Category: Travel and Vacations

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day craziness of raising your family, but the last thing you want is for those 18 precious years to go by without making valuable memories. A family vacation is a perfect remedy.

Unfortunately, if you don’t play your cards right, that vacation will also leave you with months or years of debt. But it doesn’t have to. If you’re looking for cheap getaways for the whole family, check out these frugal vacations and cheap travel tips.

Cheap Getaways for Families

Not everyone likes the same types of vacations, but there are inexpensive options for every taste.

For the Country Star – Nashville

Nashville has been an increasingly popular destination for the past few years, and it has something for everyone. While the party scene is attractive for young adults, kids (especially country lovers) have plenty to see as well.

On top of music-based attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame and many venues, Nashville has the classic city attractions like zoos and museums.

For the History Buffs – Philadelphia

If your kids love to learn, a historical place like Philadelphia is the perfect destination. Philadelphia’s historic district is full of places to learn about America’s story.

Many of these locations are free or low-cost, and they’re all just a short walk apart, making for easy planning and transportation.

For the Eco-Tourist – Denver

For a family that loves to enjoy the great outdoors, you just can’t beat the views in the Denver area. Whether you and your kids enjoy camping, hiking, or other activities in the fresh air, it’s a beautiful locale.

As an added bonus, you have all the amenities of a city nearby for emergencies and conveniences alike.

For the Beach Bums – Pensacola

For many families, lounging and playing on the beach is the perfect relaxing vacation. The problem is that the accommodations and attractions on the most popular beach towns are pricey.

Pensacola, on the other hand, has stayed lower under the radar than places like Myrtle Beach and much of the west coast. And yet, there are still plenty of relaxing, quiet beaches where your family can have a great time.

Tips for Cheap Getaways for Families

On top of knowing where to go, there are other tricks you can use to make your family vacations affordable.

Look for Package Deals

Once you decide on a location, look for pre-set tour packages and other package deals. These can be great ways to find savings on the same activities you’d do otherwise, so do some research before you book your vacation.

Think Outside the Box for Housing Arrangements

Your hotel is one of the most expensive parts of any vacation. Explore options like AirBnB and VRBO, where you may be able to get more space for a lower cost.

Ask the Locals

Mainstream tourist attractions tend to be expensive. To keep your costs down and get a better feel for the area you’re visiting, talk to anyone you know who lives in the area (or a friend of a friend).

DIY Your Meals

Dining out is a major expense during a family vacation. While it’s great to try some local hotspots, don’t underestimate how much fun you can have cooking on vacation. Try bringing a picnic to the beach or the park, or make a campfire.

Having a Great Vacation While Saving Money

It is 100% possible to have a great family vacation on a budget, no matter what your kids’ ages and interests are. You just have to know how and be willing to do some work.

For more budget-saving tips (to help you save up for that vacation), check out my other frugal living tips.

What’s not to love about taking a Caribbean vacation? You get to take off work, explore a new area, and not have a worry in the world.

Of course, like anything else, a vacation costs money. So how do you save?

The easiest way is to look online for the best Caribbean vacation deals. Once the costs go down, whip out that credit card and book it! It’s easy, and we’re here to show you some quick tips on how you can do it!

Pick the Right Island

Airfare is going to be the most expensive part of the trip, so pick wisely. JetBlue offers low fares to Nassua, Montego Bay, and Barbados, while Spirit offers trips to Aruba and San Juan.

Southwest goes everywhere, but do they offer the lowest fares?

Maybe not. Keep checking airfare calendars to see when the lowest rates are and plan accordingly.

Have you ever been to Aruba? St. Lucia? Barbados? The opportunities are endless.

Consider going on the Galapagos Islands tours. With all that extra money you’ll save on cheap airfare, why not book another tour You won’t regret it!

Ask for Suggestions

Has any of your family or close friends ever been to the Caribbean? Where did they go?

Ask them how they went about planning the trip. They may have some extremely helpful suggestions that you’ve never even thought of!

How did they check for freebies or any kind of package deals? Ask them and find out how!

Book at the Right Time of Year

Of course, the busiest time to travel to the Caribbean is during the winter. Everyone is trying to get away from the cold and celebrate Christmas in their shorts.

Also, keep in mind of spring breakers. If you can handle the hotter weather and hurricane season, it is best to book over the summer and up until the fall.

Consider a Cruise

Did you know that 43% of people went to the Caribbean on a cruise?

The best part about a cruise are the accommodations, transportation, and all-inclusive meals. Some cruises even go to multiple islands! All you have to do is find the nearest port and book.

The Caribbean Vacation Deals Are out There

It’s all about knowing what you want to do. Consider staying at an all-inclusive resort if you want to be surrounded by the beach and pools.

Weigh out the pros and cons of a resort versus a hotel. Is it kid-friendly? Are meals included? Are there activities on the property for guests?

Rent a Villa or Guesthouse

The cost of people eating out has increased at a rate of 2.7%. The best thing to do is rent a guesthouse or a hotel with a kitchenette so you can cook your own meals.

Evaluate your meal plan and consider eating where the locals do. Eating at usual tourist stops will easily rack up your expenses.

How We Can Help

Sometimes it’s not easy to plan a Caribbean vacation, especially if you’ve never been there.

Are you still not sure about which island to pick? We can help you find the best Caribbean vacation deals!

We’ve got information on how you and your family can all pitch in to help each other plan the tropical vacation of your dreams.

Fishing can be a fun and inexpensive way to spend some time together as a family. Even better, if you’re traveling, it’s an easy way to keep the kids (and, let’s be honest, husband) entertained.

The best part is that you don’t have to be near some exotic ocean to see some really cool fish. Many of the best locations are a lot closer than you may think!

From lakes and ponds to rivers and oceans, there are many places to incorporate a fishing trip into your vacation. If it’s time for a get-away, consider these 8 destinations, that are fun for the whole family.

1. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

That’s right, mom. You can send the family off for a day at the pier, while you sit back and enjoy one of the country’s most relaxing islands.

Martha’s Vineyard is recognized as one of the best fishing destinations in the U.S. You can expect to see lots of Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito and False Albacore. Medium-sized fish are fairly common throughout the Northeast region.

Its location makes it a premier stop in the migratory season, which happens in June and September. (However, migration routes vary greatly from day-to-day. So, check out the themarinebattery.com for the best fish finder.)

2. Hatteras Island, North Carolina

Hatteras is another destination that’s popular for fishing that will keep you busy. The “blue marlin capital of the world” is also popular for shopping and beach lounging.

Some of the best charter fishing happens off the coast of this Outer Banks island. But, you don’t even have to rent out space on a boat to make this an excellent fishing trip. You can angle away from the stunning beach shore.

Being on the central Atlantic coast, you’ll see plenty of Yellow Fin Tuna and Mahi Mahi. You can even catch your own dinner!

3. Kona, Hawaii

How nice does Hawaii sound my friend? The state’s largest island is home to the top deep sea fishing destination in the world.

You can fish from miles of white-sand beach that’s also surrounded by 5 mountain peaks. Or, if you’ve embraced the aloha spirit, maybe a local will be nice enough to take you out to where the real action is.

Off the shores of Kona, you can catch fish up to 300 pounds, such as the Pacific Blue. After this crazy excursion, relax with a Mai Tai in-hand, while also enjoying your hand-caught supper.

4. Amazon Basin, Brazil

If you’re up for a really adventurous fishing trip, look no further than Brazil. The largest city in the Amazon rainforest, Manaus, is a mecca of freshwater fish.

Holding nearly 3,000 species, the Amazona waters offer a wide range of biodiversity. Although there are endless new faces to see, many travel to Brazil to capture the rare speckled peacock bass.

The Amazon is also great for piranha fishing if your family is up for a real challenge. In Manaus, several companies will take you off-shore so you can catch some of the tiny chompers. Be careful though- their bite can cut through fingers.

5. Cairns, Australia

Along the Great Barrier Reef, about anyone can find a slew of saltwater fish to reel in. But, it takes a real pro to capture the sought-after giant black marlin.

These babies swim up to 80 miles per hour and weigh over 1000 pounds. The 150-mile stretch between Cairns and Lizard Island is the best place to land one of these beasts.

Many come to this Queensland city just for a fishing trip. But, I’m confident you’ll find much more going on in the “gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef”. (It’s also deemed Australia’s most adventurous city.)

6. Betty Lake, Colorado

Betty Lake is truly one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. To access this small-but-mighty body of water, you have to drive to Nederland and hike nearly 6 miles.

For that reason, this may not be suited for little ones. But, the terrain is fairly easy and you’re surrounded by the Indians Peak Wilderness throughout the entire trail. You’ll be able to take in some stellar views along the way!

This lake is perfect for those who looking for a more serene and intimate fishing experience. It’s easy to get lost in the lush green trees and mountain tops that surround this wilderness park. Also, it’s a popular spout to catch some trout.

7. Montauk, New York

Like Martha’s Vineyard, this is a great destination to fish in the migratory seasons. It’s best to visit Montauk throughout the fall when hundreds of new species are coming in.

You can expect to see lots of smaller fish, so this could be a good spot for little ones. Bluefish, Striped Bass, and Albacore are really popular in this area.

Montauk is located at the eastern tip of Long Island. So, you can spend a relaxing day at the pier after the kids’ first trip in the bustling city.

8. Ascension Bay, Mexico

Nearly 100 miles south of Cancun sits one of the best fly-fishing destinations in the world. Ascension Bay’s saltwater has many exotic fish species, as well as some regular guys, such as Permit and Bonefish.

This destination is great for families looking to travel in the offseason, especially January and February. If your kids get some time off for spring break, book the flight and grab your gear! Mexico is calling!

You can stay at Punta Allen in Quintana. This large village has miles of beach land for you to conquer.

Where are you going for your fishing trip?

The states have some pretty spectacular fishing regions, which is great for us thrifty mommas. But, go beyond our country lines to experience some of the best fishing in all of the world!

If you’re looking to take a trip soon, you’ve got to check out the Travel section. You’ll find tips for vacationing on a budget, traveling with kids, and much more! Also, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!

Pristine and world ranked beaches, wildlife, adventurous family-friendly theme parks, and hundreds of museums and entertainment locations, Florida has so much to offer.

How do you choose where to visit for your next Florida trip?

Here is a guide to help! Keep reading to learn what makes these cities the best places to visit in Florida.

1. St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is ranked #1 best places to visit in Florida by U.S. News and World Report for lots of reasons.

To start, St. Petersburg neighbors Clearwater beach, which is ranked one of the world’s best beaches for its white sand and beautiful clear water.

St. Pete has it’s own beautiful top-ranked beaches, too, where you can find vacation spots for every type of traveler. Whether you want lively spring break-style fun, water adventure, or a more quiet and relaxing vacation, you can find it in St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg downtown hosts an array of entertainment, shopping, art, and exceptional food. It is an artistic and hip place with something for everyone.

If you like craft beer, then you’ll definitely enjoy St. Pete’s beer scene. And did I mention the food? Well, it’s amazing featuring everything from Latin, Cuban, Cajun, American, Italian, and more.

Downtown is also home to historical architecture and museums including the world famous Dali museum.

And if you’re a baseball fan, you can catch a game at the Tampa Bay Rays stadium in downtown St. Pete.

St. Petersburg is a great place to vacation for the adventurers out there. It is home to many historical sites, including archeological ones like Fort De Soto. St. Pete also features tons of parks and preserves where you can see beautiful nature and wildlife.

Last but not least, if you are a dog owner then St. Pete is the place for you. The town of St. Petersburg was ranked the most pet-friendly city in the country last year!

2. St. Augustine

This one is for the history buffs out there!

St. Augustine, Florida is the country’s oldest city, founded by Spain in 1565. Visiting this beautiful city is like stepping back in time and into a whole new country.

The Spanish architecture and culture is vast and gorgeous. There are tons of historical sites to visits including forts, museums, and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

The city sits on the Atlantic ocean and features harbors and nearby beaches. You can experience the typical beach vacation while exploring our nations oldest history.

And if you’re into Spanish food, there’s lots of it to be had in St. Augustine!

3. Orlando

While you won’t find white-sand beaches, Orlando has tons of fun to offer. It is ranked #1 in best places to visit in Florida for family vacations.

Orlando is home to the happiest place on earth–Disney World. Disney provides a world of theme parks, shopping, shows, delicious treats, and more. There is something for everyone, not just children.

Check out my tips for planning a Disney trip with children.

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure provide additional fun and entertainment. They offer movie-themed rides and shows from our favorite films including a real-life adventure through the world of Harry Potter.

We highly recommend doing the Universal VIP tours for a personalized experience without the waits!

Orlando has more than just theme parks, though. There are renowned outlet malls for exceptional shopping, tons of restaurants featuring top-ranked chefs, and exciting nightlife downtown.

4. Siesta Key, Sarasota

Siesta Key beach in Sarasota, Florida, was ranked the country’s #1 beach in 2017 and for good reason. The beach features shiny white sand, clear waters, cleanliness, and preserved nature. It truly is the perfect place to get away to and relax.

Plus, it is one of the larger beaches in Florida. So, you can wander the shoreline for hours and find different things to do in different areas. Whether you want to play sand volleyball or get lost in nature, you can!

Sarasota itself has a lot to offer, too. The shopping, great food, boutiques, Ringley museum, fishing, and more make Sarasota one of the best places to visit in Florida.

These are just some reasons why celebrities choose Siesta Key and Sarasota for their home.

5. Miami

Welcome to Miami! The home of celebrities, famous pristine beaches, the country’s best Cuban food, and more shopping than you can handle.

Miami is full of life, culture, and fun. It is one of the best places to visit in Florida if you’re looking for nightlife, dancing, and vibrancy. It is also a place to find trendy restaurants featuring world-renowned chefs.

And don’t forget about the beaches. Miami’s South Beach is ranked #4 for U.S. best beaches. Fort Lauderdale, another ranked beach, is nearby as well.

Both beaches and surrounding areas feature fun-in-the-sun such as parasailing, watersports, and deep sea fishing.

6. Key West

The southernmost point of the United States can be found in the Florida Keys. Surrounded by clear water, the island of Key West is a place everyone should visit.

Key West features adventure and relaxation. There are beaches everywhere you turn with teal waters and exotic corals. You can find spas, retreats, and resorts, too.

For the adventurer, Key West offers some of the best sea fishing in the country. In addition, there’s snorkeling and scuba diving, watersports, and lots of cute walks or bike ride to be had.

If you’re into history and reading, you can’t pass up seeing Earnest Hemmingway’s home!

7. Crystal River

Crystal River is an underrated vacation spot where local Floridians escape to for their own vacations. It is perfect for the nature-lovers out there who want to escape into wildlife and peacefulness.

Crystal River sits on Kings Bay, which is a spring-fed bay. There are natural fresh-water springs that you can swim in where the water stays cool and crystal clear all year. You can literally see the bottom.

Crystal River also features kayaking, canoeing, scalloping, fishing, and manatee watching. There are wildlife refuges surrounding the town and an early Native American archeological site on the northwest side.

Best Places to Visit in Florida–Where Will You Go?

Whichever place you choose to visit in Florida, you won’t regret it.

Once you’ve decided, check out our tips on vacation planning, packing, deals, and more.

If you’re looking to start saving for that vacation, we can help with that too. We have tons of unique ways that you can earn extra money.

Based on a recent study of when to get the cheapest flights, you should plan to buy your ticket exactly 54 days ahead of time. While this is ideal for the planners among us, it’s not exactly the most fun and spontaneous way to travel.

Whether it’s stress-driven or just the need for excitement, passing up a last-minute vacation can make you feel all sorts of regret.

Even if you get to travel for work, you’re still jetting around in the context of your obligations. To truly relax your mind and body, you need to be able to book a couple of days every few months where you can shake loose your responsibilities.

A little planning could make the experience all the better.

If you’re a serious schedule who is trying to break free of your habits, follow these 10 tips for planning your last-minute vacation.

1. You’ll Have to be Flexible

If you want to save a few hundred dollars, avoid flying on Friday and Sunday. If you have a flexible work schedule, work through a weekend and plan your trip for a Monday through Thursday for better prices.

Several ticketing websites will allow you to see a side-by-side comparison of different prices.

Change the length of your stay by a few days and you could save even more. Places with big tourism industries and daily flights in and out of their airports will have lots of last minute deals. You’ll see more last-minute vacation deals for someplace like Bermuda than for Omaha.

2. Choose Your Flight First

One of the biggest showstoppers for a last-minute vacation is prohibitively expensive airfare. If you happen to live someplace where you can be on a vacation in a couple of hours by tossing your bag into the car, then take advantage of that when you can.

Otherwise, you’ll be at the mercy of the price of a flight.

Lots of deals are found at 14 to 21 days before you plan to leave. Typically flights get more expansive as you get closer to the departure date.

If you’re looking to get to a beach, any beach at all, you could stumble upon a great deal if you keep hitting that refresh button during your lunch break at work.

3. Check Your Passport

Depending on where you’re headed, you might need to bring a passport. If you haven’t updated yours in a while, double check that it’s still valid. You might be surprised to find out that it expired since the last time you traveled with it.

While getting a new passport at the last minute is a serious headache, expedited passport renewal exists for people in that situation. Hopefully, you’re in luck and you don’t have to renew your passport before your last-minute vacation.

You should double check just to be on the safe side. Planning in advance is nice but it’s not always an option.

4. Update Your Medical Details

If you’ve started taking a new medication since the last time you traveled, make sure you’ve got plenty of back-ups before you leave. Even just a few days without your medication could be ruined without it.

Make sure any documentation you need for your meds is handy. Having things confiscated at the airport is no way to start your vacation. Prepare a little bag with just the health and wellness essentials so that you can just toss it into your bag as you’re packing.

If you have a prescription, take a photo of it on your phone so that in the worst case, you might be able to get a small dosage while you’re out of town.

5. Go For The Off Season

If you’re looking to get to a popular vacation spot like Orlando or Martha’s Vineyard over the holidays or on the Fourth of July, you’ll be paying top dollar. You’ll have to book months in advance, pay the highest price for hotels, and struggle to rent a car.

If you go in October instead, you could get a much better deal and end up having no trouble booking any amenities. You’ll also be avoiding all the loud and sweaty crowds of people.

Do something local on the popular end of the season and then enjoy the best vacation spots during the off-season.

6. Ask A Travel Expert

If you’ can’t decide where to go and money really isn’t an issue, contact an agent or a travel expert to help you out.

If you don’t know the difference between the islands of Hawaii or whether you should go to Albany, Georgia over Albany, New York, ask an expert. You’ll get tips on where to stay, places to eat, and things to see. They might even use their personal contacts to get you a good deal or some nice upgrades to your hotel.

7. Non-Refundable Means Non-Refundable

Have you ever tried to get a refund for something that was labeled “non-refundable?” You’re basically up against a brick wall.

While some hotels and flights will give you as much as a 24-hour window to decide last minute you don’t want to stay, others will charge you anyway. Make sure that if there’s a possibility you’ll get a cold before your last-minute vacation that you’ve purchased some kind of insurance or refundable policy.

8. If It’s Too Good to be True, Run

Any deal that seems too good to be true probably is just that. Avoid getting ripped off if you don’t think you’re going to get what you’re being promised. Look for online reviews if possible.

9. Waitlists Work

Getting on a waitlist could get you put on a flight for a super low price. If you can’t afford the going price of a ticket for the Bahamas, make a call to the airline and see if they can offer you a waitlist deal if your schedule is flexibl\e.

10. Pack Today

Don’t save your packing until the last minute. You’ll forget something important like your bathing suit for the beach or your binoculars for a birdwatching tour. Do it with plenty of time so you can think through your baggage carefully.

A Last-Minute Vacation Will Be Memorable

Doing something spontaneously is a great way to make a permanent memory. You’ll have fun doing things you never thought you’d be doing a week before with people you might never see again. Stay loose and let the world show you how to have fun.

If you’re ready to book your next vacation, contact us for more tips on how to save money.