BOOKMARK THESE GETAWAYS FOR LONG WEEKENDS!

We all know that Mumbai life can get a little crazy. The morning fight to catch a train from Andheri and the evening trouble of getting from point A to point B at Dadar station can really take a toll on a Mumbaikar. Ek break toh banta hai!

So, when a long weekend comes calling, Mumbaikars love picking it up on the first ring. Away from the city’s hustle and bustle, Mumbaikars, whether an owner or residing in a rental flat are always on the lookout to find those secluded and off beat places to chill and get ready for a long working week. So, if you are new to this city or someone who has lived here for a long time and can really enjoy a good weekend, it is better for you to bookmark these places. They might just come in handy later.

·         Diveagar

Look beyond the beaches of Alibaug and visit the pristine beach which is about 4 hour drive from Mumbai and explore the beauty of Diveagar. Once here, you will forget all your worries and lead the good life.. well at least for the weekend! J Return to work completely relaxed.

·         Malshejghat

This gorgeous located 120 km from Mumbai might just be what you need to get away from the city and be one with nature. It is the perfect weekend getaway for a peaceful holiday and is not commercialized at all. A bird watcher’s paradise, indulge in activities like trekking, hiking, and boating and take away the memory of a lifetime.

·         Manori

Located just 50 kms from Mumbai, the pristine beach of Manori is every traveller’s solitude. A beach which is not crowded, it is the perfect place for fun activities, some heavy duty sports like basketball, cycling, trekking, swimming. And if you aren’t in the mood for some activity, just laze around the beauty and experience salvation under the sunset.

·         Bordi

This place is situated 140 km from Mumbai and the clean beachfront is enough for you to have an Out-of-Mumbai beach experience. The sea here is safe for swimming as the water level do not rise above waist for half a km. However, if you do plan to visit this place, homestay is your only option and they are just as fun.

·         Kolad

Are you an adventurous person? Then, this just might be the place for you. A perfect getaway for the adventurous souls, this place will have different activity for you each day, from kayaking to trekking on the Sahyadri Mountains.

Mumbai can really be tough on all its children. And a little time away from our home can rejuvenate us for an even greater stay in Mumbai. The city is meant to strengthen us and the places around is the escape when the city shows too much of its tough love.

So, get your bags packed already and find the adventurous soul in you or ignite the young spirit in these perfect getaways with your flatmate for the upcoming long weekends around Mumbai.

Whole new meaning to "getting inked"

Ok so overnight our economy has changed. Suddenly on the night of 8th November, the currency that we had kept safe in our lockers turned to dust. There has been mixed reaction to this announcement - disbelief, joy, frustration, anger, respect, admiration and a lot of chest thumping.. Rightly so, as BJP has done something that Congress did not dare to do during its 10-year preceding reign. 

But the government under-anticipated the inconvenience caused to the common man. In India, there is a huge gap between policy declaration and policy execution. As usual on the delivery front, there is a serious lack of co-ordination and organisation leading to chaos and confusion. The media has been continuously covering the long queues outside banks and ATMs. There isn't enough legal currency to keep the country cash sufficient. The common man being interviewed is all praise for the move but is finding it so difficult to get his cash exchanged or deposited or withdraw. 

But to add to this confusion, for old cash exchange, certain unscrupulous elements were deploying a number of people at various banks to exchange their cash illicitly. In reality, each person can exchange the old notes only once upto Rs. 4500 till 24th November 2016. Such people are queuing up again and again to exchange notes thus clogging up the lines and slowing down the whole process causing great inconvenience to honest citizens. 

When the government realised this, it came up with the idea of inking the citizens who come for exchange of notes. This gives a whole new meaning to getting inked! But instead of cribbing about it, it is in national interest to co-operate with the government and abide by it. This too shall pass and I look forward to a new era of level economy. 

Jai Hind! 

Idiot's guide to survive cashless - Give up 500/1000 notes

So the man has done it! Congratulations to Mr. Modi for a historic step towards corruption-free and safe governance. You have to hand it to him.. He has taken this step in the interest of the nation without worrying about how it'll affect his popularity and completely shunned votebank politics. This, at least, deserves a salute!

The night we received the news that 500 and 1000 rupee notes have been banned, it was like everyone's thinking processes overshot. Some headed to the banks.. of various rivers the others went out shopping for tickets to nowhereland and gold while still others were left befuddled. It made us realise that the circulation of 500 and 1000 rupee notes had become so common that the overnight demonetisation step felt like a bolt of lightening! But these past few days have taught me that it is indeed quite possible to live without the darling denominations! Here is my take:

1. Do not shun digital banking: If you have been avoiding the usage of banking apps and websites, now is the time to get started! At first it does present itself as a task but it eases your life a great deal. Life becomes so much easier when you take finances in your control.. completely! Remember to keep your username and password safe like for any other digital account.

  2. Use digital wallets: PayTM, Mobikwik and Freecharge are some of the popular mobile wallets. Their usage has been increasing day-by-day as they bring in more and more service providers under their umbrella. You cannot escape them. They fill in the gap where organised markets are missing. You will soon be able to pay your several 'walas' - rickshawala, bhajiwala, taxiwala, doodhwala - through digital wallets. With an array of discounts, coupons and cashback offers, they make perfect sense now. 

3. Use your plastic cards: If you have horror of the plastic, take part in your own version of Fear Factor and take the plunge. The convenience that it offers is worth getting over your fear. BUT, you have to use it prudently. Apply for a card with low credit limit. Be careful with your passwords, link it with your bank accounts, do not store any sensitive data on the phone - these are some precautionary measures to be taken.

4. Hoard some Chhutta: I know it is difficult but keep small change handy. It is very useful. Hoard it a bit and it'll be of use to you at the most unexpected moments.

5. Use common sense: With cash in hand, we feel rich and want to spend up everything specially if we are on a hot date! Now impress your girlfriend/ boyfriend by showing how digi-savvy you are. Cut down on unnecessary spending and use your money wisely!