Online Spanish Tutoring

Online Spanish TutoringIn spite of the hundreds of programs that claim to offer you Spanish learning, online Spanish tutoring remains one of the best ways to learn how to speak Spanish fluently. It's especially popular with younger adults as they're more easily motivated and it's less expensive. If you've been considering a Spanish program but are not sure if it's right for you, here are some reasons why online Spanish tutoring is the most popular way to learn Spanish.First, Spanish doesn't have the cultural baggage that other languages have. Spanish has become one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, which makes it easier to adapt to. While other languages may contain the same sounds that we use when speaking English, Spanish is an entirely different language and is much more complicated and nuanced. Additionally, having someone who is able to teach you the basics is a lot more convenient than trying to do it on your own. You'll be able to study for longer periods of ti me and even get plenty of help and guidance throughout the process.Secondly, many online Spanish tutoring programs allow you to study at your own pace. Since you'll be paying for your lessons, it might be harder to learn at a slow pace, but this isn't always the case. If you have the time and are motivated, it's easy to study at your own pace as long as you choose a Spanish program that offers a consistent schedule. Many online Spanish tutoring programs will let you review your work at your own pace, so you can decide if it's appropriate for you.Third, many online Spanish tutoring programs let you try out the program before deciding if it's right for you. Some programs will allow you to take a trial course before signing up for anything. This is helpful because sometimes there are false advertising claims by companies to get you to purchase their products. By taking a few moments to look around and see what other people think of the onlineSpanish tutoring that you're interested in, you'll be able to make a more informed decision.Fourth, online Spanish tutoring allows you to take the materials with you. In addition to being convenient and a good value, many Spanish learning programs let you download or print the materials before you begin your study. This saves you both time and money. There are programs available that charge for the materials, which is understandable as they want to make money off of you, but if you want to learn for free, then you have a choice of where to get your materials.Fifth, many online Spanish tutoring programs provide numerous study resources to supplement your lessons. These include audio files that you can listen to and practice to improve your listening skills, as well as quizzes, flash cards, worksheets, and other materials that you can use. These materials can be added to your lessons as you go. This is helpful because many times there are unexpected problems that arise when you're taking a course that is just designed to prepar e you for a job interview or a visit to a store.There are a number of things that online Spanish tutoring can offer you. With many programs offering an excellent program and great value, you shouldn't have any difficulty finding one that's right for you. Whether you're a busy college student who's looking for a fun way to learn Spanish or you want to study Spanish outside of your home, online Spanish tutoring can be an excellent choice.

5 Things That Happen When Kids Have Too Much Screen Time

5 Things That Happen When Kids Have Too Much Screen Time Tips from a Private Orange County Tutor: 5 Things That Happen When Kids Have Too Much Screen Time Tips from a Private Orange County Tutor: 5 Things That Happen When Kids Have Too Much Screen Time We all know that its not good for kids to spend their whole day watching TV or playing video games. However, screen time also includes looking at a computer, tablet, or cell phone.  Its important to think about having an appropriate balance because extended screen time can be a detriment in and of itself but may also take away from important activities that children should experience. So what are the downsides of too much screen time? 1. Time away from nature When kids are on their computers or tablets most of the afternoon, theyre not spending time outside playing with their peers or enjoying nature. Its important for people of all ages to have an opportunity to go outside when the weather is nice. Time in nature makes people more relaxed, can help kids stay calm and focused, and alleviate stress. Every hour a student is at their screen unnecessarily is an hour they could be enjoying the outdoors 2. Time in solitude When kids are at a screen, they are not interacting with other kids. Playing a video game with another live player in another state doesnt count.   Although video games and social media can be fun, is important that young kids dont spend too much time in solitude. This period is a huge transition when children can learn valuable social skills that will help them in the classroom and their social lives. Many students find it difficult to resolve small conflicts and follow directions in the classroom if they spend most of their day distracted by a computer screen or video game console (READ: What is an Experimental Section on a Standardized Test?). 3. Not enough sleep The blue light emanating from computers and tablets tends to keep people of all ages awake past their ideal bedtime. Its especially important for growing kids and teens to get enough sleep so they can rest and recover from the day before and be prepared to succeed in the classroom the next day. Additionally, teens that get caught up on social media sites will often distract themselves from enjoying a restful period before they go off to sleep (READ: Irvine AP Tutor: How Many AP Classes are Too Many?). 4. Lack of concentration Many kids struggle with concentration in general. However, younger students who have particular difficulty focusing on assignments or directions are often the same children who have unlimited screen time. Children are now using screens at school to complete assignments and do research in addition to any social screen time they spend at home. Although screen time is a side effect of some precious research materials, its important to keep the time limited when possible so that students dont lose their concentration altogether. 5. Too much work? Extended screen time may also be a symptom of too much homework. Students, especially as they get into high school, have hours upon hours of homework to do each day. If teens come home from school and sit in front of a laptop or tablet all afternoon and evening, they might be totally overwhelmed with academics. Its important to look at how much homework a student has for each class and see if any adjustments can be made. Perhaps they need to practice speed reading or learn to take notes more efficiently. They might need help learning how to skim through the important material to find key terms and definitions. Students shouldnt have to work on academics 12 hours a day, but if they are spending a ton of time at a screen, it’s probably an indication that they simply have too much homework to complete in one study session. Having your son or daughter work with a private Orange County tutor from TutorNerds will get them away from their phones. Our tutors are fun, interactive, and experienced in getting students to enjoy schoolwork. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Getting Through College On A Low Income

Getting Through College On A Low Income Image via Isorepublic.com Get as much financial aid as you can Fill out the FAFSA application every year You have likely heard of FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before. This application will match you with financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, and loans, provided by the federal government that you qualify for. They will determine how much financial aid you qualify for by calculating your family’s “expected family contribution” (how much your family is expected to pay for your school expenses based on how much money they make). As the name implies, the application itself is free to fill out, and it could possibly provide you with a good amount of financial aid. It might look intimidating at first, but there are online resources that can help you fill out the FAFSA. Filling out the FAFSA every year can help you get the federal financial aid you need. Be careful about the loans you take out As a college student, you might need to take out student loans. It might be your only option to pay for college. However, you should be careful about the loans you take out because loans are certainly not “free money.” They will need to be paid back with interest. You will likely be offered some loans, but do some research on them before you accept. Figure out what type of loan it is (and some loans might be better for you than others), and most importantly, how much the interest will be. It’s also a good idea to know when you need to start paying it off. Some loans will allow you to defer payment up to six months after you graduate, other loans will require you to start paying as soon as you graduate. If you will need to take out a loan, be mindful of which ones you take out. If you can, get a job or start a “side hustle” Being a student, in and of itself, is a full-time job. But if you can find the time and energy, it would be a good idea to have a stream of income (or multiple streams of income!). You can do this by getting a job either on or off-campus, or by starting a “side hustle.” It could be anything, from working at a local coffee shop to working as a student researcher in a lab on campus. As far as a side hustle, you can start your own business and offer a product or service. These things will provide you with some extra money to alleviate the financial burden of being a student. If you can spare some time in your busy life as a student, consider getting a job or starting a side hustle. Visit the financial aid office often It’s a good idea to visit your school’s financial aid office often, as this will allow you to stay on top of your financial aid situation. It is an opportunity to make sure you are not missing out on any potential grants, scholarships, or loans you are eligible for. Your school might offer scholarships they don’t advertise, and you want to make sure you know about them! Sometimes, the only way to find out is asking them straight up in person. Visiting is also a good opportunity to let them know if there have been any significant changes to your financial life, like a new job. Visit your college’s financial aid often to make sure you are staying on top of your financial aid situation and are getting the aid you need. Search online for scholarships Your financial aid office should not be the only place where you look for scholarships. If you do a quick Google search, you will find many online scholarship databases like Fastweb that will help you find scholarships you are eligible for. There are many scholarships listed, so it might take a while to sift through them to find a couple that work for you. Still, it’s worth scouring the Internet to find a good scholarship. You never know if you will find the scholarship that will be just what you need to pay off your tuition. Be frugal with your school supplies Rent your textbooks One of the biggest scams college students fall for is buying their textbooks brand new. Don’t let yourself fall for it! Buying all your textbooks brand new at the campus bookstore can cost you hundreds of dollars. Instead of buying your textbooks brand new, rent them or buy them used from an online retailer. For example, Textsurf is a great place to compare textbook prices and then buy or rent textbooks. Personally, I would recommend renting your textbooks, since it will save you money and space in your bookshelf. It is usually cheaper than buying, and at the end of the semester, you can send the book back (so it will not sit on your bookshelf collecting dust). If you prefer to read your textbooks on your computer or tablet, you can rent or buy an electronic textbook, which is also inexpensive. A great way to get through college on a budget is to rent your textbooks rather than buying them. Reuse your school supplies from last year Although it’s fun to walk through the “back to school” aisle at Target, it might not be the smartest thing to do if you are a college student on a budget. But be honest with yourself: do you really need another set of pens or pencils? Do you really need another binder? A new backpack? Most of the time, you don’t need these supplies brand new. (Of course, if your binder or backpack is falling apart, you have my permission to buy a new one. But if it’s still functional, you don’t need to get a new one.) Take a minute to decide which school supplies from last year you can reuse. This will save you money in the long run! Take advantage of resources you have as a student Use student discounts One big resource you have available to you as a student is your student discount. At many stores, if you present your student ID, you could get a substantial discount. For example, at the Apple store, you can get a student discount. These stores often don’t advertise their student discounts, so don’t be shy to ask for it when you go shopping. Chances are good that stores nearby your campus will offer a student discount, even if they don’t advertise it. Even online services, such as Amazon Prime and Spotify, offer good student discounts. Be sure to take advantage of those student discounts! Attend the free events around campus Entertainment often costs a lot of money, especially if it’s close to a college campus. However, your campus likely has events taking place every so often, and almost every time, these events will be free. For example, instead of going to the movie theater (which is expensive), go to a free concert at your school. As you walk around campus, pay attention to the signs you see posted, as that is the place your school will advertise these events. Special events aren’t the only entertainment you can find for free (or cheap) on campus. Your school might have its own movie theater, stage, or museum that you can visit. These free or cheap entertainment ideas will help you save money, and will definitely help you get through college on a low income. Visit the campus library Similarly, buying books can get expensive quickly. Instead of buying books from a local bookstore, borrow it from the campus library or a local library, as it will be totally free. Take advantage of these free resources! Get some academic help As a college student on a budget, it’s a good idea to try to graduate as soon as you can, because you don’t want to pay for any additional semesters of college. To help you graduate as soon as possible, you should get some academic help by visiting your advisor. Your advisor will ensure you don’t miss any required classes and that you will have completed all your requirements in four years. (You really don’t want to be a second semester senior and find out you have not yet finished all your requirements!) Save yourself some money and graduate on time by visiting your advisor and making sure you are on track. Another way to keep yourself on track is to ensure you don’t fail any classes, especially not your required classes (since you will likely need to re-take it, which will force you to increase your course load for the next semester). Work out at the campus gym Just like entertainment is expensive, fitness is expensive. Even though you are young, your health should be a priority, but you don’t need to sacrifice your budget to keep yourself healthy. Instead of buying a gym membership and working out there, work out your campus gym. Your campus gym will likely be free of charge (or for a small fee). This way, you will still be able to work out while still saving money. This is a great way to stay healthy in college on a low income. Choose a good living situation Housing and roommates To get through college on a low income, it’s important to make good choices with your living situation. You have many choices as a college student. For example, you can choose to live on or off-campus, and with or without roommates. Living in a dorm on campus will generally be less expensive than living in an apartment off-campus. Similarly, living with roommates will be cheaper than living on your own, since you will be able to split the rent cost with your roommates. These lifestyle will choices will help you save money. Owning a car Besides your living space, the biggest lifestyle choice you will need to make is deciding whether or not to own a car. Buying a car is a big expense, but it’s more than just the price you pay for it at the dealer. Every month, you will need to budget for gas, insurance, and parking passes. Not to mention, you will also need to budget for any unexpected repair costs that can and will happen. For that reason, I would recommend you don’t own a car to save you from those costs. Instead, take the campus shuttle bus, public transportation, and ride-sharing services to help you get around the city while still saving money. Cut cable Another lifestyle choice you will need to make is whether or not to keep cable. Cable is expensive, but with the many streaming services we have available today, cable is not necessary. Instead of cable, opt for YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu. With these options, you don’t need to spend all that money on cable; just pick the service that has the content you like and only pay for that one. Cutting cable can help you get through college on a low income. Image via Isorepublic.com Take good care of the money you already have Pay all your bills on time While you are still a student, it’s a good time to start practicing good money management habits that will last for the rest of your life. Plus, it’s important to take care of the money you do have right now. One of the best ways to take care of your money is to pay all your bills on time. This will help you avoid late fees. If you have a credit card, pay it off in full every month It is especially critical that you pay your credit card bill on time. Getting a credit card is a good way to build your credit, but only if you are confident that you can manage it correctly by paying it off IN FULL every month. If you can’t do that, don’t get the credit card, because it will only lower your credit score. Clearly, college life is expensive. Still, you can make it through college on a low income if you follow the tips we discussed in this post.

Make Your Mom Feel Special on Mothers Day - Aloha Mind Math USA - ALOHA Mind Math

Make Your Mom Feel Special on Mothers Day USA Mother’s Day is around the corner (12th May this year) and it’s a special day to show your mom how much you care. While most of us go by the motions of daily life by taking our mothers for granted, this is a day celebrate how truly special our mom is. Life would not be the same without showing our gratitude and appreciation to the beautiful woman who brought us into this world. Make your mom feel special with these simple yet beautiful ways on Mother’s Day. Cook Mom’s Favorite Meal While most of our moms have spent a good portion of their lives in the kitchen preparing our daily meals, fussing over what we want to eat, baking those gorgeous muffins and cakes on our birthdays, and tirelessly looking after the needs of the family and kids, doesn’t it make the day all the more special to give our moms a break from the kitchen and cook them their favorite meal? Yes, indeed! Spa Day Your mom needs pampering for all the long hours she puts at work, to keep the house well, take care of the family and everything else in between. Show her a relaxing time at a spa where she can spend the day getting a facial, massage, manicure, pedicure and a foot reflexology treatment. Bring Home a Special Cake Bring home a special cake with a theme that describes her well. It could be touching, entertaining, funny or just simply heartfelt. Get your mom to cut the cake and make her feel special on Mother’s Day. Handmade Gift What better idea than to make something for your mom yourself. Whether it is a handmade card or a knit cardigan, your mom is going to appreciate what you have done to make her feel special by going that extra mile to show her how much you care. No matter what you choose to give your mom, however big or small, the idea is to make her feel special, appreciated and loved. ALOHA Wishes all the moms a Happy Mother’s Day! At ALOHA we have learning programs that enhance the overall learning development of your child. Visit our website for further information http://www.aloha-usa.com/

The importance of self-esteem in your child - ALOHA Mind Math

The importance of self-esteem in your child As adults we may have gone through enough challenges in life to understand what self-esteem is all about. Do we give it the same amount of importance where our children are concerned? Not all parents realize the impact our outlook and reactions have on our children. Having a healthy self-esteem is very important as children undergo so many challenges not only in school but among peer groups also. Some of the things we can do at home in order to improve self-esteem for kids are: Encourage and support This is especially important in situations where children have failed or not done well in something. If we do not teach them how to have a positive outlook and have confidence in themselves, it may result in low self-esteem. Avoid negative language Both in speech and body language, the best approach is to use positive terminology and avoid negative language when there is a need to rebuke the child. Terms such as “stupid” or “dumb” have a very strong impact, and they are very difficult for young children to recover from. Communicate with your child To head off self-esteem issues, it is important to have a healthy channel of communication with your child. In this way, you will always know when the child may be having trouble, whether with peers or anything else in school. By discussing with your child about how to increase self-esteem, they will learn how not to let small failures get in their way. Teaching respect Teaching children respect for others is one of the best ways to teach them to respect themselves. Creating a family environment where everyone respects each other will help to bring children and self-esteem together. Once children develop a sense of self-esteem, their confidence in facing different challenges will definitely increase. Parents need not worry as much about aspects like negative peer pressure or exam stress, as the self-esteem forms an umbrella for your child. One great way to build a sense of confidence in your child is to introduce them to Abacus and Mental Math classes at Aloha USA. For more details please see: http://www.aloha-usa.com

Why Get a PhD in Chemistry?

Why Get a PhD in Chemistry?In recent years, the number of universities offering a PhD in Chemistry has increased enormously. A few years ago, such PhD programs would be relatively rare; but in the last decade or so, more are popping up each year.Nowadays, it is not uncommon for students to apply for a PhD in Chemistry without having had a postgraduate education in chemistry. Some major chemical companies, such as Dow Chemical, do not even have a chemical engineer on staff. They have their own departments of electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, but it is unlikely that a student with a PhD in Chemistry will be particularly well-suited to those fields.There are also a few problems with pursuing a PhD in Chemistry that environmental scientists and other physicists often face. Usually, a PhD in Chemistry is regarded as the 'final' PhD, as the very best students are frequently the only ones who are chosen for a Ph.D. program. However, it is not a guarantee that any given stud ent will be good enough to get into an area where he or she might benefit from a PhD.When you go to get your PhD in Chemistry, there is usually a program at the University of Cambridge. Cambridge is one of the top universities in the world and one of the most prestigious for studying the chemical sciences. Like most British universities, Cambridge is highly ranked in the research intensity index, where research faculty are evaluated by the extent to which they devote their careers to the research needs of the university. This means that you could very well earn the highest possible degree, but a PhD in Chemistry from another university may not be suitable for you.Students with a PhD in Chemistry are usually considered very well-qualified for careers in industry, as almost all companies have 'expertise' in the field. For this reason, many chemical engineers end up working in the chemical industry as analysts, or find jobs at 'strategic' companies that specialize in certain sectors. M any PhDs in Chemistry end up doing work in universities, either in the lab, in teaching, or in pharmaceutical companies, and this has the added benefit of making you well-qualified for jobs in these companies.But not everyone can make it into the industry at all. There are also plenty of jobs in the academic environment, especially in very interesting sectors, such as molecular biology and pharmaceuticals, but you will still need to have a PhD in Chemistry in order to get these positions.It is true that if you want to become a successful chemist, then getting a PhD in Chemistry is one of the most important steps towards that goal. But if you already have a PhD in Chemistry, you should not consider it as a 'bonus' to the degree, but rather as a necessary step in pursuing your dream of being a chemist.

Why They Would Want To Help Their Students With A Home Tutor

Why They Would Want To Help Their Students With A Home TutorFor students who want to complete their education from home, a home tutor can make the whole process much easier. There are many reasons why they would like to help their students. They can help them by giving them some extra information that they may not have known. This is because they are very experienced in their field and can give students some of the most valuable tips that they could possibly need.Students are also able to find out how to find their own private tutors to learn at home. The online tutor community is a great place to find a person that can help you learn on your own. You will be able to find the teacher of your choice through a simple search engine or even a simple chat and you will be able to talk with him about the courses he is teaching and if there are any related topics that you need to know more about.The program teaches all of the subjects that you may want to learn. If you would like to take cou rses in another country, this program will allow you to do so. There are plans for learning to speak Chinese, French, German, and Spanish that you can choose from.Most importantly, the tutor is committed to helping his students and is ready to take every step necessary to make sure that he will get the student a high quality education. This is what makes a good tutor very special. There is no reason to choose to study at home if the student is unhappy with the teacher that he has chosen to work with.A good tutor will make sure that he is communicating with his students and with parents. The conversations will be friendly and it will be all about the student and how he wants to learn. The teacher will put all of the student's concerns into perspective and he will be one of the best teachers that a student will ever have.The student will also feel appreciated and the lessons will be interesting and the student will learn something. When this happens, a student can concentrate on more important things like learning and achieving their goals and dreams.Student life will also improve when a tutor is working with them. They will notice that they are in a good environment and they will enjoy the lessons that they are getting. When they get the motivation to do better in the course of the day, they will want to do better in the course of the week.

Solving Linear Inequalities

Solving Linear Inequalities Linear inequalities is the inequalities where the degree of the variables is one. An inequality equation can contain variables, constants and exponents for the variables. Inequality is the equation which has less than or greater than symbols in it i.e. and respectively There are different mathematical operations that can be used in an inequality like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Example 1: Find the solution of the inequality equation 7 x 1 20? Solution: Given is the inequality equation with one unknown variables x. 7 x - 1 20 is a linear inequality with greater than sign. Add 1 on both sided of the equation. This gives, 7 x - 1 + 1 10 + 1; 7 x 21; Now divide the inequality by 7 on both sides of the equation. Therefore, 7 x/ 7 21 /7; x 3. Hence the solution to the linear inequality is x 3. Example 2: Find the solution of the inequality equation 55 x - 16 94? Solution: Given is the inequality equation with one unknown variables x. 55 x - 16 94 is a linear inequality with lesser than sign. Add 16 on both sided of the equation. This gives, 55 x - 16 + 16 94 + 16; 55 x 110; Now divide the inequality by 55 on both sides of the equation. Therefore, 55 x/ 55 110 /55; x 2. Hence the solution to the linear inequality is x 2.

The Cost of Travelling in Russia

The Cost of Travelling in Russia How Much Does it Cost to Travel Around Russia? ChaptersValue Of The RubleWays To Spend When In RussiaSpending in Russia: An OverviewRussian Accommodation, the Most Expensive Part of Your BudgetEating During Your Time in RussiaHow Much Should You Budget for Leisure Activities in Russia?A Sample Budget for Travelling Around RussiaTips On How To Reduce Expenditure Costs In Russia“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” - UnknownThe Russian Federation is far more popular with tourists than it was 20 years ago just after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union, which marked the end of the USSR as a country. You can now visit pretty much all of Russia’s nature and cities. According to the Travel Tourism Report 2017, tourism in Russia added 860 billion rubles to the country’s GDP, a figure that had been growing since 2000.Tourism brings in money because tourists are spending.So have you got your money ready to spend in Russia? Have you considered how you will manage your spending? Have you already set a budget?In this article, we're going to look at budgeting for a trip to Russia, how much accommodation will cost you, the cost of food, and planning activities so that you can be prepared in advance for your expenditure.how many Rubles you get for your money right? To put it into perspective for you, XE Currency Converter indicates that, on 23rd May 2019, 1 Great British Pound (GBP) = 82.09 Russian Rubles. This means that if you take £500 of spending money with you then you will be walking around with 41,051.75 Rubles on your person! It all sounds pretty good until you come to the realisation that a hamburger at a fast food store is costing you five hundred Rubles...If you thought you were good at spending then in Russia you will feel like you are really good!Ways To Spend When In RussiaNowadays, there are so many different ways to spend when you're abroad, so tourists don't have to rely on exchanging currency and then guarding their wallets for the duration of the ir trip. If you are going away for two or more weeks, what are you supposed to do with all of your spending money? Are you expected to trust all of the hotel staff and leave notes in your room or do you take the cash out with you and risk being pick-pocketed? Of course, there is the option to use a safe at some hotels or you can now use e-money which makes everything a whole safer and much more convenient too. Let's explore the options.CashIf you take foreign currency with you, it may be straightforward but what happens at the end of the trip when you discover that you either didn't take enough cash, meaning that you have to withdraw cash or pay to spend on your credit card, or that you took too much and will probably lose out when you try to reconvert it back. Either that or you'll spend more than you really need to be by trying to get rid of all your loose change!Another thing to consider when getting currency converted is to check the best deals around as, believe it or not, you will do much better from some places than others.Credit/Debit cardIf you take your credit or debit card abroad, you can spend as much or as little as you want but watch out for foreign usage charges, withdrawal fees and, of course, cards getting blocked by your bank (even if you've informed them of your travel plans a lot of the time!).Prepaid cardA prepaid card is a somewhat new tool but it's very handy as you can load cash onto it and spend it in shops or withdraw from an ATM with no charges applicable and, what's more, they only let you spend what's on the card. This is only useful though if you have physical funds to load on in advance, rather than using credit to pay off at a later date.Spending in Russia: An OverviewPrices of general living have risen rapidly in Russia in recent years, and St. Petersburg is now on par with, if not slightly more expensive than, most major European cities when it comes to grocery shopping, eating out, nightlife, entertainment, and sightseeing.Sa ying that, the cost of entering museums and attending cultural events is generally lower than elsewhere in Europe, but some popular venues still operate a dual price system which means that foreigners pay more than a Russian citizen would. Unfortunately, this cannot be avoided at certain landmarks, like the Mariinsky Theatre.With the bad, comes a few good surprises, however. Public transport in big cities like St Petersburg is on the whole quite cheap, and even taxis are quite reasonable.If you plan to drink most nights when in Russia, you'll be pleased to hear that Vodka is inexpensive when compared to other spirits and, if you smoke, then you may notice that cigarettes are more affordable than at home.In terms of travel and accommodation, so long as you plan your trip well then you get away with spending very little for the duration of your trip! See our advice and tips below on booking these all important aspects of your holiday. LavaRussian Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson fre e!Discover all our tutors LarisaRussian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors InaRussian Teacher 4.88 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IrynaRussian Teacher 5.00 (8) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvgeniaRussian Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnastassiaRussian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NikolaRussian Teacher 5.00 (4) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MargaritaRussian Teacher 5.00 (3) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRussian Accommodation, the Most Expensive Part of Your BudgetWhile you can budget for your trip away quite simply, if you want to avoid any unpleasant surprises, you should budget for what we’ll call “fixed costs” before you travel to Russia. When we say “fixed costs”, we’re referring to something you’ll have to pay for regardless of what you’re doing, and accommodation is part of this. When considering your acco mmodation in Russia, you should consider:The type of accommodationThe location of the accommodationThe services providedThe comfortYouth hostels will generally be cheaper than hotels. (Source: Hans)These criteria can easily double the price of accommodation. Even if you choose between full or half board.  The question you need to ask yourself is “Am I going to Russia for a comfortable experience or am I on a strict budget?”If you’re going to Russia to relax, you might want a hotel with a spa, like the Azimut Hotel Olympic Moscow or the Hotel Kosmos, for example. Generally speaking, hotels are about half as expensive as they are in the UK and will cost even less if you’re in cities other than Moscow such as Saint Petersburg or Kazan.There are plenty of great hotels where you’ll get far more for your money than you would here in the UK.To save money, you can even look at getting an Airbnb or a dacha (a Russian country house). If you’re travelling in a group, this is a grea t way to split the cost of your accommodation. A lot of Russian flats and houses include multiple rooms so you won’t have any trouble finding something for 4, 5, or 6 people. Make sure that you check whether or not fees are included when you make your reservations.If you’re on a really strict budget, you can always check out youth hostels. With some places costing just a couple of quid for the night, you’ll be hard-pressed to find cheaper places to stay. There are 200 in Moscow and dozens in other cities around Russia.Be careful about certain hostels that are away from the centre of cities as these are sometimes unregulated illegal establishments.  You should also be wary of prices displayed in pounds as they’ll fluctuate according to the exchange rate.Eating During Your Time in RussiaYou can eat really well in Russia for very little. However, you’re going to have to step outside your comfort zone and go through restaurant menus in Russian.You can enjoy Russian cuisine on a budget. (Source: quinntheislander)Why?Well, you could always spend your time in Russia eating fast food like McDonald’s or Dunkin’ Donuts. It’d be a shame to be in a country and eat stuff that you can get anywhere in the world.It’s probably a better idea to go to proper restaurants than to eat street food. There’s no service charge like you get in Italy and you’re free to leave a tip or not, unlike in the United States where it’s pretty much obligatory.That said, there are Russian chains as well if you want to eat on a budget:Teremok, a fast food place that does traditional Russian dishes.Lepim y Varim, specialists in pelmenis.Pelmenya, another place that does pelmenis.Varenychna N °1, for reasonably-priced specialities.There are tonnes of different Russian specialities, but you should definitely try the following:Borscht, a type of soup.Beef stroganoff, a classic.Pelmini and vareniki, types of dumplings.Shashlik, a type of meat skewers.Pierogi, another type of dumpl ing.Sirniki, desserts that are somewhere between pancakes and doughnuts.Vodka.There are pelmenis for all tastes.So how much does this cost?For around £1.50 you can get a pierogi and a pelmeni and a beer for around £4. You don’t need a lot of to get food in Russia. On the other hand, you’ll end up paying up to three or four times the cost if you end up going to a chic restaurant.You’ll be looking at around £20 per person if you want to eat in a decent restaurant. Things can go up to £30 per head if you go somewhere really nice.How Much Should You Budget for Leisure Activities in Russia?There are plenty of things to do in Russia. It is the biggest country in the world, after all! There are thousands of activities in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and hundreds in Kazan according to TripAdvisor.If you want to see the ballet, you're going to have to budget for it. (Source: skeeze)Of course, not everything you can do in Russia is free. This depends on what you’ll do. There’s no l imit to what you can do in Russia. Other than your budget, that is...Think about getting tourist cards such as the Moscow Pass: This will cost you around £50 for 40 museums, 3 excursions, for 3 days.Choose 2 or 3 activities that you will definitely do like the State Hermitage Museum or the Kremlin, for example.Set a spending limit for other activities like visiting an Orthodox Russian monastery, a trip across a tundra in a 4x4, or a boat trip.If you’re travelling around Russia, you should budget for every activity you want to do. The problem is that there’s so much you can do. For example, you could go to Saint Petersburg, get on a boat to Finland, and end up spending nearly £100.You can also get a dog sledge for around £50 or a snowmobile for £60. A guided trip to the State Hermitage Museum will cost around £40 (even though it’s definitely worth it). Other than the cost of accessing the beaches at the Black Sea, walking around won’t cost you anything.If you want to do special activities in Russia, you’re going to have to get your wallet ready. Whether you’re travelling on your own or with your family, you’re also going to need to take differing tastes into account. Children mightn’t appreciate national parks, for example.Let’s not forget the souvenirs and knick-knacks you can buy in Russia. There are figurines, Russian army insignia, etc. You could easily spend between £50 and £75 per person.Find out more about the best things to see in Russia.A Sample Budget for Travelling Around RussiaWe’ve mentioned accommodation, food, and leisure, the main expenses you’ll have whenever you travel anywhere. However, there are also other expenses you need to consider:Administrative costsFeesTransport costsInsuranceTransport can cost you around £1 per trip or £20 for a travel card for a week in Moscow, for example. You might want insurance that covers repatriation in the event of death, etc. Shop around for different insurance policies.Dependi ng on how you travel will affect your budget. (Source: jackmac34)This can quickly add up to £300 to your costs in addition to accommodation, food, and leisure.  There are also certain obligatory costs:Russian visas for touristsFlights to and from RussiaAgain, this can cost around £300.When you complete your visa application, you'll need to have already booked your accommodation before contacting the Russian embassy or consulate. If you're going on a tour, such as the Trans-Siberian Railway or a cruise, you'll need confirmation from the tour operator.Generally speaking, you won’t need to go to a travel agency to get your trip to Russia organised. You can save around a quarter of the price doing it yourself.There are different visas so make sure you get the right one, especially if you plan on stopping in neighbouring countries like China, Mongolia, Ukraine, or Belarus, before your departure. Make sure you check when your passport is valid until. The same is true if you’re going to the Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia) or Baltic States (Lithuania, Estonia, Lativa) when you’re getting your visa for Russia.Tips On How To Reduce Expenditure Costs In RussiaNow that you know how much roughly everything costs when in Russia, wouldn't you now like to know how you could slash these prices even more? Below are a few tips on how to save a bit of pocket money, especially when visiting some of the larger cities.File your visa yourself The process isn't all that complicated so to save on agency fees (which can often double the price), submit your own visa application at a cost of around £120. Book your plane tickets in advance We are well aware that nobody leaves it until the last minute to book plane tickets unless they know they can get a good deal, but there are many price variations according to how far ahead you book. When travelling as far as Russia you probably won't want to leave it until a week before you are due to travel, so take our advice and book your flight s around 3 months in advance. This is close enough to give you time to plan the rest of your trip and also far away enough to get you the best possible prices on air fees. If you still want to save more, you have the option of making a flight with stops.Book your hotel through Russian websites The Russians have hotel comparison sites just like us, with one of the best being the Russian Ostrovok reservation platform which will no doubt save you more money than if you were browsing the UK version of Booking.com. Also, to save even further, you might find Airbnb properties going cheaper, especially if you are a large group of friends or a big family travelling together.Use the metro wherever possible The metro is the cheapest way to get around the city (except by foot, of course) and they have a great system whereby you buy a voucher with 20 trips loaded on it (which you can share with your friends). Taxis aren't too expensive as we've discovered but if you use them regularly for short trips then you will rack up money.Buy a tourist card to cut down the costs of visiting tourist attractions As we've mentioned, some sites charge tourists way above the price that is asked of local citizens, so to avoid paying loads visiting some of the most popular attractions then why not buy a tourist card (in Moscow this is called the Moscow Citypass and in St Petersburg it is the Petersburg Card, for example) which could, but may not always, make your day trips a little cheaper. If you are a student with a valid student card, you may find that this gets you a few reductions too.Purchase a Russian SIM card If you intend to travel around Russia for a while, then your best bet to keep call costs down is to buy a Russian pay as you go SIM card. There is also a prepaid SIM available which, for £5, gives you a certain number of free minutes and Internet usage for a fraction of what you would pay if using your English phone.So have you got your budget ready for Russia?Whether you're visiting the Golden Ring, Siberia, Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok, St Petersburg, Irkutsk, or Moscow, the world's largest country has no shortage of things to do and see!