Vacation 2010 Highlights

We just returned from our favorite frugal vacation spot -- a cabin we rented in beautiful Montebello, Virginia! Here are some of the highlights from our week-long trip!

We enjoyed lots of fishing and swimming (well, more like splashing) in the lake.

We went exploring on several nature hikes together.

We had to visit the local drive-thru zoo and feed the animals. It isn't very frugal, but it was definitely a highlight of our trip! Emily was a bit stingy with the food at first.

This fellow was a bit more friendly!

We spent some time picking the clover flowers.

....and Clara turned 2 right before our very eyes!

We stopped by Big Spy Mountain's Overlook....

....and caught lots of breath-taking sunsets!!

...and every night ended with a special story time of passages from Shel Silverstein's Falling Up.

It was a lovely trip, and now it's great to be back! This week we'll be sharing some fun ideas for the garden, a cute nature craft, tips for frugal picnics, and a super-fun giveaway! You won't want to miss it!!

Shop Update! And the winner is....

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has been voting for me this past week!!! The results should be available in the next couple of days. However, I just couldn't wait any longer to announce that the winner of the Kid's Travel Kit Giveaway is.... Heidi!!! Congratulations!!

I received so many requests for these, so if you didn't win, don't worry! There are now a few Kid Travel Kits available for sale in our Etsy Shop! That was quick! Thank you, Lindsey!

If you're planning a road trip with the kiddos this Summer, you will want one of these.

We took ours for the road trip to Pittsburgh last weekend, and I'm so glad we did. Mark and Emily played several rounds of this Roadside Scavenger Hunt game, switching cards in-between rounds. It made the trip go by a lot faster!

Plus, they are super-cute!! To check out the shop, click here.

Vacation on a Budget -- Part II

Here are some other low-cost or free activities our family enjoyed while on vacation in Montebello, VA. (You could probably do most of these on any camping trip too!)

Mark took Emily to the lake to feed the fish. I think she was throwing in entire hot dog rolls -- they were quite stale. Mark tried to show her to break them up into small pieces, but those fish got mostly huge chunks.

On one of the last days of our vacation, Clara turned one before our very eyes! Incredible! Here she is listening to suffering through the three of us while we attempt to sing Happy Birthday to her.

We splurged on a pony ride for Emily on the last day -- $20. I'm certain she will remember Clover (the pony's name) for a long time.

All four of us went in the paddle boat, but it was too difficult to get a photo while the baby was sitting on my lap. Here's Emily steering the paddle boat while Mark does all the work. The boats were just $4 for an hour.

Another free activity we enjoyed was driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway, and watching the sunset from an overlook. Who knew a kid would have so much fun waiting for the sun to go down?

This was well-worth the wait.

Another place Mark could not resist checking out -- Gertie's Country Store. Borrow a pen, and if you can find a space, sign your name on the walls or ceiling (they are covered with signatures of people who passed through). Try their potato salad, barbeque and slaw, and be sure to meet the owners, who are well-known for their hospitality.
Coming up.... more frugal crafty goodness, another fun giveaway, and recipes for tasty (and cheap) summer eats! Mmmmm!

Vacation on a Budget -- Part I

Here are some more details from our week long vacation in Montebello, VA. It is beautiful there! We stayed in this cute cottage at the Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort. The rates are very reasonable, and the cabin included a full kitchen, two bedrooms, a pull out sofa in the living room, and a full bathroom. You can see more photos of the cabin we stayed in (as well as make reservations for your own camping trip) here.

Mark and I developed an interesting language while we were there. We felt we weren't really camping. Camping involves a tent, and we were hardly "roughing it". So we called it campin'. And if we were doing something, but not really doing it we would leave off the "g". (i.e., shoppin', fishin', hikin').

We cooked all our meals during our stay, and this saved us a lot of money. For Mark, in particular, this trip offered a chance to unplug from everything -- no phone, no internet, no TV, and most importantly no cell phone access.

There is plenty of hiking or hikin' (whichever you prefer) in Montebello, and lots of places to picnic. We went out for picnic lunches almost every day during our stay.

If you are in the area, a must-see attraction is Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge, VA. I have never seen or heard of anything else quite like it. You drive through the zoo and feed the animals right from your car! The zoo can be expensive, but this was a real highlight from our trip.

We also enjoyed swimmin' in the lake, a free activity, and I think the girls enjoyed this the most.

And lots of beautiful overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here's Emily at Big Spy Mountain overlook. Gorgeous and free!

Another free attraction, while in Natural Bridge, VA we came across this very interesting sculpture. It is a full-sized replica of Stonehenge, only this is made from foam -- not stone. It is called Foamhenge, and Mark thought it was pure genius.

More photos, free attractions, and tips to save money while on vacation coming soon....

Vacation Sneak Peek

...And we're back! As many of you guessed, we went away on vacation last week. It was fabulous (and frugal, of course). Right now I'm busy preparing for tomorrow's 10! show, so here are some quick highlights from our trip to beautiful Montebello, Virginia with further details to follow soon. 

Thank you for all the wonderful comments this week. It's great to be back!

Get a Deal on Disney

Disney is now offering a package to buy 4 nights, get 3 more nights with tickets free! Plus, when you travel between 3/1 - 3/9 and 3/17- 3/29, you'll also get a $200 Disney Gift Card. Click here for details.

10 Tips for Planning a Family Vacation on a Budget

Emily enjoys a s'more while on vacation in a Virginia cabin.

It's the start of a new year, and for many people it is a great time to evaluate your vacation plans.  Family vacations can eat up a large portion of your budget, so here are some tips to help you find the best deals and get more for your vacation dollars!

1. Know When to Book --The best time to book your airfare is Wednesday from midnight to 1a.m. in the time zone of the airline's headquarters. For example, United is headquartered in Chicago, and Delta is headquartered in Atlanta. This happens to be the time when the computer systems of most airlines purge the records of the reserved but unbooked lower fare reservations. Take advantage of these low rates immediately after this occurs and you will save big bucks.
2. Research Early --  The more time you have to gather information, the better your savings will be.  The trick to finding the best deals is to plan ahead, so start your vacation search early.
3. Consider Camping --  Camping is usually quite affordable, and promotes quality family time.  Turn off your cell phone and re-connect with nature (and your kids) in the outdoors.  If "roughing it" isn't for you, consider renting a cabin.  Many cabins are fully furnished and some even have cable, high speed internet access, and more.
4. Plan a Series of Day Trips --  This can be a good way to maximize your vacation time by spreading it out over several long weekends at a time.  Staying close to home means you will save money on lodging, gas, and eating out.  Explore local attractions and get to know your area.  One year, we challenged ourselves to visit areas that we could travel to on half a tank of gas or less!
5. Pack Lightly --  Several airlines have hiked up fees for checked-in luggage.  Instead, pack lightly and try using only carry-on luggage instead.  For more tips on this, see How to Pack Lightly.
6. Save When Eating Out --  Rather than eating out for every meal, if you stay in a cabin or beach house you may have access to a kitchen to use to prepare a meal or two a day.  Camping is a great time to enjoyed grilled food.  If you do go out to eat, try a large brunch, skip lunch or have a light snack, and then a reasonable dinner.
7. AAA Discount --  Join AAA for tons of travel discounts on motels and other accommodations.  AAA also offers roadside assistance, which is ideal for long road trips.
8. Entertainment Book --  The Entertainment Book offers discounts on rental cars, hotels, restaurants, area attractions and more.  Frequently, these can be purchased for half-price during the summer months.  Order through uPromise for added college savings.
9. Cruises --  Cruises offer an all inclusive advantage.  Most cruises offer plenty of activities for kids and adults.  All meals and lodging are included.  Research early to find the best deals.
10. Disney Vacation -- For 2009, Disney is offering free park admission on your birthday!  Proof of date of birth is required.  Offer applies to guests ages 3 and up and is open to all.  For more information, click here. Disney vacation packages can be most affordable during the off-peak seasons of fall (late Sept - Nov.) and winter (after the holidays, January).

Are you planning a family vacation on a budget for 2009?  Have a tip I forgot to mention?  Leave a comment and tell us about it!

Save Money on Airfare and Travel

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and it is rapidly approaching.  Traveling does not have to be a huge expense with these money saving tips. You can enjoy a relaxing vacation, even while on a budget. 

Here are some great ways to travel without breaking the bank.

1. When to Book -- The best time to book your airfare is Wednesday from midnight to 1a.m. in the time zone of the airline's headquarters. For example, United is headquartered in Chicago, and Delta is headquartered in Atlanta. This happens to be the time when the computer systems of most airlines purge the records of the reserved but unbooked lower fare reservations. Take advantage of these low rates immediately after this occurs and you will save big bucks.
   
2. When to Travel -- Traveling during the off-peak season can have many perks. Not only do off-peak seasons offer considerably cheaper hotel stays, they also offer fewer crowds, less traffic, and shorter lines.
   
3. Coupons -- Consider purchasing an Entertainment coupon book for the city you will be visiting. These books are usually around $25, and can save you a considerable ammount of money on hotels, car rentals, restaurants, shopping and more. The Entertainment Book is also a great resource for ideas of things to do, and places to go.
   
4. Vacation with Friends -- One of the most memorable vacation experiences can be those shared with other family or friends. Split the bill for a large beach house, or a cabin in the woods. If there is a kitchen available, and you cook your own food, you will save even more money.
   
5. Food & Dining -- Again, the Entertainment Book can be a great resource for dining or eating out. All-you-can-eat buffets usually offer great deals. Also, filling up with a big brunch, skipping lunch, and going someplace nice for an early dinner can save you money while traveling. Find out if any restaurants near your destination offer an early-bird dinner special.