Common Sense Money-Savers

You don’t need to be a financial guru in order to save on a family vacation. Rather, all you need is a little common sense. By following these simple tips the next time you head out on a seasonal escape, you can spare your wallet a major dent: Stay with Family or Friends: By staying with a loved one instead of at a hotel, you can save a ton of money. However, there are certain rules to consider so that you don’t burn your accommodation bridge, including not overstaying your welcome. It’s important to leave when you say you are … Continue reading

CityPass Goes Southern

Regular readers of this blog know how much I adore the CityPass program. If your family is traveling to a major city and plans to visit as many attractions as possible the CityPass is the most economical way to go. And just in time for the busy summer travel season the CityPass is going southern. The discount attraction booklet, is launching the Houston CityPass on May 13th. It’s a monumental announcement given that it will be the first CityPass in Texas and the only CityPass in the Southwest. The Houston CityPass costs $34 for adults and $24 for ages 4-11 … Continue reading

Do CityPasses Really Save Money?

In my previous blog I listed some of the top city card programs in the world. The popular discount cards afford travelers access to multiple attractions for a flat (reduced) fee. So what’s the catch? While the cards are money savers, in some cases they do require speedy sightseeing. And there is the issue of whether or not they are worth getting for your entire family. If you plan to visit as many sites in one city as possible and have the time to make the most of them, then almost any of these discount cards with a decent validity … Continue reading

Saving Money on Your Vacation—-The CityPass

I am all about the CityPass. I’ve sung its praises in previous blogs and I still maintain that for most families the special discount card (which is available in major cities) offers big savings if you plan to visit popular attractions on your trip of a lifetime. CityPasses allow tourists to gain “free” admission or across-the-board discounts to multiple attractions in a specific metropolitan area. Whether they are the best deal for every family is something I will delve into in my next blog. For now I wanted to detail some of the world’s most popular CityPasses. New York CityPass. … Continue reading

Saving Money On The Road

One of the best gifts I received upon graduating from college was a membership to AAA. Sure the AAA membership and a new car would have been even more reason to celebrate… But, seriously, I consider the auto club membership one of the smartest travel investments a person can make. And these days who isn’t looking for a way to save money while on the road? From record high gas prices to sky-high airfare—family travel is not exactly cheap. However, there are a few ways you can make it from point A to point B without breaking the bank. The … Continue reading

Every Penny Counts

When you are living on a budget; every penny counts, which is why you want to do your homework before jetting off on a family vacation. These days travel-related expenses can add up very quickly. To avoid going broke when traveling this holiday season, consider the following: Online Booking: Online booking is convenient, but you don’t always know if you are snagging the best deal. Often, travelers are left wondering if they should buy now or wait for a fare sale. One way to answer this is to check the flight’s occupancy. If there are only a few seats left, … Continue reading

Get It While It’s Free

When was the last time you calculated the entire cost of your vacation? And by entire, I mean from the trip planning stage until the minute you pull back into your driveway following your dream getaway. Many people neglect to tally the total cost of a trip. Consequently, they aren’t able to determine ways to save on their next escape. One of the best ways to cut costs when traveling is to utilize free trip planning services. The Internet is teeming with sites aimed to help you to get from point A to point B in the most convenient way … Continue reading

Public Transportation: The Way to Go!

I know, I know, it doesn’t seem to be the first thing people want to consider about when talking about green living. Americans have become so dependent on their cars and I must admit that the thought of public transportation makes me cringe sometimes. Not being able to leave somewhere or go somewhere else when I want it is hard to swallow, but when I started reading about all the benefits of public transportation, I started to change my mind a bit. By taking public transportation, Americans can limit the amount of greenhouse gases and smog-producing pollutants. Did you know … Continue reading

Travel Guides: Are They Worth It?

I am a huge advocate of travel guides. Though being that I am a relentless organizer and planner this is no surprise. I am also a member of AAA so stocking up on travel guides is easy since I can get them for free (or at least as a part of my annual membership fee). This doesn’t mean I carry a travel guide whenever I leave my home, but I do consult one whenever I am traveling to a place I am unfamiliar with. AAA’s travel guides are very helpful when it comes to finding the best lodgings available, but … Continue reading

Totally Hip Toronto

Toronto, Canada is a bustling metropolis situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario and home to some of the most popular music festivals in the world. The hip and happening family-friendly events draw millions of visitors to the area each year. From jazz festivals and operas to drumming competitions and guitar jams, Toronto has you covered. But that’s not the only cultural event the city has going for it. Art lovers have their day in Toronto as well. Each year the Canadian city plays host to a massive international arts festival complete with visual art displays and numerous theatre … Continue reading