March equals Spring Break. March equals college basketball. March equals Mardi Gras. Before your cup runs over with excitement for all the possibilities this month, make sure you take a step back and limit yourself to what time and finances can afford.

Check out last year's article for some great spring break tips and background. This year, I decided to devote the nostalgic history application to Mardi Gras. Reviewing many of my more favorite articles, I have discovered my propensity to rely on Internet research to turn myself into an historian of our cultural holidays (see last year's March or last month's articles for examples). As such, I take pride in the Internet's ability to make me go from Zero to Expert in 15 minutes or less. I am like some kind of Dot-Com InstaGuru.

Mardi Gras

At any rate, Mardi Gras had been celebrated for years in Christian countries of Europe before any one could spell "New Orleans." Mardi Gras is the French term for "Shrove Tuesday," which literally translated means Fat Tuesday. Although the traditions of parades, masquerades, and civil disorder have their roots from previous pagan rituals, Mardi Gras today represents the final party time before Lent. The parades of Mardis Gras ("Carnival," "Karnival," or "Fasching") have existed at least since the Middle Ages. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, however, began in 1699, when the French-Canadian explorer Sieur d'Iberville camped his men 60 miles south of the city on what happened to be Mardi Gras. As such, he named the area Pointe du Mardi Gras. As the festivities began to get a little heavier, Mardi Gras underwent some sever regulation, including limiting the season by beginning it on January 1, so that civilians would not celebrate year round. After some loosening, the season now begins November 1.

You can access some very useful Mardi Gras travel information throughout the internet. In fact, many of these websites deliver some refreshingly professional content. If you are seriously considering a Mardi Gras excursion, take the time to research www.mardigras.com, www.mardigrasneworleans.com, and www.mardigrasday.com. This year, you can actually view webcam footage of Bourbon Street live from the convenience of your own home (which is particularly useful, because I have been to Bourbon Street for Mardi Gras, and it is filthy).

Secure Your Travel Plans

Because of your plethora of options this month, for students everywhere, March means travel plans. Whatever your destination, you can apply that college education to good use in saving yourself some cash, because we are all playing with money from our adult futures through the use of a modern marvel called loans.

So, in an effort to save the future you some cash, yet the present self still having a great time, Chenoweth is going to let you in on a few secrets to securing cheap travel. You have all heard of www.orbitz.com, www.travelocity.com, and www.expedia.com. All of these sites seek to capture you the cheapest fare for your troubles. However, capitalism being what it is, and your economics professor not lying to you about competition and the Invisible Hand, you should not end your search there. Continue on to the more rarely visited sites of . . .

• www.cheapairlines.com
• www.cheaptickets.com
• www.hotwire.com
• www.bestfares.com

Many of these sites require flexible travel plans, but in the world of student schedules, take advantage of the flexibility you have today - you won't be able to be flexible in your working life.

For your hotel accommodations, many of the popular airline ticket sites will be happy to take your reservation, but you may also rely on . . .

• www.hotels.com
• www.greatplacestosleep.com
• www.cheapestdeals.com

Students can also enjoy some special discounts through the Student Travel Agency, or www.statravel.com. A membership at www.studentadvantage.com will enable you to save money through Amtrak, Greyhound, and US Airways, in addition to shopping for clothing and other items. As I mentioned last month, do not discount your favorite airline frequent flyer programs. Not only do they give you an excellent method to secure your flight, but many have hotel and gift partners, too.

Okay, I think that ought to cover it for March this year. Enjoy it, because after this month, you are into April, which means finals are right around the corner. March is like the Halftime of the Spring Semester.