One thing that was very noticeable in Iqaluit was large numbers of children everywhere. Nunavut has a very young population with 56% under age of 25. I saw many Inuit mothers wearing traditional Inuit parkas with large hoods in back where their babies are carried. The Inuit youth is one of Canadian Arctic's untapped resources and its future. They have access to satellite television and dress just like their counterparts in south. However, at present only about 25% of high school students graduate so a big challenge for Nunavut government is to encourage Inuit kids to stay in school. During my second trip, there was darkness for only a few hours each day so it was very strange to be walking around town at 10 pm in evening with daylight still present. Even at this hour, there were still quite a few young Inuit children playing outside. The locals, Inuit and non-Inuit alike were very friendly. I got impression of a tight community perhaps because of isolation of Canadian Arctic. However, local Inuit were also very open to visitors and willing to share a bit of their lives. During daytime, I went up to a few Inuit art carvers who were working outside their houses. Each turned off their power saws when I approached them and seemed happy to talk to me. I met most of them later during evenings when they showed me their finished works of Inuit art.

I had opportunity to walk about 30 minutes to outskirts of town past airport one day. I climbed up a hilltop with a satellite dish facility overlooking an expansive valley. There was nobody else around and it was incredible how silent area was. It was like a vacuum where I could hear only my own breathing. It was a very peaceful and even spiritual moment there. While sitting on this Arctic hilltop, I was suddenly startled at one point by a noise and it turned out to be flapping wings of a large raven flying by. There are tours offered by local outfitters to see northern wildlife and experience some of Arctic tundra further out. I hope to take one of these tours on a future visit. A trip to Nunavut is not cheap since everything, including flights are so expensive. However, I will definitely return not only for more Inuit art, but also to experience more of local Inuit culture and Arctic land.

- movies

- entertainment

- school, tuition

- books

- CD's

- health insurance

- home insurance

- car insurance

- life insurance

- down payment on new car

- car leases

- computer equipment

- phone bill

- Internet bill

- television bill

- water bill

- gas bill

- electrical bill

- property taxes

- and everything and anything else!

Business Use:

- Internet purchases

- paying affiliates

- paying suppliers

- paying contracted employees such as accountants, programmers, support staff

- paying for advertising campaigns

- office equipment

- hotels

- rental cars

- food

... and anything and everything else you can think of.

So you see, possibilities on how and where you can make purchases with your credit card are unlimited. And because they are unlimited, your free travel should be virtually unlimited to.

Think about it. At end of year, how much of your salary is left in your savings account? Ten, maybe even 15 or 20%?

Okay, let's say you are an exceptional saver and are able to save 20% or your yearly income. That means 80% was spent on everything and anything else. Spend it on your credit card and get free Air Miles!

Let me do math for you...

Based on example of spending 80% of your income,

If you earned $50,000 that means you spent $40,000 If you earn 1 Air Mile for every $1.00 you spend, that's 40,000 Air Miles every year.

But Wait!

If you run a business and had expenses of say $50,000 that would mean an additional 50,000 Air Miles every year.

How many flights could you take with 90,000 Air Miles every year?

What if you earn and even larger income? What if your company expenses are larger than $50,000?

Do yourself a favor. Pick up a pen and paper and start brainstorming all ways you can start paying via credit card and of all places you can start travelling for free!

Remember though, what you pay for using your credit card MUST be paid off each and every month in order to avoid paying absorbent interest charges. I know, you knew that. But like maximizing your Air Miles, most people don't do it. Make sure you are not 'most people' and enjoy your free flights!