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Last-Minute Fourth of July Travel Bargains

Don’t feel like celebrating America’s birthday in your backyard this year? Changing party venues doesn’t have to cost you a pretty penny if you take advantage of last-minute deals.  By waiting this late in the game to book a hotel stay for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, you stand to save a bundle. For example, New York City is showing a slew of savings for Independence Day visitors.  According to travel app HotelTonight, which specializes in finding deeply discounted rates for same-day hotel stays, many rooms in the heart of NYC are going for a mere $100.  That’s a … Continue reading →

Last Minute Summer Fun the Frugal Way

It seemed as though we woke up one day and realized that summer vacation was almost over. My husband finally got some time off, so we planned some vacation time. Of course, we tried to do it as frugally as we could. Here are some of the ways that we saved. We chose local attractions, within two hours drive. This way, we wouldn’t have to spend money on accommodations, which can be a significant cost when you a family of five. Most hotels will not accommodate families of more than four in a regular hotel room, which means you either … Continue reading →

How to Lower Expenses without Giving Up the Luxuries

Current frugal advice is all about giving up the little things, such as the mocha coffee or the cable television. But what if you could lower your household and general expenses each month without permanently giving up the little things that make your life more fun? It is possible. In order to lower your expenses without giving up the luxuries, you can do one of two things. You can either find a way to get that item or service for less, or you can temporarily suspend it when it doesn’t impact your life. Let us take that last one first, … Continue reading →

Sail Into Summer

Summer cruises are extremely popular with travelers looking to spend part of the season on the high seas. In addition to providing an excellent escape from the hustle and bustle of their land-based lives, summer sailings offer families a cost-effective vacation option, as they can bundle all of their expenses into one low price. The key to saving on a cruise is to time your departure just right. For example, you are more likely to score deep discounts if you wait until the end of summer to sail. Many families hit the high seas as soon as school gets out, … Continue reading →

Do You Pay Attention to Street Signs?

Stop. Slow Children at Play. Do Not Pass. Yield. Merge. We see these words and phrases on signs as we travel along roads across the United States, but how often do we really heed the warning? I readily admit that I’ve come to a rolling stop on more than just a few occasions. In fact, three years ago, I was pulled over for failing to come to a complete stop at an intersection between a middle school and a high school. Fortunately, I got off with just a warning. Had the police officer not been so generous I would’ve had … Continue reading →

Budget Baby Book

Besides vacations and weddings, the most popular theme for scrapbooks is baby. Preserving adorable baby photos, as well as memorabilia, stories and fun facts from the first days of a child’s life is almost irresistible for moms and dads. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can craft a baby scrapbook without breaking the bank. One of the most convenient options is to tap into free printables. These money-saving embellishments allow you to create an eye-popping baby book without draining Junior’s college fund. All you need is Internet access, a computer and a color printer. My daughter’s baby scrapbook … Continue reading →

Ways to Save on a Six Flags Staycation

It’s never a good day when travelers are actually excited to see gas prices hovering near $4. Three dollars and 89 cents for a gallon of unleaded–SCORE!! While the cost of gas has fallen slightly in the last couple weeks, from its highest levels since July 2008, Americans are still paying nearly a dollar more per gallon than a year ago. As a result, families from coast-to-coast continue to restructure their summer vacation plans in order to preserve their household budgets, and still have fun in the sun. That goes double for clans living in and around Chicago. According to … Continue reading →

Planning a Resort Vacation pt 1

Summer is here and it is time to get away as a family. If you are like most families, you took a staycation s last year. This year, you may be more inclined to actually go somewhere special. A resort vacation will probably fit the bill. With that said, going to a resort for vacation does not mean throwing all rules on frugality out of the window. Instead, you should be even more frugal than normal in order to get the best vacation for the least money. Here are some things you should do when planning a frugal vacation: Decide … Continue reading →

Fun Outdoor Activities for Families

Good news for cash-strapped families: You don’t need to put the brakes on your summer road trip because you’re pinching pennies. Dozens of cities across the country are offering free family fun in the sun this summer. Take a look at these outdoor adventures that won’t cost you a penny to partake in: VIRGINIA Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is best known for its wild pony round-ups that take place each July. However, the 14,000-acre park also features dozens of other free activities, including bird watching, kayaking, and fishing. The refuge is filled with dunes, marshes and maritime forests. You can … Continue reading →

Free Vacations

Just because you don’t have the budget for it doesn’t mean that you can’t have one! Here are some ways to snag some great free vacations. Explore the city I just got a list of all of the fun and free things that we could do nearby in Philadelphia! There are historic sites, museums, music concerts, walking tours and more that are absolutely free. I also found out that one famous theater opens its doors free to the public for the final dress rehearsal before the show. The rehearsal is just like the normal show, complete with costumes, lights, props … Continue reading →