Category: Travel and Vacations

A cruise with your loved ones is a once in a lifetime experience for many that they will cherish forever. But if you’ve traveled with your family before, you know how hectic that experience can be.

It’s important to have a plan in place so your family cruise sails as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips that you should keep in mind when planning your cruise.

Have a Discussion

Even if you are the primary vacation planner in your family, it’s important to involve everyone in your cruise decision. You don’t want anyone to be unhappy while you’re trying to have the time of your lives.

Talk to your family about where you want to set sail. Do you want to cruise around the Caribbean or Central America? Maybe you prefer a cruise through the Mediterranean? Or perhaps you want an Alaskan adventure.

You might even want to take a river or lake cruise, like what Wayzata Bay Charters offer.

Keep in mind that the destination you are cruising to will heavily influence the duration of your cruise. Make sure that everyone is available for the dates that you end up choosing.

Choose When and Where Wisely

Deciding on where to cruise can be relatively easy, because a lot of people have dream destinations in mind. But figuring out when to go might be more tricky.

It may make sense for you and your family to set sail in the summertime when the kids are off at school and things may be relatively slow at your job. But this is when cruise costs are at their highest.

Depending on the cruise line you book, you may end up saving half the cost if you decide to go in the offseason. But this offseason does depend on where your destination is.

If you’re sailing to a place like Alaska, you may not be able to book a cruise for certain times of the year. Make sure you do your research so you’re not paying an exorbitant amount of money unnecessarily.

Watch Out For Deals

There are always deals and discounts available through cruise lines and travel agents, especially for a family cruise. If you’re traveling with children, you may be able to receive a hefty discount or possibly free travel on certain dates.

You will likely be able to save a lot of money if you’re able to book the cruise far ahead of time. Your flight to the port you will be leaving from will also probably be much cheaper.

This is not always possible, especially for large families, but the earlier you plan your trip, the less it will cost you in the long run. This is a great way to ensure that your vacation stays under budget.

Focus on a Family-Friendly Atmosphere

The important thing to take note of is not all cruise lines are exclusively family-friendly. The reality is that if you attempt to book a lower cost cruise line during Spring Break season, you’re going to run into some partiers.

Do some research into cruise lines that tout a family-friendly atmosphere so everyone in your family feels comfortable. Some of these lines will have special themes or experiences that will keep kids and adults entertained.

The idea behind a family-friendly cruise experience is that everyone has something to do. If your kids get bored while on the boat or at port, it’s going to be hard for anybody to have a good time.

Plan Your Excursions

Excursions are an essential part of the cruise experience, and one that not enough families plan for ahead of time. Did you know that in most cases, you can start booking excursions as soon as your reserve your cruise?

This way you will be able to choose from the wide range of options that your cruise line offers. If you wait until the last minute, you won’t have that luxury.

Common excursion offerings include snorkeling, scuba diving, tours, and more. Choose an excursion that highlights the unique appeal of the locale you will be visiting.

If your cruise line allows it, you may be able to book excursions through a third-party service. This can be a great way to save money. Just make sure that you research the company ahead of time to make sure they are reputable.

Furthermore, you’ll likely need to keep track of time yourself while on a third-party excursion, so make sure you get back to your boat in time. You don’t want to be stuck in port!

Spend Time Together and Apart

The best thing about a cruise is that you’ll have ample time to spend quality time with your loved ones. You should take advantage of that time as much as possible. But being together in close quarters can start to get trying after a couple days.

That’s why most cruise lines offer kid-friendly and adults-only areas of the ship, so every member of your family can get some time to do things for themselves. Give your kids some time to socialize while you relax at a private pool.

Then, meet up later for dinner and catch an evening show. You can be as flexible with your schedule as you want!

Talk About Safety

Cruises are generally very safe, but it’s still important to have a conversation with your family about making smart decisions. Pay attention to the safety debriefing before you set sail.

You may not have cell phone access, so make sure you designate a meeting spot on the boat in case one of you gets lost. Keep track of your family and your belongings when you’re at port.

In some area, tourists are targeted for petty crimes, so you should make sure you stick together when you’re off the boat.

Stay Organized on Your Family Cruise

The key to having a fantastic family cruise is to stay as organized as possible. It’s okay to be flexible, but make sure you have a plan in place so you don’t waste any time!

Do you have any stories about your family cruise? Share it with us in the comments! And don’t forget to check out the rest of our blog for more money-saving tips.

Did you know that New York City boasts an average of 60 million tourists every year?

But while large cities on the east coast are popular, they can also be expensive. Luckily, there is a wide variety of affordable, lesser-known cities on the east coast that are just waiting to be discovered.

If you’re looking for a unique vacation this summer, you can’t go wrong with one of these smaller east coast cities.

Salem, Massachusetts

Just north of the busy city of Boston is the smaller town of Salem, Massachusetts. Of course, Salem is best known for the famous witch trials that took place in colonial days. You can learn more about this stage in American history at the witch trials museum.

The town is right on the water, which makes it a beautiful place to visit in the summer. That said, the fall foliage also makes it an ideal place to visit in autumn. You can also visit haunted attractions in the month of October.

Asheville, North Carolina

If you need to switch things up from the visiting the beach, you can take a trip to the city of Asheville, which is nestled in the mountains of North Carolina. This small town is famous for its arts community. Activities include outdoor music festivals, artisan shops, and locally-sourced farm-to-table restaurants.

While you’re in town, make sure to check out the Biltmore Mansion. This property is the largest privately owned residence in the United States and is open to tours.

Williamsburg, Virginia

If you enjoy the east coast’s rich history, then Williamsburg, Virginia is an ideal place to visit. In Williamsburg, many of the buildings maintain their colonial style of architecture. You can also tour colonial neighborhoods that are still paved with cobblestone and frequented by horse-drawn carriages.

During the day, re-enactors will educate you and your family about the way of life in colonial Williamsburg. In the evening, you can take a walking ghost tour to get more insight into the town’s haunted history.

Portland, Maine

When people think of national parks, they often think of the west side of the country. But while there may not be as many national parks on the east coast, the ones that are there are fantastic.

In Maine, you can appreciate the unique landscape at Acadia National Park. This park is marked by clear skies and blue waves crashing into the craggy, rocky shore.

If you’d like to try something more rustic, you could always go camping in Acadia National Park. Pack some sleeping bags, some Keto frozen meals, and you’ll be good to go!

Not far from Acadia, you’ll find the small coastal town of Portland, Maine. While not as well known as it’s Oregon counterpart, Portland, Maine is a great place to get seafood and explore shops.

Get Ready to Explore East Coast Cities

With a trip to any of these four east coast cities, you’ll be sure to have a fantastic yet affordable summer vacation.

Did we forget to mention your favorite city? Let us know where you love to travel to in the comments!

Planning to visit San Diego?

If you’re worried you’ll only find sunny beaches and the usual high rise of skyscrapers, think again. Home to over 1.4 million people and 34.9 million annual visitors, there’s a lot to see and do in the city.

It’s home to historical architecture dating back to the Spanish conquest. The weather down there is the most comfortable you’ll experience in the whole country too.

Don’t waste your time and money wandering around with no direction. To help you craft the perfect itinerary, here are 9 awesome things to do in downtown San Diego.

The Spanish Village

Visiting the Spanish Village is among the best things to do in downtown San Diego. You’ll find it in Balboa Park, right between the Natural History Museum and the Zoo. It’s home to the works of over 200 artists and 37 studios and galleries.

It started back in 1935. Back then it was an artist colony and haven for the California Pacific International Exposition. Since then the US military used it during World War II and afterward went back into the hands of native artists.

USS Midway Museum

This aircraft carrier has the honor of being the longest-serving ship of its kind in history, serving the US Navy for over 50 years. When it first launched in 1945, it was also the largest ship in the world.

The ship has gone through a long history of war until its decommissioning in 1992. It is now a permanent resident of downtown San Diego.

Visitors can go on self-guided tours through the living quarters, flight control towers, the flight control deck, and more. The ship is popular enough that it made its way into popular shows like The Bachelor and American Idol.

Little Italy

If you want a luxury vacation then you have to go to Italy. If you want a similar experience while exploring other things to do in downtown San Diego, you can do so in Little Italy.

Little Italy was once an Italian neighborhood and fishing village. This is the best place to eat because of the numerous Italian restaurants and it’s also home to several art galleries.

San Diego Zoo

YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim and his companion Yakov Lapitsky filmed the media site’s first video here. It’s also the zoo where the animals from the Madagascar films came from before they went on their wild adventures.

The zoo is popular for being one of the first establishments of its kind to feature cage-less and open-air exhibits. This emulates the natural habitat the animals came from.

If you’re looking for a Giant Panda, this is the zoo to go to. This zoo is one of the few places where they managed to breed and maintain healthy members of the species.

The Gaslamp Quarter

This is right in the center of downtown San Diego and is a historical site that goes on for 16 and a half blocks. If you’re looking for fun nightlife activities and metropolitan hot spots, this is where you need to go first.

It is home to 94 historic buildings. Many of these originated during the Victorian Era and are still open to this day. These historic sites now find new functions as restaurants, art galleries, and boutique shops.

People looking for San Diego homes for sale often do so because they want to live close to this particular corner. San Diego can be one fun place to relocate to and the Gaslamp Quarter is a great example why.

Balboa Park

You can’t say you tried all the things to do in downtown San Diego until you explored every nook and cranny of Balboa Park.

This massive place covers 1,200 acres of land and is home to 15 attractions and popular venues, 16 museums, and 17 gardens. Of the numerous museums, the highlights include the Museum of Photographic Arts, the San Diego Museum of Man, and the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Some of the places included here, such as the zoo and Spanish Village, are within the park’s perimeter.

California Candle Gallery

A rare and unique store, the California Candle Gallery can craft fresh and colorful candles right before your eyes.

The company uses a special, patented process that helps them cut through several layers of colored candle wax. This lets them cut and mold candles into any image.

If you’re looking for a great souvenir, then this is the shop to look for. You can find it in the heart of the next highlight, Seaport Village.

Seaport Village

Are you looking for live music and fine dining with a grand view of the Pacific Ocean?

With over 14 acres of top-of-the-line establishments, the Seaport Village is the place to go for fine dining and a weekend of shopping. You’ll also get to walk down the waterfront boardwalk and visit a hand-painted carousel dating from 1895.

This is also the recommended spot to visit for romantic dinners and relaxing evenings. If the Gaslamp Quarter is too noisy for your tastes, this can be the best alternative for a soothing vacation.

Whale Watching

Do you want to enjoy the different things to do in downtown San Diego but also aim to stay thrifty during your travels? One affordable but nevertheless enjoyable experience is to go whale watching.

This activity lets you and others ride out to the open ocean for three and a half hours. The trip alone is enough to let you relax and enjoy the coastline view.

During the excursion, you may catch a close-up view of sea lions, dolphins, and the majestic grey whales. They often appear during the winter season, which is when they migrate from Alaska down to Baja California.

Stay Thrifty Enjoying the Things to Do in Downtown San Diego

Looking for something a little more casual, perhaps? Do you want to find the best camping grounds or do you need tips to save money while exploring San Diego?

We can help you with all those details and more. Our goal is to help you enjoy life while staying thrifty.

Have further questions about the main tourist spots in San Diego? Looking for other thrifty tips and tricks? Feel free to contact us now and we’ll do our best to answer any and all your inquiries.

For most of us, vacations with our family are limited. It’s often difficult to find both the time and the money to organize a well deserved ‘break from it all.’ So, when we go away, we want to get it right.

However, with the average vacation costing $4,580, it’s understandable why you’d want to shop around to find a more affordable holiday.

With that in mind, a dude ranch vacation is ideal. It’s the perfect place to enjoy some uninterrupted family time – and isn’t as expensive as you might think.

Let’s dive into seven dude ranch vacations that are perfect if you want a fabulous vacation on a budget.

Dude Ranch Vacations – Where to Begin?

If you’ve done some research on dude ranch vacations, you’ll know that prices vary massively.

However, you have to understand lots of ranches offer all-inclusive holidays. Whereas, others expect you to pay extra for all the additional activities.

So, don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting a great deal. Always check precisely what the total price includes.

You should also consider your ranches location. Some are pretty remote. This means you’ll have to spend more money both getting there and traveling around during your stay.

Finally, it’s imperative to find a ranch that offers either a discount or a package for families. This is usually a good indicator that the venue is set up for the kind of vacation you want, without breaking the bank.

With that in mind, here are a few of our specific recommendations.

1. Sundance Trail Ranch, Colorado

This dude ranch is both family-friendly and pet-friendly. Ideally situated, it’s only a two-hour drive from Denver.

During your stay, guests can try their hand at; horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting.

Plus, it’s situated close to the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains. So, it’s perfect for nature lovers.

This accommodations ideal if you’re traveling with extended family or friends. It can sleep as many as 24 guests and has wheelchair access.

Most importantly, visitors won’t go hungry. Traditionally Western homemade meals are prepared and served to guests. These dishes always go down a treat!

2. Marble Mountain Ranch, California

The Klamath National Forest surrounds this gorgeous ranch, so there’s plenty of opportunities for guests to explore.

Beautifully situated, the breathtaking Trinity Alps and Russian Wilderness Areas are close by and are definitely worth a visit!

The nice thing about this ranch is that they offer the ‘saddle-paddle’ vacation package. This allows visitors to give both horseback riding a go, alongside; whitewater rafting, fishing, and shooting.

So, rest assured there won’t be any chance of getting bored!

3. New Haven Working Cattle and Guest Ranch, Wyoming

This is a genuine cattle ranch, ran by family – perfect if you’re hoping to have an authentic Western experience.

Located on the outskirts of the Black Hills of Wyoming and near the Devils Tower National Monument, there’s plenty of scenery to take in.

This accommodation can sleep a maximum of 8 travelers.

Vistors have the opportunity to participate in various activities including; moving cattle from pasture to pasture, round-ups, checking reservoirs, etc.

Plus, guest bedrooms are beautifully rustic and have their own bathroom.

4. Southern Cross Guest Ranch, Georgia

This family-owned ranch is also a horse farm – home to more than 200 horses!

This ranch is just one hours drive from Atlanta, and unlike other ranches, experienced riders are permitted to ride their horses unguided. You don’t have to be Noel Fehily to enjoy your ride here.

Plus, the foods said to be amazing – what’s not to love about that?

5. Rowse’s 1+1 Ranch, Nebraska

This is another working ranch, so it’s perfect if you want a taste of genuine Western culture.

Guests have the opportunity to participate in plenty of ranch activities including riding and cattle work.

By cattle work we mean; cattle drives, roundups, brandings, and roping.

6. Sugar and Spice Ranch, Texas

Unlike the other ranches, this one provides specific vacations for mothers and daughters.

Moms pay from $100 per night ($50 non-rider) and daughters $50. This is the perfect place for some mother-daughter bonding if you’re both horse-lovers or just up for trying something new.

You’ll be given your ‘own’ own horse and get to; feed, groom, tack up, clean the tack, and bath him/her- it really is the full horsey package!

The above rates include meals, riding, activities, lodging, tax and evening entertainment.

7. Sweet Grass Ranch, Montana

Finally, we come to the last of our dude ranch vacations.

This is another family-owned working cattle ranch, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.

This accommodation’s situated in the beautiful Crazy Mountains, so it’s perfect if you want to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life and admire natures bounty.

There’s plenty of opportunities for guests to try their hand at riding. With thousands of acres of mountain country, meadows, and plains to explore, you’ll be spoiled for a choice of scenery.

The riding experience is ‘unstructured’ and tailored to what you’re interested in doing. This helps you get the most out of your ranch vacation.

The hosts offer various packages, starting from $225 a night. The all-inclusive riding package allows you to go on all-day rides either moving cattle or to explore the serene alpine lakes.

However, non-riding packages begin at $180 per night. If riding isn’t your thing, don’t worry there’s still plenty to do. Hiking, fishing, row-boating, and golf are all favorite pastimes.

Kids can stay for as little as $160 (including horseback riding and other horse activities). Your little ones are bound to enjoy the ranch’s natural water slide, and the quality time spent around the evening campfire.

Are You Interested in Other Ways to Save Money?

If you’ve enjoyed this piece on affordable dude ranch vacations, we’re sure you’ll love our other content.

We understand family life gets expensive. So our blogs committed to providing information on living a high-quality lifestyle for less.

We cover everything from thrifty DIY hacks to cooking on a budget we’re sure we’ll have a post on something you’re hoping to save money on.

If you have any questions or would like to reach out to us, please feel free to fill out our contact form. One of our friendly team members will get in touch as soon as they can.

Camping is a great budget-friendly activity for people of all ages. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s easy for a supposedly inexpensive trip to turn into a major expense.

That’s why we’re breaking down what you need to know to keep your next camping trip affordable. Keep reading to learn 8 great ways to save money camping this year!

1. Research Camp Sites

One of the most expensive parts of any camping trip is renting a site for the night. But a little research can make it one of the easiest ways to save money camping.

While fancy private campgrounds can run as much as a hundred dollars or more a night, there are also plenty of cheap sites available, if you know where to look. In fact, in some areas, you may even be lucky enough to find a free campsite.

To save money on your campsite, start by considering what type of site you need.

For instance, many campgrounds charge extra for sites that offer electricity and water and sewage hookups. If you’re staying in a tent, you won’t need the hookups, unless you need to bring an electric fan or heater.

Choosing a primitive site without these amenities will likely land you a cheaper rate.

You can also save money camping by looking for campgrounds in national or state parks. They may not be as fancy as some private campgrounds. But staying in a park is a great way to get even closer to nature, and to save a few bucks on your nightly stay!

2. Simplify Your Meals

Another great way to save money camping is by simplifying your meals.

While it can be tempting to try out the latest recipe you find online, consider all of the things you’ll need to whip up that complicated recipe while camping.

Besides just ingredients, you’ll also need stoves, pans, utensils, cooking spray, and more.

If you don’t have a lot of experience with camp cooking, it can be easy to get overwhelmed.

Choosing simple meals, like hot dogs roasted over a fire or foil dinners, will not only save you money and stress but is also a fun camping activity.

Don’t just limit yourself to camping recipes. Simple recipes that you would make at home, like these chicken sliders, work great for camp cooking too!

3. Shop Around for Gear

Camping gear can be expensive.

From tents and stoves to sleeping bags, lanterns, and more, the costs add up quickly.

To save money camping, it’s essential to shop around before you buy.

If you’re starting from scratch, with no gear, start by finding the right basics. While name brand gear may offer additional features, there are plenty of areas that you can save money on.

For instance, a cheap flashlight and matches will work just as well as an expensive lantern and a fancy lighter.

You could also save money camping by looking into renting gear or borrowing it from friends rather than buying. If you’re camping for the first time, this is a great way to try it out before you start investing in your own gear.

When it comes to buying gear, an important tip to help you save money is to research each item before you buy.

Reading online reviews and doing your research to learn more before you buy will help ensure that you’re choosing gear that won’t give you trouble or wear out right away.

4. Invite Your Friends

Going camping on your own can be a liberating experience. But it can also be expensive.

Going it alone means buying all of your own gear and paying for a campsite, food, and gas on your own.

Inviting along some friends and splitting the costs is a great way to save money on your next trip.

5. Try a Few Camping Hacks

A quick internet search will reveal countless counting hacks.

Some of these help keep you safe, such as hacks for identifying poisonous plants or avoiding attracting bear and other wildlife. Other hacks help keep you comfortable and happy, like using foam tiles on the floor of your tent.

But other hacks are great for saving money camping.

For instance, a light stick dropped in a gallon of water can be a great alternative to a lantern. A straw cut into sections, filled with toothpaste, and sealed off is much cheaper than buying travel-sized toothpaste tubes.

6. Repurpose Throw-Away Items

To avoid paying for expensive camping gear, look for ways repurpose items that you would normally throw away instead.

A plastic coffee container makes a great waterproof can for storing toilet paper while camping. Empty tick-tack containers are an easy way to bring along spices without paying for small bottles.

You can even use dryer lint to start fires, rather than store-bought starters!

7. Skip the Tech

Outdoors stores offer all kinds of tech that they promise will improve your next camping trip.

But you don’t need GPS watches, action cameras, or other devices to enjoy your trip. In fact, skipping out on this gear is a great way to avoid distractions while camping, leaving you to enjoy nature, your friends, and an escape from the hustle and bustle.

8. Go Natural

If critters and crawlers aren’t your favorite things, you likely drop a lot of money keeping them away each time you go camping.

But there are plenty of natural alternatives that are both effective and inexpensive.

A small bit of sage added to your campfire is a great way to keep mosquitoes away. A bar of Irish Spring soap in your tent will keep mice and other small rodents away.

Save Money Camping With These Simple Tips

Camping trips don’t have to break the bank.

Use these simple tips to help you save money on your next camping trip.

Are you still struggling to pay for all of the trips you’re dreaming of? Check out this guide to learn about some part-time jobs that can allow you to earn extra income in your free-time!