budget

Plan Your Next Road Trip

January 28, 2020 By Rob Leave a Comment

Taking a road trip is an American pastime. Plan your next trip and hit the road.

Car Maintenance

Make sure your vehicle is ready to go. Nothing like getting hundreds of miles away from home and breaking down. You can’t always anticipate car trouble but you can prepare to lessen the chance of problems.

Plan Where Your Going

Planning ahead you can see where roadwork is anticipated and trouble spots along the way. Knowing your route can giove you an idea where your likely to hit traffic and an idea of where you can bypass certain areas.

Get off the Interstate

The interstate highway system is a great thing for our country. It allows us to travel long distances over much shorter amounts of time. It does however bypass small towns, attractions, and scenic byways. If your in a hurry then by all means stay on the interstate with everyone else, but if your in it for the experience, get off.

Pack Some Food

While your almost guaranteed to find great places to eat along the way, it can get expensive eating out every meal. Pack a cooler with plenty of drinks and cold snacks. Bring along snacks that don’t need to be refrigerated. It’s always a nice thing to be able to fill your stomach without having to stop or at least without needing to find a place to buy food, especially if you like the back roads.

Fuel

One of the disadvantages to taking a road trip is the fuel cost. Depending on what your driving, the cost can add up. Check on getting a gas card. Some have some great cash back or discount offers. If your using a lot, the rewards can add up fast.

Roof Rack

It wont take long before you start feeling closed in being stuck in a car for long periods of time. Look into getting a roof rack or one thatll go on a hitch behind you. You’ll be glad you did when it comes to making more space to move around, especially depending how many people you have in the car with you.

Pack a Spare

Having a spare key is always a good idea. When your so far from home you can’t exactly call someone to bring you one if you happen to lock yourself out. Another thing is a spare tire. This used to be a given but many cars now don’t come with one as car companies try to keep cars lightweight for fuel efficiency.

Cash is King

Nearly everyone today relies on a credit card or bank card. You still should bring some cash along as backup. What happens if your card decides not to work and you cant access your bank. Many toll roads still require cash. Some businesses off the interstate or in small towns will only accept cash. Always a good idea to have some hidden for emergencies whether you actually end up needing it or not.

Bring a Camera

Most everyone has a phone with a camera at their fingertips. If your one who likes to take a lot of photos its not a bad idea to carry a second camera along with you. Road trips always present great photo opportunities.

Grab an Atlas

Google Maps and apps such as Waze, has almost allowed us to do away with old fashioned maps. However, there are areas where phone signal isn’t that great. Another good thing with a map or atlas is seeing the big picture of where your at, or being able to find another alternative route to take easily.

Save Cash Planning Your Next Beach Trip

January 28, 2020 By Rob 1 Comment

Planning a beach trip on a budget doesn’t mean not having a good time.

With a little planning and using some due diligence can let you enjoy a beach vacation and not break the bank.

Time of year

While going to the beach is usually a summer tradition, certain times of the year can be considerably costlier than others. Look at the off season or off peal times. Instead of going the 4th of July or Memorial Day, try spring or fall. The weather is usually nice but the crowds, and the cost will be considerably less.

Location

The United States is lucky enough to have thousands of miles of beaches. Try to vacation on a beach that’s not as well known. Myrtle Beach, SC or Daytona Beach, FL is going to cost you alot more than say Chincoteague, Virginia or Pawleys Island, South Carolina will

Lodging

Where to stay, once youve figured out where your going is the next step to saving some cash. Think about staying just outside of town or a smaller house. Both these options can save big bucks. Another option is camping. While not for everyone, but many beaches or coastal areas have campgrounds, both public and private, close by or even allow you to stay directly on the beach. Camping can save you a considerable amount of money.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead can save big money. Do your research. Look at many locations and options you have. Many times you can find some good deals looking around. The same can be said for waiting though. When hotels and other places have unsold rooms, you can usually find some last minute deals, but your taking a risk of not having a place too.

Take a Road Trip

Instead of booking that flight to head to the islands why not plan a road trip somewhere closer. Think of where you can reach in a days drive. Head somewhere with a group of friends and take turns driving. While not always cheaper, especially if you can find some good deals on tickets, it’s a great way to shave some expense off your vacation.

Think Outside the Box

Rent a house with others. Group your money together and rent a single house for everyone. Prepare your meals instead of eating out constantly (restaurants can get expensive).

5 Outdoor Family Activities

January 3, 2020 By Rob Leave a Comment

Being outdoors is proven to be good for our health. It’s not just adults either. Kids today do much less outdoors than in previous generations. Handheld games, TV, Computers, iPad’s, etc. all keep kids indoors more than ever before. With all this technology however, there are still plenty of things to do outdoors, and as a family.

Camping

What better way to experience all the great outdoors has to offer than to “live” there for a few days. Camping outdoors is a time honored tradition that takes us back to the days of the pioneer. While sleeping under the stars is an option you can sleep in a tent, both family sized, or individual, or upgrade to a travel trailer or RV. Many campgrounds, both public and private, offer trailers and or cabins to rent. Sit around the campfire telling stories and learning about the great outdoors for a few days. It’s a memory kids remember for a lifetime.

Farm Visit

Many farms and farm markets offer agritourism activities like a pumpkin patch or pick your own strawberries. Many also have petting zoos and other educational activities.

Water Parks

During the summer and warmer months visit a water park nearby and have some fun in the water.

Take a Trip to the Beach

Head to the nearest beach or lake. Every kids enjoys the beach.

Take in a Ballgame

Take a trip to the local ball club. Major or minor league. Kids will always remember a trip rooting for the home team.

Traveling with a Baby and Young Children

December 20, 2019 By Rob Leave a Comment

Being a parent to young children can be an exciting time. It does, however, come with some challenges. When you decide to go on vacation or take a trip you need to think ahead. While challenging it can be done without much trouble if you plan ahead.

Talk to Your Doctor

Before you decide to travel very far be sure to check with your baby’s doctor. They can give you some advice and what you may need to do specifically for your child.

Pack Extra Supplies

When traveling away from home you need to pack some extra supplies. Any medications and special dietary staples your baby needs that you may not be able to buy wherever your going. Pack plenty of extra diapers and wipes, etc.

Stroller/Seat

If your traveling by car you’ll have a bit more ease of carrying what you need. Traveling by plane you want to pack as little as you can to save space and cost. Find a good collapsible stroller. Make sure to take along your baby’s seat and or booster. You may want to call the airline ahead of time to see about any restrictions they may have. The same goes if you plan on staying in a hotel room.

Entertainment

Young or newborn babies may be ok, but for older children and toddlers you’ll most likely want to take along some toys or games to keep them entertained during longer trips.

Identification

Make sure to take along some identification and insurance cards for your little ones.

Planning a Spring Break Trip on a Budget

February 3, 2019 By Rob Leave a Comment

The holidays are over. Spring semester is in full swing. The school year is half over. Were fortunate to have thousands of miles of coastline and beaches, several mountain ranges, and numerous places to visit while you’re on break. With all the people who head to the beach it’s no wonder why it can become a costly vacation. There are ways to save money while having a good time however. Planning a spring break when your on a budget doesn’t have to be hard, just by using some common sense you can save a chunk of cash and have a great time.

Plan Ahead– Book your hotel, or beach house well ahead of time. Prices can be much lower when you book well ahead of your trip. This also gives you plenty of time to compare price and what’s available.

Control You Expenses– You’re a college student. You know how to each cheap and make do with spending as little money on food as possible. Keep that same state of mind while on spring break. Don’t make alcohol your main source of fun. While a few legal drinks to take the edge of while you’re on vacation is nice, it can get expensive, and quickly.

Last Minute Deals– Waiting until the last minute is a risky proposition during peak times in certain areas. Staying in prime locations in the main party spots, its probably not the best thing to do. However, in many resort locations deals can be found at the last minute when hotels and resorts haven’t been booked. These businesses will give nice deals on their rooms rather than have them sit empty, where they make nothing.

Vacation with others– Renting a beach house that sleeps numerous people can be a way to keep costs reasonable for individuals. Going in together with a group of friends can keep the sticker shock of lodging down. One other advantage of groups renting a house together is access to a kitchen where you can cook your own meals instead of eating out. If renting a house is what you’d like to do remember most rental companies require someone older to be responsible, and that some won’t rent to students at all for fear of damages and liability.

Consider Alternative Lodging– Consider staying at locations that aren’t right on a beach. Those properties are the most expensive. Stay a few block inland, and the price drops dramatically.

Think Outside the Box– Everyone likes to think of the typical spring break party locations. They’re expensive places to stay. It’s basic supply and demand. Look into other locations that are still nice places to visit. The United States is full of great places to see and have a great time and at reasonable costs. Just because it’s the typical spring break we all know doesn’t mean it’s the only way to do something.

Be sure to checkout our other tips for Traveling on a Budget and Planning a Beach Trip

Traveling on a Budget

October 6, 2018 By Rob 2 Comments

For many traveling is costly and expensive. It doesn’t have to be however. Whether it’s just you, or your entire family, you can take that vacation and enjoy it with a little planning. It’s perhaps easier today than ever before. Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t do anything, you just need to be smart with how you allocate your resources.

Time of Year

Many people think you can only take a real vacation when everyone else does it. Most people travel in the summer when kids are out of school and the weather is nice. But what about taking a trip off season.

Many places offer steep discounts of lodging and other travel related expenses during their slower times. Want to go to the beach, how about before Memorial Day or after Labor Day? It may not be prime time but in most parts of the country it’s either starting to warm up in the spring or it’s still months away from turning into winter and the water at the beach is the warmest it’s been all year.

Just take for example a large house rental on the beach in Myrtle Beach. One that would run nearly $10,000 a week the Fourth of July, would rent for half that much come September.

For everything there is a peak season, and looking for a place to stay during that peak season, you’re going to pay for it.

Location, Location, Location

Just as the season, a location next to a popular attraction will raise the price considerably compared something a few miles away. Ever heard of Disney in Orlando? Just compare the price of staying there versus driving a half hour and look at the difference in price. Many towns in the United States are built around certain tourist attractions. For Example Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN, Branson, MO, or Hersey, PA. The same applies to all. What’s a half hour drive to and from those attractions when it could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in lodging costs.

Another money saving tip when renting a beach house is to rent a house a street or two in. A house that still has ocean front views but doesn’t sit directly on the beach front will shed thousands of dollars off the rental price. If you rent a condo instead of a house the price drops even more. There’s just as many amenities, and sometimes even more than a house itself. The same can be said for hotel rooms.

Why Not try Camping?

Growing in popularity, but still affordable, camping is a great alternative. Many private and government campgrounds are located nationwide. Many State and Federal Parks have campgrounds. Renting a lot for a few days can sometimes equal nearly the same as a single night in a resort. Camping brings with it its own challenges and it’s not for everyone, but it’s a good family activity and a cost effective one at that.

Growing up my parents would do craft shows (long before Etsy, and Amazon) with stuff my mom used to make. We would take our vacations corresponding to the dates of the shows. We would stay in smaller hotels most of the time, but some of my fondest memories are when we would camp in between. Camping in the Smokey and Blue Ridge Mountains was quite an adventure and we did so on very tight budgets, even then. We ate dinner my Mom would make on a small camp stove. They always had a cooler full of food to feed us that they brought with them. They’re were 3 of us boys, so you can imagine the amount of food we ate. We sometimes would eat fish we’d catch around the camp site.

I could probably write a book on all the fun we had on those trips back then.

Thinking back on it now it was some of the best times we had growing up, and probably some of the cheapest vacations we ever took. My wife and I went with my brother’s kids last summer (the hottest days of the year unfortunately). Camping on the Chesapeake Bay, and I’m glad we were able to give them some of the same experiences we had back then. I hope to take my daughter when she gets a few years older.

Many people have campers these days. Some of those are just like small homes on wheels. Really, a tent with sleeping bags works quite well if you don’t mind roughing it. A cook stove and some canned foods goes a long way and for a fraction of the cost eating out would be.

All About the Memories You Make

Trips should be about the experiences you have and the family time you spend together. Just because something costs more doesn’t always mean it better. Food is often the next highest expense when traveling behind lodging, as many times you want someone else cooking for you while you’re on vacation. That’s fine if you can afford it and don’t mind spending the money. Otherwise try to limit the times you eat out to once a day or less.

Many hotel rooms have a microwave and a small fridge in them and you can make your own small meals a few times and save a bundle of money. Buy a pizza or two and have some close family time.

You can buy some things ahead of time and pack to take with you to limit the amount of cash you’ll have to spend on restaurants and and eating out. I remember Mom would always have a cooler full of lunch meat and other stuff, and we used to think they were the best meals because they were something different than we would have at home.

Why Not take A Road Trip

Travel by nature means you have to get somewhere. Many people like to fly, and depending on where you’re going it may be cheaper to do so if you are able to find a decent deal on tickets. Be sure to look around and book far enough time ahead so you have time to find the best deal, although you can also find so great last minute deals sometimes. By waiting, you also risk being unable to and then you’re stuck. It’s a gamble either way.

Many parts of the country have a great deal of places to visit and explore within a day’s ride. Why not save a few dollars and drive. Your likely to see more sites and unique places along the way.

See our post on why road trips are great for the family.

Every summer we go to visit family and each time we head back we take an atlas and find a different route off the interstate. We enjoy it much more than being crammed in a plane even if it does take a bit longer. We’ve seen so many beautiful farms, relics of days gone by, and many picturesque small towns that remind you of Hallmark movies. Makes the drive so much more enjoyable.

You can’t always find cheaper options everywhere you go, and we don’t always have the luxury of time to plan every trip, but traveling on a budget is possible and can be quite relaxing and enjoyable.