There is an interesting micro-trend emerging on the internet at the moment. It seems that a number of people are giving up technology for Lent! While that concept is pretty far from being realised by the team here at Catholic.geek, there are plenty who are trying it out anyway!

High among the targets for fasting this Lent are the social networking sites that are becoming so prevalent in the lives of people of all ages. Facebook has over one hundred groups with hundreds of members who are giving up the site for the forty days leading up to Easter. Many participants are changing their profile picture (the little image that represents them on the network) to be a small graphic with the words ‘I’ve given up Facebook for Lent’ or have set their status to something similar.

The phenomenon is widespread enough to garner attention from some of the mainstream media. The Wall Street Journal has an article talking about parents who are giving up their newly found Facebook addiction for Lent and promising to spend that extra time with their families. Cnet has an article entitled ‘How to give up Facebook for Lent and keep your friends‘ which has tips such as writing out birthdays and other events from your Facebook calendar so you don’t forget them!

It is an interesting concept, and one that apparently is gaining more traction every year. What it does say to those of us who aren’t planning to give up Facebook or Twitter for Lent, is that participating in such ‘movements’ is one way to draw attention to Catholic causes. So, try logging in to Facebook today and searching for good Catholic groups to join. Who knows – if enough people join, it may bring that Catholic idea to the front page.

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As we start to head toward the next batch of school holidays, and summer begins to draw to a close, it becomes time for many to start thinking about where to go for this break. Of course, the economic recession is making it more and more important that cost is kept to a minimum – and the internet’s a great way to help!

When you’re looking at travelling, but don’t know which airline will be cheapest, the House of Travel website (www.houseoftravel.co.nz) is worth starting from. This website will automatically search the airlines websites for you and present you with a range of options, saving you the effort of checking each one by hand.

Grabaseat (www.grabaseat.co.nz) has daily updated specials for Air New Zealand flights, with ticket prices available that are markedly cheaper than standard fares. This is a site that you need to check every morning when you’re thinking of taking a trip away around the country – there’s often unexpected surprises available.

And for accommodation, (www.wotif.co.nz) is worth a check – this site lists accommodation at discounted rates if you’re prepared to leave your booking late. A good range of accommodation is often up for grabs.

Finally, for cheap activities at your destination, give VoucherMate (www.vouchermate.co.nz) a look – they will often have discounts on activities and meals in your planned destination!

As always, we’ve only just scratched the surface. What’s your tip for travelling on a budget – swing by www.catholic.geek.nz and help out your fellow budget traveller!

As we start to head toward the next batch of school holidays, and summer begins to draw to a close, it becomes time for many to start thinking about where to go for this break. Of course, the economic recession is making it more and more important that cost is kept to a minimum – and the internet’s a great way to help!

When you’re looking at travelling, but don’t know which airline will be cheapest, the House of Travel website (www.houseoftravel.co.nz) is worth starting from. This website will automatically search the airlines websites for you and present you with a range of options, saving you the effort of checking each one by hand.

Grabaseat (www.grabaseat.co.nz) has daily updated specials for Air New Zealand flights, with ticket prices available that are markedly cheaper than standard fares. This is a site that you need to check every morning when you’re thinking of taking a trip away around the country – there’s often unexpected surprises available.

And for accommodation, (www.wotif.co.nz) is worth a check – this site lists accommodation at discounted rates if you’re prepared to leave your booking late. A good range of accommodation is often up for grabs.

Finally, for cheap activities at your destination, give VoucherMate (www.vouchermate.co.nz) a look – they will often have discounts on activities and meals in your planned destination!

As always, we’ve only just scratched the surface. What’s your tip for travelling on a budget – swing by www.catholic.geek.nz and help out your fellow budget traveller!