If you’re heading out on vacation by car, you’ll want to keep the kiddos busy without spending too much cash. Here are some ideas…

$0.10-1.00 thrift store books: For under $10 you can pick up a huge assortment of books and magazines your kids have never read at the thrift store.
$2.00 marshmallows and toothpicks: Give these to bored kids and let them build small people and buildings. This is sticky if the kids start munching, so have some hand wipes at the ready.
$5.00 – DIY travel art easel – you can buy one for $30 or buy each child an inexpensive …read more

Most of us have heard of home exchanges now, due to that cute movie The Holiday. But, finding a new main squeeze isn’t really the biggest benefit of a home swap. Home swapping is also one great way to save money on your summer vacation. However, according to a piece posted at Boston.com you always need to be very careful when going into a home swap.

Obviously a home swap rocks because it saves you on lodging, normally one of the largest costs of summer travel (minus actual transport). It can also be a more homey experience and offers more space …read more

Hope this helps you brave the cold this week.

I am still unpacking from our trip and I hate it.  Why does it seem to take an hour or so throw everything in a suitcase but an entire day to unpack it.  And I came home with all CLEAN clothes.  Now I just have to find a place to put all these new toys.
Also, I now have another broken suitcase.  So much for my great deal on a new set of luggage!

Let me let you in on a little secret … STAY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.  We didn’t and I am still exhausted.  So I thought I would share my holiday with you so you can see how staying home is an option worth considering.
I would like to say, however, that we really enjoyed seeing family.  We only get to go home once a year but this year seemed especially hectic for some reason.
Dec 23rd – I worked a 10 hour shift and packed some
Dec 24th – I worked an 8 hour shift and packed some
Dec 25th – We flew to …read more

My hubby and I have worked a very long 10 days straight.  We’re ready for some rest and relaxation.  He found us a B&B on the coast, not too far from where my parents live.  We’re taking the kids to my parents’ house today and then we’ll head to our relaxing destination.
For our family, timeshares just don’t work.  The fees each year cost more than we typically spend on a hotel.  Along with their fees, you have to pay around $10,000 for the property, rights, whatever they’re called. 
So I’m curious . . . do you have a timeshare?  Do you …read more

OK, so I have a Travelocity fair alert notification so that if the prices drop $50, they email me.  It’s much more convenient this way than to worry about going online to check prices every day.  Right now, I could get tickets to see my dad and sisters for less than $300.  Now that is cheaper than I have seen it in a while.  the kicker is that you have to travel before the holidays.  So that knocks me out.  But you can get good deals right now if you are going to travel any time soon.   Just make sure …read more

There are still good guys out there in the airline industry.  United Airlines gaveus our tickets to go to my grandma’s funeral at a deeply discounted price.  I was a little disappointed when I paid since they charged me a $20 fee for booking at the airport per ticket.  Well, here we were getting off the plane at our little airport in town and the guy that sold me the tickets was waiting for me.  He verified my name, although he picked me out as soon as I got off the plane, and told me that they had overcharged me.  …read more

Since my family never lives near me and I always have to fly, the new that US Air and United (I am not even going to put links because I am so mad) will now start charging for any baggage over your first checked bag drives me crazy! Now, if you have more than one bag, it is $25 for the second checked bag and who knows what for the third! OH MAN!!! Now I am going to have t pack for a family of 4 in just 3 bags. Anybody try to pack shoes and …read more

Travelocity has their cruises and certain destinations on sale. Want a quick getaway? They have several spur of the moment deals if you are feeling adventurous and don’t want to spend a lot of money.  Also, I have a friend that goes home to see his family really cheap.  He will periodically go to the airport and ask if they need to fill a plane to his home town.  Every once in a while, they are  in need of selling tickets and he gets them for like half price.  Just a few ideas as to how to save …read more