Vacation Budgeting

Can you afford to get in one more family trip during the upcoming Labor Day weekend? According to AAA, 33 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home during the holiday weekend, despite the fact gas prices are hovering near the $4 mark. Clearly, budgeting for gas is a huge factor for families looking to hit the road on a final summer fling, but it isn’t the only financial element to consider. Crunching numbers can provide a major reality check when it comes to vacation planning. However, by doing the math before you leave home, you can … Continue reading

Vacation Savings: Packing Food

Before you get ready to hit the road for your next vacation, have a plan to pack your own food and drinks. You’ll save a ton of money that can be used to help afford your vacation in the first place or to upgrade your accommodations. Plus, you’l eat healthier and waste less time. There is no more making reservations, fighting a long line of other vacationers or having to alter your activity plans to fit in with the scheduled restaurant meal times. When we drove down to Disneyland, we made sure that we had plenty of food and snacks, … Continue reading

Vacation Means a Break from Fitness

Most of us who take a vacation during the summer don’t worry about keeping up with our fitness routines. Yes, I know…there are some die-hard fitness buffs out there that won’t let a vacation stop them from exercising. There is nothing wrong with that but think about the point of a vacation. A vacation is a time to break away from normal. Even taking a break from exercise can actually be a good thing. And it is highly unlikely you will gain all sorts of weight during this time, unless you completely overindulge yourself. It is an opportunity to not … Continue reading

When to Splurge on Vacation

When you are on vacation, it is pretty easy to splurge on just about everything. After all, you are on holiday, right? But if you are frugal minded, you can save quite a bit of money while still having the best time of your life. There are certain things that are worth spending money on and other things that are rip offs. Here is my advice on where to spend your money when you are on vacation. You can spend your money to upgrade your attraction package. Spend the money on passes that allow for all-day free rides, for example, … Continue reading

Luxury Travel—-Private Jet Vacations

Imagine not having to deal with the hassle of luggage fees or wondering if you’ll miss your connecting flight because of weather delays. Those are just a couple of the perks associated with private jet travel. While most of us can only dream of indulging in such a luxury there are some who exclusively fly via private plane. They are the ones who don’t need to look for private jet travel bargains. However, if you have been saving up to splurge on a once in a lifetime trip you might consider the following private jet package deals. Right now TCS … Continue reading

Should I Splurge?

Are there times when you should go ahead and splurge? Do you need to live your entire life on a budget, buying inexpensive items? When is it okay to spend a little extra, and when should you not? If you have been intent on saving money and getting out of debt, it may be difficult to let yourself spend a little extra money. Here are four questions to ask yourself. 1) Can you pay cash for the item? If you answered yes, then you should be fine purchasing the splurge or upgrading your purchase. If you answered no, then you … Continue reading

Tips about Disney Dining Plans

If you’re planning your first time Disney trip, or are a veteran but want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your vacation, the Disney Blog’s deals writer Chris Wood has more great tips for you.  This time around, it’s how to make the most of the Disney Dining Plan. First tip: your Dining Plan benefits start when you check in, so you can begin using them immediately, even if it’s hours until you’re able to get into your room.  This is especially beneficial to know if there’s going to be a meal time between your arrival and … Continue reading

Tips for Disney World Resort Hotel Stays

Today I just learned about a new Disney resort: the Disney Yacht Club resort.  When I say new, I don’t mean that it’s about to be built or to open, but that I had never heard of it before.  The resort’s been around since 1990.  There are just so many hotels at Disney World, it’s hard to remember them all or keep them all straight. It can be a dilemma for those looking to plan a Disney World vacation.  You may have crossed the first hurdle – deciding whether or not you’re going to stay on site – but you … Continue reading

Save on a Trip to Paradise

From mid-September through mid-November you can score some of the cheapest airfare to Hawaii. What’s more, once you arrive in paradise, you can scoop up spectacular fall rates on hotels and rental cars as well. The Aloha State has something for everyone, from breathtaking beaches and active volcanoes to stunning waterfalls and dozens of award-winning golf courses. Hawaii is also home to some of the world’s best outdoor adventures, including year-round paragliding, windsurfing and snorkeling. Unlike most of the continental United States, Hawaii does not experience major temperature fluctuations in the fall. That means you can enjoy incredible weather and … Continue reading

Budget Busting Babies

Have you ever sat down and calculated how much money you’ve spent raising your child? Think about it; if you crunched the numbers from the moment you first discovered you were pregnant until today, the amount of cash you’ve likely dropped on your precious bundle of joy probably exceeds five figures. It’s no surprise that the cost associated with raising kids is a hot topic among parents. So much so that you can visit just about any baby-centric website these days and calculate how much a child will set you back financially. For example, Babycenter.com features a handy dandy calculator … Continue reading