How Much Does an Irish Setter Cost?

The Irish Setter, often referred to as the Red Setter or Irish Red setter, was originally bred to aid with bird hunting and is known for its excellent agility, tracking, retrieving, and pointing, making it a perfect guide for hunting.

“Dog in the swimming-pool” (CC BY 2.0) by  Ordinary Guy

 How much does an Irish setter puppy cost?

On average, the Irish setter is going to cost anywhere from as little as $550 to as much as $1,300.  Like most breeds, the price will really depend on the dog’s parents, their medical history, the breeder selling it, inclusions, age, quality and geographical location.   Your AKC registered Irish Setters will be about $800 to $1,200, whereas an Irish Setter that isn’t considered to be a purebred will be closer to $500 to $700.

On the official AKC Marketplace, those who listed their prices, asked for $850 to $1,200.

At PuppyFind.com, there were about 75 active listings, with prices ranging from $600 to $1,500.

What is going to be included in the adoption fee?

Reputable breeders, at a minimum, will include current registration papers, up-to-date vaccinations, a certified vet exam and a health guarantee.

What are the extra costs?

Don’t forget about the recurring costs, as with any pets, such as the food, accessories, grooming, obedience classes and vet visits.  A healthy dog can easily cost $700 a year, while a dog with health issues can easily cost triple this.

If the dog is going to be shipped via the air or ground, this can be an additional $200 to $400.  Many breeders will include the carrying cage with the price, but you will have to pay for the transportation.

Registering your dog with your local city can cost up to $25 for the year.

The Irish Setter does take to training quite well, but it doesn’t mean you should ignore obedience classes.  At a minimum consider training your puppy as early as you can to teach the at least the basics of sit, stay and lay down.  Obedience classes can cost $100 to $200.

Due to the feathery coat, a daily brushing is required to prevent tangles and matting.  They do shed a lot, so be prepared for many vacuum sessions.  If at all possible, consider bringing your dog to a professional groomer at least once per month.  Plan on spending close to $100 per professional grooming session.

Tips to know:

An Irish Setter’s coat is light red in color, but when it grows older, its coat turns to a rich chestnut shade.  Its coat will be short and fine from the head to the back, but the tail, ears, legs and chest areas will be feathery.

This breed can grow as tall as 27 inches and weigh up to 55 to 70 pounds, with females slightly smaller than the male.

The average life span of an Irish Setter is about 12 years on average.

Its temperament, according to its owners, is known to be high strung and filled with lots of energy that needs to be displaced daily.  They are very quick with its sense of smell and is likely to get along with just about anyone and anything that crosses its path, always being eager to please its owner. It’s an intelligent, outgoing, very sweet dog.

Consider the size of your house.  They are usually not meant for apartments because they tend to be quite active and move around frequently.   A daily long brisk walk or jog will suffice.

Common health problems include hip dysplasia and hyperthyroidism.  Irish Setters are also known to have many genetic problems, so it’s important to receive certified health screenings if you were to buy from an AKC registered breeder.

Irish Setters are very energetic, intelligent and have excellent instincts in all situations.  However, they are not known to be a guard dog and can be reckless if they do not receive the proper amount of attention.

To find a reputable breeder, you can find search the Irish Setter Club of America website.

Just like any other breeds, the Irish Setter is prone to separation anxiety.  If you allow your dog to sit alone for more than six to eight hours at a time, they may become destructive or bark constantly.

YourPureBredPuppy.com recommends this dog for those who want a lovely feathered coat, thrives on exercise, is good natured and is peaceful with other animals.

How can I save money?

Even though your chances are slim, highly consider checking out a local shelter and/or rescue group; you never know if you’re able to find a puppy that closely resembles the breed.  Even if an adult were available, this is a great option as well as you will be able to see what you’re getting yourself into since their personality is already proven.

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How Much Does Precast Concrete Cost?

Precast concrete can withstand damage from storms, tornadoes, heavy rains and heat.  Similar to concrete, precast concrete can even help prevent fires, termites, mold and rot.

The main difference between precast concrete and standard concrete is that precast concrete is formed at an offsite location from a mold, but standard concrete is poured and formed on site.

There are many advantages of precast concrete that can actually make it cheaper.

First, the fact that precast concrete is made in a factory means that it is of high quality since that is all the factory does.  Second, the molds that are used to form the precast concrete can be reused for years, meaning that these concrete pieces can be created over and over.

The ability to quickly erect panels at the site is another advantage of precast concrete.  Once footings are prepared, panels can be placed quickly to form the enclosure.  This requires some lead time to order the panels but is an advantage at the site.  Rather than having to build a mold, pour the concrete, and wait for it to dry, the construction can continue immediately after placing the wall.  It also means that construction can be completed within a relatively small footprint and may allow building in weather that would negatively affect other types of construction.

Solid, high-quality concrete construction built with an efficient use of labor creates a very cost effective structure.

“Precast Concrete Stacked Wetcast Panels” (CC BY 2.0) by  Armcon Precast

How much does precast concrete cost?

The cost of precast concrete typically depends on factors such as the location or origin of the material used, the size of the piece in question, the number of pieces that you want to order, the quality of the materials, and the shape and structure of the piece.

By the cubic yard, if this is how the contractor will charge, complete jobs, including the ready mix, rebar, mastic and labor, can range anywhere from $275 to $400 per cubic yard.  So, for example, a four cubic yard project could cost upwards of $2,000.  Since all jobs are going to be so unique, consider getting multiple quotes, for free, from local, licensed contractors in your area at HomeAdvisor.com.

According to Precast.org, they claim that you should allow an average of $350 per cubic yard for the complete job.

Allcostdata.info has a large list of precast concrete and its cost.  Here, the average cost can range anywhere from $6 to as much as $15 per square foot.  Structural precast can range from $43 per linear foot for a 15-foot span to as much as $95 per linear foot for a 30-foot span.  These are the costs for the material only and won’t include the labor.

Since precast concrete can be formed into just about anything, we broke down the costs for the most popular projects inside our table below:

Precast concrete overview

Precast concrete can be poured into virtually any shape, including steps, retaining walls, fences, light poles, basement walls or as a slab.  It’s also commonly used to build silos, cattle feed bunks, troughs, channels and retaining walls.

This type of concrete can be installed in just about any weather.  Standard concrete cannot be poured in the rain, but precast concrete is ready at any time, since, as mentioned, it’s produced offsite.

With precast concrete, panels can be full or a “half-sandwich.”  The former gives more durability and insulation while the latter includes one concrete face and has less insulation.

There are also hollow core panels which are used for making walls and floors.

During a common installation procedure, contractors will erect the concrete panels, seal and bolt them together.  After this is done, the slab will be poured and the floor joists above the foundation will be installed to brace the foundation walls.  Once braced, the backfilling will begin.  From delivering to installing, including the backfill, the entire process can take a day.

What are the extra costs?

Purchasing precast concrete online or from other regions may require additional costs to cover the expenses for shipping or delivery.

As noted above, some of the costs won’t include professional installation.

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How Much Does 3D Printing Cost?

3D printing can be done in various ways.  Whether you want to print a ring or even a coffee mug, if you can put your thoughts on paper, it can be printed.

A 3D printer will first need a digital file (.stl file) so it can print your item successful.  Using many kinds of materials, hundreds of layers will then be printed as per the software to create your project.

“3D Printing in Progress” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  mikecogh

 How much does a 3D printing service cost?

The cost of 3D printing will greatly depend on the materials being used, but the labor involved (if the item has to be finished/painted), the amount of space the product takes in the printer and the company you choose will also affect the cost as well.  Companies will often charge by the cubic centimeter (cm³) and/or weight combined, plus a small charge for the item, and smaller things, of course, will be cheaper than a bigger item.  The average cost, if you know your measurements, will be about $0.02 to $0.10 per cubic centimeter.

We reached out to a few 3D printing companies and added the quotes we received in our table below.

To get an exact price, All3DP.com offers a comparison service, and this is a great way to see exactly what you could pay for something you want to print. To get multiple quotes, the service asks that you upload an STL file, and once uploaded, the market will show you over 150 variations, along with the actual prices of the printing services.

At select UPS stores, for instance, they offer 3D printing for its customers, with prices ranging from as little as $60 for a phone case to $300+ for a human bone replica.

3D printing, if you were to want to do it at home, could cost anywhere from $220 to $2,200 for just the printer.  This printer will be much different than a commercial-based printer since it’s designed for the average hobbyist.  This wouldn’t include the cost of materials to create your item.  A 2.20-pound spool of solid white PLA can cost about $20, for instance.         

What are the extra costs?

If you don’t want to use a basic 3D design you found online, then you may have to hire someone to create a file for you if you don’t know how.  However, there are some websites you can browse for free designs to help offset this cost.  If you still want something unique, then the cost of the design will really depend on the complexity and the professional you hire.

Adding a finish and/or painting, aside from the default finish, can increase the costs, depending on the type of finish you want.  An acetone finish, for example, can polish your item, but since these finishes are done manually most of the time, it can double your costs.  The same can be said about adding a paint color.

Depending on the service you choose, some may allow you to expedite your order for a fee.  Depending on the size of the order, the expedited pricing can be all over the place, but if the item were small and created from plastic, for instance, then the expedited shipping could be another $20 to $40.  If you choose the standard delivery time, it can take anywhere from as little as two days for a plastic model to as long as 30 days for an item made from sterling silver.

As noted, if you were to print at home, you will need 3D printing materials known as filaments.  The price of these filaments will depend on the weight, quality, color, diameter and the type, with most prices ranging from as little as $10 to $100 per spool.  The most common types you will find will include PLA or ABS.

Also, if you were to print from home, 3D modeling software will be a requirement in order to create your designs.  Depending on the type of software you want, the costs can range from as little as nothing for open-based software to well into the hundreds for a premium brand.

How can I save money?

Most services will offer bulk discounts if you purchase more than one of the same item.  Since most of the work is involved in the setup, it’s much easier for a company to print multiple objects at the same time.

If you plan on doing a lot of 3D printing, you may want to consider buying your own 3D printer since the investment will pay off over time.  By purchasing your own printer, you can avoid the service and shipping fees.

The material, as mentioned, will be the greatest factor when creating an item.  Any precious metals will always be much more than a plastic or ceramic-based mold.   As you can see inside our table, an ABS or PLA plastic alone could be 10 to 100 times less than gold or platinum.

While bigger may seem better, the larger the item, the more it’s going to cost.  By creating a smaller item, the less material it will require, effectively lowering the cost.

Reduce the number of materials you need by choosing a hollowing tool with most companies.  As the name implies, your item will still look the same from the outside; however, the inside will be hollow, reducing the number of materials that are required.

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How Much Does an Irish Wolfhound Cost?

Irish Wolfhounds are known to be massively large in size and are also appreciated for their excellent loyalty to their owners, making them a perfect fit for the title “gentle giant.”

“Molly – June 2008” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  Airwolfhound

How much does an Irish wolfhound cost?

On average, an Irish wolfhound puppy can cost anywhere from as little as $900 for to more than $2,500 for an AKC registered, purebred dog.  The costs will depend on the breeder, colors, the bloodline, pet quality and the geographical location.  While the color can play a small role in the pricing, the Irish Wolfhound Club of America does say there’s no such thing as a “rare” color and shouldn’t inflate the price.  The only thing, in the end, is that a certain color may pop up less frequently than another.

At PuppyFind.com, a popular dog classified website, they had close to 100 listings at the time of writing this, with prices ranging from as little as $900 to more than $2,300.

Browsing at the official AKC Marketplace, the breeders who did list their prices were asking for $1,800 to $2,600.  Most of the breeders we did look at offered health tests, vaccinations, a microchip, deworm and a travel crate.

What is going to be included in the adoption fee?

A reputable breeder, when you adopt one, should include up-to-date vaccinations, registration paperwork, a certified health checkup from a vet, a health guarantee and a travel crate if being shipped via an airline or by ground.  AKC registered dog breeders should include the AKC paperwork, genetic health testing, an OFA certification and other related health tests to ensure the dog is free and clear of any genetic disorders.

What are the extra costs?

Recurring costs, as with any dog, need to be factored in.  This will include food, accessories, dog sitting, obedience classes and routine/surprise vet visits.  A healthy dog can easily cost $700 a year, while a surgery can easily increase this number by 300 percent.  For example, bloat, a common occurrence among the Irish wolfhound, can cost $2,000, while a fractured limb can cost closer to $3,000.  Keep in mind that due to their larger size, they will eat more than the average dog.  The Irish Wolfhound Club of America recommends feeding twice a day.

Due to its coat, a regular grooming session is highly recommended to keep its coat in tip-top condition.  Twice a year, the dead hairs will need to be plucked in order to prevent it from matting.  If you choose to take your dog to a professional groomer, the average session, depending on where you live and who you choose, can be around $75.

Due to the rarity of this breed, your dog may need to be shipped either via air or ground.  Regardless of how far you live, plan on budgeting at least $200 to $400.  Do keep in mind that some breeders may ask to meet you in a central location because they don’t feel comfortable shipping their puppies.

These dogs are fast learners, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider obedience classes as a puppy.  At a minimum, highly consider classes to teach your puppy the basics of sit, stay and lay down.

Tips to know:

Both females and males both can measure about 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder, with females usually topping at 30 inches and will weigh 90 to 150 pounds.

Medium in length, its coat can look unkempt from a distance, but to the touch, it’s coarse, hard and rather tough.  They have a dual coat – a wiry outercoat and a softer undercoat.  They will shed year round but will not blow out their coat like other breeders.  Common coat colors include gray, red, black, white and brown.

If healthy, the average lifespan is between eight to 10 years.

As for its temperament, owners say the dog does get along very well with other children and household pets and is known to be very calm, gentle and extremely loyal to its owner.

Due to its size, a large yard is required for exercise.  Since they have the tendency to chase things, they should never be left outside a fenced-in area.

Because of their larger bodies, when compared to other breeds, the Irish wolfhound is prone to anesthesia issues due to their large hearts and lungs.  They are also prone to bone cancer and heart disease.  Any responsible breeder should check their dogs for this condition before offering the puppies for adoption.

To find a reputable breeder, consider browsing this Irish Wolfhound Club of America list.

Unfortunately, they won’t make a great watchdog due to their friendly temperament.

How can I save money?

No matter what kind of dog you want to adopt, highly consider checking local rescue groups and shelters first.  While there’s a good chance you won’t find this particular breed, you may be able to find one that closely resembles the look.  Adopting is a great way to help a local cause, a dog in need, and best of all, it can help you save hundreds of dollars.  The last resort should a breeder who’s looking for a profit.

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How Much Does iPhone Broken Screen Repair Cost?

Unfortunately, one of the most common problems with the iPhone is when the screen breaks.

When the glass breaks, it usually won’t shatter completely, but rather, it receives a spider web type crack, similar to the picture below.

While the phone will still work most of time, many users opt to repair it for cosmetic reasons.

“garantirep?” (CC BY 2.0) by  jardenberg

How much does it cost to repair a broken iPhone screen?

Depending on the type of iPhone you have and the repair service you use, the costs to repair an iPhone broken screen can vary anywhere from as little as $29 if you had AppleCare+ to as much as $250 if you were to use a third party service.  This is the price for the screen repair alone.

If you were to use Apple, they charge $129 for every iPhone, except for the iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 7 Plus, which will cost $149.  If you had AppleCare, it would be a flat rate of $29.

You don’t have to go to Apple to have your screen replaced, but if you were to, you have to keep in mind you will be voiding your warranty for doing so.

iCracked, a startup that comes to you to fix your cracked iPhone screen, will charge about $100 to fix any iPhone screen.

CNet contacted a few stores in the Los Angeles area and had found most were charging anywhere from $100 to $250 to fix a broken iPhone 6S screen.

The Washington Post says the costs to replace a shattered screen at an independent shop will about $100 to $150, while ordering a DIY kit can cost $40 to $100.

What are the extra costs?

If shipping it to Apple, for example, a small shipping fee will apply, but this can be waived if you were to bring your phone into a local Apple Store.  This is usually less than $10.

Outside of the screen, the phone may need other parts replaced, especially if the phone doesn’t turn on.  Again, depending on your phone’s make and model, common repairs can range anywhere from $199 to more than $400.

Tips to know:

Always check your warranty first before you use any professional service.  If you’re unsure, visit this website to see what’s covered right now.  There are three outcomes:  it will either be out of warranty, within the one-year manufacturer’s warranty or covered by AppleCare+ if you signed up for it.  Even if you had a warranty, it doesn’t mean it will be covered 100 percent.  Depending on the scenario, it will either be denied because of accidental damage or a deductible may apply.

Solution Owl highly recommends taking it to Apple for two reasons:  first, Apple will actually give you a 90-day warranty on the device.  Secondly, the costs, when compared to other third party services, is actually quite reasonable.  If you were to use an option outside of Apple, the company will void your warranty and will not provide any additional repairs.

How can I save money?

Take a look at what a reconditioned/used phone would cost on eBay or even at a local cell phone store.  If the costs of a used or even a new one that isn’t much more, then you may want to consider purchasing a new phone.  If going this route, sell your old phone online and be sure to disclose its condition, and with this money, you can put it toward a new phone.

As long as your phone works, you can always live with it, especially if you’re short on cash. Remember, this is just a cosmetic condition that has no effect on your phone.  To play it safe to protect your fingers while swiping, you may want to consider a thick glass screen protector for about $10 to $20.

In most cases, and as mentioned, going to Apple is going to be your cheapest and best route now; however, the only small benefit you may see if you were to go to a third party would be the speed of the process.  Most of the time, you can receive your phone in as little as an hour.

Don’t be fooled by the $15 to $35 replacement kits as they don’t live up to the expectations.  If you don’t believe us, take a look at the Amazon reviews.  Replacing the glass on an iPhone, especially the newer models are much harder and could cause even more damage if done wrong.

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How Much Does a Freon Recharge Cost?

While many call it “freon,” this is just a brand name, similar to that of a “Kleenex” when referring to a tissue.

Known as a refrigerant, air conditioners, your car and refrigerator all use this substance to move the heat from inside of the object to the outside in order to work properly.

“Refrigerant Line Frost” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Beige Alert

How much does a freon recharge cost?

Companies will often quote you by the pound if it’s for a home air conditioner, and the prices, depending on the refrigerant, can cost anywhere from as little as $75 to more than $150 per pound when professional labor in involved.  In order to receive an exact quote for how many pounds you need, a technician will really need to hook up their gauges to see how low you really are.  From there, they will be able to make the best guess as to how much you need, but as a rule of thumb, you will need about two to four pounds per one ton of your unit.  The average homeowner who needs a freon recharge will find themselves paying $150 to $400 for a home air conditioner recharge.

To have a licensed and highly rated professional come out to your home to offer an estimate, consider visiting HomeAdvisor.com to get multiple quotes online for free.  Simply explain your job and the website does the rest.

For example, on Angie’s List, they had talked with a handful of companies, and their prices, depending on who they talked to, ranged anywhere from $35 to more than $175 per pound for R-22 refrigerant; however, the $35 quote did not include the cost of the service charge.  Since R-22 is being phased out, as ordered by the EPA, the prices for R-22, if needed, will continue to rise.  In fact, by 2020, it won’t be produced at all, according to the article.

Thomson AC, located in California, charges $104 for the first pound of R-22 refrigerant and $72 per pound for each subsequent pound.

With a car, a refrigerant, either R-12 in an older car or R-134a in a newer car, can cost anywhere from $170 to $240, depending on where you go.  Most of the time, this fee will be fairly straightforward regardless of the car you drive.

Another common household item such as the refrigerator can have its freon recharged as well. With a professional service call and the parts, the total, depending on your geographical location, can cost about $125 to $175.

YouRepair.com says you should be prepared to pay a $50 to $100 labor charge for the hour and another $20 for the part if your refrigerator were to need more freon.  The average job to inspect and refill your refrigerator shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes.

What are the extra costs?

For air conditioning systems that use an R-22 refrigerant, it usually won’t evaporate nor will it dissipate outside of your system unless there’s a leak.   If your air conditioner were showing signs of a leak, then the leak will have to be fixed before they add the refrigerant and find it gone later in the future.  Even without fixing the leak, it could take awhile to even detect the leak.  Since there are so many variables and repairs, the costs can range anywhere from as little as $250 to more than $1,200.

Tips to know:

R-22, as mandated by the EPA, will be 100 percent phased out in 2020 due to the effects it had on the ozone layer.  As part of this agreement, R-22 refrigerant production had dropped by 90 percent, creating a very limited demand.  Today, R-410A took the R-22s place.

Because R-22 will be harder to come by, the prices will continue to rise.  If you don’t believe the contractor, check Amazon to see what a cylinder of R-22 can cost wholesale.  Even though it may be tempting to purchase it, you do have to be  608 certified with the Environmental Protection Agency to buy it.  Remember, the prices you see will be wholesale and a contractor will increase the price to produce a profit.

The most common reason freon needs to be recharged will be due to a broken solder weld at the copper bend connection, but there are other factors as well.  This may include a punctured outdoor condenser, a leaking coil, poor service valve or leaking tubing.

How can I save money?

In some cases, it may be more cost efficient to replace the unit entirely rather than worry about fixing a leak and refilling it with an expensive R-22 refrigerant.  If your unit is older than 15 years old, then it may be time to invest in a modern unit.

For a car, there are a/c recharge kits online for as little as $25.

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How Much Do Oranges Cost Per Pound?

An orange, along with the grapefruit, clementine, lemon and lime, is a type of citrus fruit.  Eating an orange can give you an extra boost of Vitamin C and an orange a day can help strengthen your body’s immune system.

“Orange” (CC BY 2.0) by  eblaser

How much do oranges cost?

The cost of an orange will depend on the type of orange, the time of year, where it’s being purchased, the quantity and geographical location.  A bag of navel oranges at the local grocery store can cost anywhere from $1 to $2 per pound, and most bags will weigh about five pounds.  Individually, an orange can cost around $0.50 to $1 on average.

For example, at the time of this writing, our local Walmart was charging $0.50 per navel orange.

This USDA report said the average price of fresh oranges was $1.04 per pound in 2013.

Statista, since 1995, has tracked the prices of navel oranges in the United States.  In 1995, the prices were as low as $0.64 per pound, but as of today, the prices are closer to $1.17 per pound.

A box of navel oranges, often coming in 20 to 40-pound quantities, can cost as little as $0.75 to $1.25 per pound total.

Blood oranges, another popular variety, are known for its sweet center and vivid deep ruby red color.  These types of oranges, depending on the same factors mentioned, can cost closer to $3 to $6 per pound.

Clementine oranges, often sold by the “Cuties” brand, sells for $3 to $7 per three-pound bag.

Oranges overview

Typically, oranges are going to come in a mesh bag that weights up to five pounds.  Sometimes, this mesh bag is placed in a wooden box to make it easier to carry.  Each pound should yield about two to four oranges, depending on the size.

If you purchase individual oranges, you can pick them and place them in a bag that is provided in the produce department, similar to other fruits such as peaches, apples, peaches and pears.   This bag will then be weighed at the cash register and you will be charged accordingly.

Oranges sold in the United States will typically come from Florida and California.  However, some can be shipped from as far as the Middle East or Mexico.  Refer to the packaging label to see where the oranges you purchased originated from.

Tips to know:

When choosing one, always look for a nice firm, smooth skin.

How can I save money?

A local farmers market is almost always cheaper than the local grocery store.

As with any fruits, a grocery store will have oranges for sale, especially while they are in season.

If you live in the right area, consider going to a u-pick farm to save on costs.

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How Much Does a Disney Cruise Cost?

A Disney cruise, owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, is specifically designed to create a complete Disney-themed experience for the entire family all aboard one ship.  While on these ships, guests are accommodated in spacious rooms and have access to many amenities such as state-of-the-art entertainment facilities, a Disney-themed ambiance, a sumptuous dining experience, personalized service and so much more.

As of today, Disney current has four ships in its fleet:  the Dream, Fantasy, Magic and Wonder.

“Disney Cruise Line” (CC BY 2.0) by  ChrisCruises

How much does a Disney cruise cost?

Like most cruises, the cost is going to depend on where you want to go, the room that you want while on the ship, the time of year and the length of the cruise.  The cost of a Disney cruise can vary anywhere from as little as $600 to as much as $10,000 per person.

For example, a seven-night cruise to Alaska and the Pacific Coast costs around $900 to $2,800 per person in a double occupancy cabin without a veranda.  For a suite room with an adjoining deck, the cost usually starts from $1,700 up to $10,000 per person.

On the other hand, Bahamian cruises offer a number of packages and a varied number of cruise nights.  Its three-night cruise may cost between $450 and $1,100 without a veranda or from $600 to $6,000 with a veranda.

A three-night Disney cruise to the same area costs around $600 to $1,500 for an inner cabin or from $750 to $8,000 for a room with deck.

Moreover, the Disney 8-night cruise package costs between $1,200 and $3,000 for an inner room and between $2,000 and $11,000 for a suite with a veranda.

The cost of a seven-night adventure with the Caribbean cruises starts from $750 and can cost upwards to $10,000.  The Mexican Riviera offers the same duration of the trip at a cost that starts from $600 to as much as $11,000.

The Canada and New England five-night cruise package can cost around $700 to $7,500.

This Fox News article took a look at the cruise line to see if was worth the investment.  During their search, they had found a seven-day cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral, Florida was $1,232.

On PriceLine.com, for example, we played around with a few scenarios and came up with the following estimates:

NOTE:  Even though this price says “per person,” the prices will drop if you were to add your children younger than 17.  For example, if you were to add a child who’s younger than two, then you may pay 50 percent of a child’s rate.

Disney cruise overview

Depending on the ship, there will be four room options:  the interior room, oceanview room, a room with a balcony or a suite.

The above cruise packages are inclusive of a 24-hour room service, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, Disney based theatrical productions and a fireworks show.

What are the extra costs?

Alcoholic beverages are an extra cost to think about.  Alcoholic beverages can be purchased through room service, the formal dining area, or from any of the nightclubs or lounges.

If you have babies, you may want to think about group babysitting, a price that is not included in the package.  Most ships also provide baby diapers and other baby needs at separate prices.  While this is an extra charge, it may be worth it for the convenience.  Otherwise, you will have to pack all of these items.

You will be expected to tip the members of the crew who assist you throughout the cruise.  This tip, depending on how you pay, can be included in the initial quote.

Onshore activities, such as local tours, car rental, and snorkeling, are priced separately.  If you were to purchase directly from the cruise line, then you can expect excursions to be anywhere from $100 to $300 per person, depending on the activity you want to take advantage of.

Adults may spend extra to take advantage of the adult-exclusive restaurants and spas that are offered away from children.

Phone and Internet usage can be an additional charge and will be charged per megabyte/gigabyte used.

Transportation and lodging when heading to the port to take off will not be part of the costs.  This can include hotel stays, car rentals, airline fares, etc.

How can I save money?

If you are military personnel or one of your family members is serving in the military, you can enjoy some discount on the cruise packages.  Take a look at the official Disney Cruise Line to see the current promotions they are holding.

Check for special cruise promotions or onboard credits.  Many third-party websites will have a lot of deals that you can sort through.

Disney is just one of the many cruise lines you can book, and in fact, it tends to be one of the priciest.  Royal Caribbean and Carnival, for example, can be up to 60 percent less than a Disney cruise going to the same destination.

Consider a combination deal.  In some cases, you can book a few days at a Disney resort on land and the cruise at the same time to save a few hundred dollars.

If you qualify, the Disney Visa credit card can offer discounts and even more credits when used on board.

As with any cruise, try to time it right.  Usually, when kids are in school, the costs will be a lot less than when they are on vacation.  Play around with the quotes online, and if you’re flexible, this is a great way to save a great deal of money.  WDW Info recommends traveling during the hurricane season; however, if you were to do so, just remember the itinerary could change because of the weather.

Book early.  The sooner you know you want to take a cruise, the quicker you should take action.  Since cruise liners will price their room by tiers, the earlier you book, the lower the costs are known to be.

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How Much Do Crab Legs Cost?

Crab legs are popular seafood choices in many American dishes and are especially famous for most seafood restaurants, being used as the main ingredient for many seafood dishes.

Although most crab legs come from the Alaskan King crab, they can also come from other types of crabs like snow and blue crabs.

“Crab Legs” (CC BY 2.0) by  Joe Shlabotnik

How much do crab legs cost?

Crab leg prices are going to greatly vary from region to region, the current market conditions and it will also depend on the type of crab leg you are going to purchase.  Near the coast where crab legs can be purchased fresh, the costs will be much cheaper than those who live a few hundred or thousand miles away.  Most of the time, it is best to budget anywhere from $10 to as much as $30 per pound.  The cost via an online store will usually be higher than your local grocery store.

For instance, Great-Alaska-Seafood.com sells four-pound wild Alaska giant king crab legs and claws for $179.  Their colossal king crab legs and claws, on the other hand, sell for $429 per 10 pounds.

At Sam’s Club, a 10-pound box retails for a pinch more than $110, bringing the average cost to about $11 per pound.  The 32-ounce Member’s Mark snow crab legs and claws retail for about $21.  If available, the price per pound, outside of these two items for fresh crab legs, would be about $25 per pound.

Walmart offers premium Dungeness crab in 16-ounce bags for close to $17, while a 1.5-pound box of cooked snow crab legs retail for about $20.

Kroger quoted $24 per pound for 16/20 wild caught king crab legs and $32 per pound for 9/12 wild caught king crab legs.  Snow crab leg clusters were about $11 per pound.

On Amazon.com the highest rated retailer that sells a five-pound box of king crab legs charges about $125 for a five-pound box.

FatWallet.com claims that if you can get crab legs for less than $15 per pound, it is a fantastic deal; however, they also claimed that you should be prepared to pay as much as $30 per pound depending on the distributor and quality.

If you order crab legs in a restaurant setting, you will most likely pay $20 to $50 for a dinner portion.

Crab legs overview

Crab legs will be processed in various ways.  If you buy fresh from the docks at a fish market, for example, then you can simply pick out the crab legs you want from the counter, throw them inside a plastic bag and leave.  However, if you were to buy at a local grocery store, which are commonly either snow or king crab legs, then it will either be prepped inside a plastic wrap sitting on a styrofoam tray or if you were to buy in bulk, the legs will be shipped frozen and wrapped in a bubble wrap that’s placed inside of a cardboard box.  In some cases, grocery stores will often hold seafood events where you can purchase the legs fresh as if you were at a fish market.

Crab legs will be graded in sizes that are able to indicate how many legs will compromise a unit of 10 pounds.  If you were to see a number such as 9/12, for instance, then this means nine to 12 legs per 10 pounds.  Aside from these numbers, you will also see the terms extra small, medium, large, extra large, jumbo and super jumbo.  The larger the size is, the less you will get per 10 pounds.

Regardless of how you purchase, they can be consumed either hot or cold by either steaming, boiling, baking, grilling or even microwaving for as little as five minutes.  Almost all of your crab will be cooked at sea where they are caught and will be flash frozen on the fishing vessel to help protect the flavor.

What are the extra costs?

A crab shell cracker will be needed by those who have difficulty opening the shells.  Most crackers will cost no more than $10 to $20 for a set.

While optional, sides to serve with crab legs are recommended.  This may include vegetables, a salad, green beans, Brussels or sauteed spinach.

Tips to know:

Crab legs will be frozen before they even reach you.  As a helpful tip, thaw out the crab legs in the refrigerator before consuming them.  Most cooks do not advice thawing it with warm or even cold water as it will affect the taste.

When purchased, it can retain its flavor and freshness for up to two days as long as refrigerated.  After cooking, refrigerate within two hours.  If freezing, place the cooked crab inside of a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container.

The two most common crab leg varieties sold are the king and snow, so what’s the difference between the two?  For starters, king crabs can grow much larger, up to 25 pounds, whereas a snow crab will max out at about five pounds.  Secondly, the king crab is known to have a “richer” flavor when compared to a snow crab’s taste, even though it does have more meat.  As for the look, the snow crab legs will be straighter, the shell is softer and there won’t be as many sharp protrusions on its side, making it easier to crack through.

How can I save money?

Consider checking out your local wholesale clubs such as Costco.  Here, you can often find quality crab legs for as little as $10 to $15 per pound.

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How Much Does Ground Turkey Cost?

Ground turkey is quite popular since it is considered to be a healthier alternative to hamburger and other meat.

According to the National Turkey Federation, ground turkey is “manufactured from whole muscle material such as the drumstick, thighs, neck, etc., with all components, such as skin and adhering fat, in natural proportions.”  The producers of ground turkey agree that the fat content is either at or below the natural content in turkey meat.  Because of these regulations and the natural makeup, turkey is a leaner meat.

“Ground turkey” (CC BY 2.0) by  cote

How much does ground turkey cost?

Depending on the quality of the meat, most stores will charge anywhere from $2 to as much as $8 per pound.  The leaner it is, the more you are going to have to pay.  Most, however, find themselves paying around $2 to $5 per pound at their local stores.

On a forum thread on Stretcher.com, forum members claimed they had paid anywhere from $3 to as much as $7 per pound.

At Trader Joe’s, they state they have random-weight trays retailing for close to $2.99 per pound — the same price since 2009.

Ground turkey overview

Ground turkey is a mixture of light and dark turkey meat that is removed from the bone and minced together with the existing skin and fat.  Most of this meat is taken from the thigh or drumstick rather than the breast area.  It’s an excellent source of protein, with the average four-ounce serving containing 21 grams.  An organic variety will never have any artificial coloring, flavors and/or preservatives.

Ground turkey is often sold by the pound and usually comes in an airtight sealed package, found in the meat section of any grocery store.  Popular brands found at the local grocery store includes Jennie-O, Perdue, Shady Brook, Foster Farms, Honeysuckle and Butterball.

Some ground turkey meat is sold in rolls and can weigh about 16 ounces each.  A roll of bulk ground turkey can weigh around 10 pounds.

Tips to know:

There are different types of turkey and often produce different levels of quality in terms of the fat and the meat ratio.  Pay close attention to the percentages to know how lean your meat will be.  If you want the healthiest option possible, choose the highest lean percentage possible.

Ground turkey can be used to make anything that can be made with ground beef and is considered to be an excellent replacement.  Consider using it in recipes such as hamburgers, spaghetti sauce, chili, meatloaf, burritos and tacos.

Ground turkey, on average, will take about three to five minutes to cook.  Be forewarned, however.  If you were to cook it too long, the meat can dry out and become crumbly, causing it to lose its flavor.

Ground turkey nutrition

How can I save money?

If you buy ground turkey in bulk, it can bring the price down by the pound.  At Sam’s Club, a 2.5-pound tray of Jennie-O can retail for as little as $13.  Costco sells a 93 percent lean group turkey for $2.59 per pound, with the average package containing seven pounds.  Even if you can’t eat it all at once, ground turkey can be frozen for months and the taste and quality will not be affected.

Like any meat in the grocery store, keep your eyes opened for sales.  If the price is good enough, this could be the time to stock up.  Anything less than $2 to $3 per pound is deemed a good deal.

Also, keep your eyes in the clearance section.  If the meat is about to expire, many stores will knock a certain percentage off.  As long as you freeze it or use it right away, there should not be a problem with it.

Consider checking out a local food co op or farmers market.

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