Traveling Cheaper with Children

Almost everyone I know that has kids barely travels. They say they can't afford it and only go on short trips close to home. Little do they know (until I tell them) that they can spend just a bit more - and in some cases less - and go on a "real" great vacation. I know kids are expensive and so is travel, but if you know where to cut your costs and alter your vacation strategies, then it can be very affordable and fun! 

I have tips for kids of any age, so your vacation can recharge you instead of making you worry the whole time that you are spending more than you have. It might even bring your family closer together, because it's so much easier to bond when you are doing things you all like. Check out some of these ways to save on all your family trips!

Travel in the off-season or during winter break

If you have smaller children, you have the luxury of traveling all year long. With this in mind, avoid traveling in the summer. Summer is easily the busiest and most expensive time to plan a vacation. If a beach or other warm-weather location is your destination of choice, plan a trip in the spring. Springtime is always less crowded and one of the best times to find sales on both airfare and hotel rates. If your children are in school, wait until Christmas break to make your journey. If you fly on Christmas Day, you can get rock-bottom airfare, since most travelers want to be at their destination by that day and it’s one of the lightest travel days of the year.

Trade in the ocean for the lake

If you are longing for a beach getaway, you can do many of the same activities at a lakeside destination as you can oceanfront, but with the upside of vast savings off your vacation total. You can still build sandcastles, go boating, snorkeling, diving, fishing, parasailing and more, but at a lower cost.

Buy souvenirs ahead of time

If an amusement park is your final destination, chances are your kids are going to want shirts and toys and anything else they see for sale. These items can add up quickly and bust your budget. Many theme parks, like Disney, have a lot of surrounding stores with discounted items. Local grocery stores, Target and special souvenir shops can be a lifesaver. Purchase many items for the price of one and then either dole them out before you head out to the parks or secretly pack them in your day bag to give to children throughout the day when they start to get cranky or having a case of the “I wants”.

Rent baby equipment at your destination

This doesn’t sound money-saving at all, but it can be. Dragging around a stroller and other cumbersome products can be hard, cost you checked baggage fees and may even damage your own items in the process. Sites like BabiesTravelLite have lists for worldwide locations that rent baby equipment from strollers to baby baths. These places often rent equipment for an entire week for less than you would pay to rent them for a day at amusement parks and other places. You can pick them up on your way to your hotel or vacation rental and then drop them off on your way to the airport. You don’t have to juggle extra things at the airport and you won’t have to worry about damage to any of your own gear.

Rent an apartment, condo or house

When you travel with your whole family, even if it’s just four of you, a hotel room can feel claustrophobic. Hotels rarely offer more than just one room and an attached bathroom, so if you’re planning to be in your room for more than just sleeping and changing clothes, nobody has any personal space. Check sites like HomeAway, Airbnb and FlipKey to reserve a vacation rental for your stay. Not only will you have more room to spread out, but you’ll also save money over a bigger hotel room and have a kitchen, where you can make some of your own meals reduce your dining budget.

Avoid ordering off the kids’ menu

When you go out to eat, almost all restaurants have the dreaded kids’ menu that usually has the same five food items to choose from. Sometimes your kids are just not going to be happy with anything but chicken nuggets, but for the rest of the time you’re out, you can be more frugal and get your children to try new foods (and eat some vegetables!) by splitting an entree with them or between children. They will have options that are more nutritious than pizza and hot dogs and if they don’t finish what’s on their plate, you haven’t wasted money on a separate dish.

Purchase a City Pass

Many cities worldwide offer what is called a city pass. You pay one price for a pass that includes many different activities and attractions and it enables you to bypass the ticket lines and go straight to the front gate. Not only does this cut your entertainment costs, it is also very convenient and enables you to do more things on the same budget. I've used CityPASS, Smart Destinations, VisiTicket, London Pass and Paris Pass.

Use your zoo membership

Almost every family I know has invested in a zoo membership, because for one price, they can go to the zoo and aquarium all year long. This helps when money is tight and they have to get out of the house, and I don’t know any kid that doesn’t love fish and other animals. If you have a membership, you can use it to visit other zoos and aquariums across the country and, in some cases, in other parts of the world. It can be fun for kids to feel like the day is totally about them and they can learn about new animals in different parts of the world that your zoo might not have.

Pack light 

I know that with kids it’s hard to do this, but it’s not impossible. Each of your children can bring their own carry-on for the plane and help spread around the weight. Whether it’s a small rolling bag that can fit under the seat or a backpack they can wear, they can share the load. While their clothes can be fairly lightweight, everything they want to take from home may not be. Pack as much of their clothes as you can in your own carry-on (Spacebags or Pack-It cubes may help) and then have them carry any spillover and a few things from home in their own bag. This may be a few (or a combination of) small toys, a coloring book and some snacks. Anything that will make traveling less of a chore. If there is more than one adult in your party, this may be done more easily, and you will have everything with you when you land, saving you checked baggage fees and time waiting for your bags on the carousel.

Traveling with kids can give you a whole different view of your vacation destination and cause you to be more creative in planning and traveling around each day. Children can be great world travelers, if given a chance, and it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about new cultures, food and countries. 

It might take a little extra effort and planning to travel with children, but it can be very rewarding in the end. It’s possible to save on many parts of your trip, making it just as affordable as before having kids when you didn’t worry (as much) about your budget. Your destinations are as open as ever and kids can only add to the fun of a new place with their excitement over things you may have long forgotten were exciting.

How do you save when traveling with kids or what is your biggest challenge when planning a trip with kids?

Going Behind the Movies in Southern California

I'm a movie buff. I love watching all kinds of movies, even bad ones. I mean, if they're bad in the way that they are still good or at least amusing, like Snowpiercer or those new Transformer movies (please don't hit me). That said, I love to know how movie magic is made and see props. And if, like me, you watch TV and movies and are totally into the clothes, then we have another thing in common. 

While in California before Christmas, we had a fun time learning about the behind-the-scenes of our favorite moves and television shows. You may have read about our visit to the Warner Bros Studio where we stopped by the archive for Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts fun and enjoyed the rest of the tour and seeing where awesome stuff is/was filmed.

No visit to Universal Studios is complete without a trip to Hogsmeade from Harry Potter. The village is a bit more compact than the one in Orlando, with smaller shops. I also found that the food at the Three Broomsticks, which I was really excited about, was disappointing. We took breakfast there and my plate was pretty flavorless, except for the overwhelming taste of used cooking oil over everything, save for my croissant. That said, I savored my hot Butterbeer.

Before we had our pictures taken in the Hogwarts Express prop compartment, I stopped by to hang with the conductor, who was nice enough to take 3 or 4 pics with me. I didn't wait in line when I was in Orlando, but wish I had. Now I have my picture and the experience, without having to wait, because this was our first stop when the park opened. I'd also totally recommend the train compartment photo op (which is to the left in that brick building). The photos aren't cheap, but if it's the only thing you buy, it's worth it. You choose props and get three photos taken and you can purchase one, two, or all three. The more you buy, the bigger your discount. That said, the two I bought cost me $30 total with tax, but they are stamped with the date and have the WWoHP logo on it.

My usual first stop in Universal is the tram tour, since the lines can get pretty long. Hollywood still has Jaws and the little town of Amity where some of the movie was filmed. Oddly enough, this was also the New England town where Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) lived in Murder, She Wrote. 

The tram takes you through the backlot, where you see how they create rain and flash floods, as well and how they create whole towns in a small area. One of these is the above set that they call Little Italy, and has been used for many, many movies and is currently being used for the new show The Good Place, which if you haven't seen it, you should totally watch it. It stars Kristen Bell and Ted Danson and is hilarious. 

Universal Studios loves to immerse you in movies, so you walk from one "set" to another in the park, like this 1930's New York street. Around the corner you'll find the streets of Europe and even Springfield from The Simpsons. Now, you can also walk right into the world of The Walking Dead with a new walk-through attraction featuring scenes from the show and scare actors. I'll tell you what. The music starting as soon as you walk in under the downed helicopter genuinely freaked me out a bit, and a more once I realized that I wasn't even in the attraction yet, just the line. Unfortunately, they don't let you take pictures inside (not that I would have had any non-blurry ones probably), but it's kind of realistic and it made me glad we aren't in a zombie apocalypse. I made it through the whole thing without dying though, so go me. 

Budget and Bonus tips: Buy your Universal tickets online to get the best price. Look for two days for the price of one to get more for your money. This also means you can skip the Front Of The Line Pass, which will save you even more. If you get to the park and someone asks you if you'd like to do a survey once you've made it through the gate, do it. We were able to get a line skip pass for the tram and basically could choose any seats we wanted without waiting at all. If you want to take pictures of the cars on display, aim to sit on the left side. We made a point to go on the tour twice and sat on opposite sides, so we could see some things better on each ride.

While you're in Burbank for the Warner Bros. tour, take time to head into town and check out a place called It's A Wrap! If you love to see costumes and clothing from the big screen, this is where you go to see if you can get your hands on some at deep discounts, because the studios don't keep everything that they've used, mostly because characters don't generally rewear outfits and they don't have unlimited space for pieces that aren't phenomenal. 

I was excited to see some pieces from the show Girl Meets World, but disappointed that I couldn't fit into any of it. Obviously, I'm much larger than a 12 year old girl. LOL! Bummer. I especially enjoyed this skirt.

Each tag gives you the code of the show it's from (and sometimes it's just a general studio) and most everything in the store has been marked down several times. This skirt was a DOLLAR! I'm still sad I couldn't fit into it. 

It's A Wrap! is a large store with two floors that has everything from undergarments to shoes to jewelry to some props. We left with 5 pieces and spend under $50. 

Around the store, you'll find sheets that tell you what every label in the store means. As that tag I showed says GMW, that's the code for Girl Meets World. I also purchased a top from General Hospital (there are a ton of pieces from soaps). You'll find generic pieces right alongside designer pieces. I snagged a pair of James Jeans that may have only been worn a couple times for $8. I have similar jeans in that brand that cost me $100, so score!

While you're in the area, and you're hungry, head up Magnolia about a mile and hit up the Donut Hut. It doesn't look like much, but it's perfect if you're on a budget or in a hurry. They specialize in doughnuts (as the name suggests), but they also have sandwiches, hot dogs and burgers.

Eric and I ordered the ham and cheese croissant sandwiches, though we weren't entirely positive that's what we were ordering at the time, as the sign for it was right next a picture of a hoagie sandwich. They only take cash, but two of these hearty sandwiches, which were amazing, and a doughnut cost us less than $10. 

The doughnuts weren't anything to write home about, but if you like a doughnut and you're there, grab a couple, because they're still good. I just wouldn't go out of my way to get them here. And if you're looking for some vintage looking clothing, you'll find Unique Vintage a block away. This store specializes in 50s skirts and 20s flapper dresses. While they aren't actually vintage, they look it and are quite well made. The prices aren't cheap, but you pay for the quality, so I'd definitely recommend a stop in if you're looking for something in that realm.

What are your favorite movies that you'd love to see props and clothing from?

Romantic Valentine Getaways

If you've been saving up for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your significant other, maybe you can take advantage of a last-minute getaway that will shock your love by how much thought you put into things. Even if you have to take your trip later, that envelope with plane tickets are sure to thrill.

If you want to truly wow, here are some great ideas that will do that and give you the best romantic getaway on a budget.

Head to Paris

Yes, the City of Lights is also known as the most romantic city in the world. Being there, I can see why, but remember, anywhere you go with your SO can be romantic. Don't put pressure on the destination. Paris can be pretty affordable, especially if you book a cheap flight through budget airline Wow Air for late winter or Spring. Deals start as low as $149.99, depending on departure city. Once you're there, here's how to spend your time there without going broke. Don't forget a place to stay! While you could book a hotel, save a bundle by using Airbnb and get more room, free WiFi, a kitchen and possibly a washer/dryer, so you can pack light.

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Take a Cruise

A cruise can take you to some lovely destinations (usually more than one) and with all your food and entertainment included onboard, it can be an easy trip to plan. Anytime you can find a week-long cruise for under $500 a person, that's a pretty great deal. Sherman's Cruise has 6 great ones to choose from, including a 10-night South American cruise for only $499, if you can get away in early February. You can also cruise the Mediterranean, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Washington, DC

There are so many free things to do in our Nation's Capitol. Not only that, but you can use the money you save to take a romantic dinner cruise along the river. Take your loved one to Copycat Co, a craft cocktail joint that has delicious drinks and cheap eats with a Northern Chinese taste. All bites are under $5. Want to know more things about how to save, here's a link to my blog post.

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Milwaukee

You may not think that Wisconsin has much going for it besides cheese, but it totally does. Plus, who doesn't like cheese. Even the lactose intolerant can't claim that. With Lake Michigan right there, there are plenty of lakefront dining options, which are always romantic, as well as walks along the river. If you like beer, take a brewery tour at Lakefront or Sprecher. With the city based on hard-working people who appreciate value, you will find plenty of affordable options for dining, entertainment and lodging. 

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Pittsburgh

With no more dominating steel mills to mar the city’s skyline, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a beautifully transformed town with bridges as far as the eye can see, traversing the three rivers that surround downtown. Sports lovers can enjoy a game of professional football (Steelers), baseball (Pirates) or hockey (Penguins), while art lovers have many museums to discover, including the Andy Warhol Museum. Rent a kayak for less than $20 to explore the Monongahela, Allegheny, or Ohio. The Strip District on a Saturday has a multitude of food options under $10.

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Providence, RI

New England is beautiful. There's no doubt about that, but while everyone else is headed to Boston, you could be hanging out seaside, taking in the picturesque landscape and eating lobster rolls. Providence is quite a great cultural destination with museum and galleries, with affordable boutique hotels. Head to Federal Hill to feel like you've gone to Italy. Did I mention food? Because there's tons of good food here, as well as shopping, to keep you full and laden with souvenirs from your trip. With it being such an amazing college town, you'll be able to take advantage of college prices, too!

Reno

I love Vegas, but you can't beat mountains, water and gambling. Unlike Vegas, Reno is lovely and you can bet against the house while you're still able to go hiking, skiing, and tons of other fun stuff. In Reno, head up the mountain to Virginia City, and old west town with actual saloons and wooden sidewalks. Because it's not nearly as tourist-heavy as Vegas, you can stay somewhere nice for around $100 per night. Rent a car and head 40 miles to Lake Tahoe for even more to do. Put on your walking shoes and head down to the castle, take a cruise around the lake or, in the snow, take a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride. Reno is home to the prime rib all-you-can-eat buffet for under $9. If you are a lover of food, then that's a pretty romantic deal for you.

There you have it. Vacations that fit into everyone's budget and for every type of couple, no matter what you like to do together. If you want more, check out romantic getaways in every state and the most romantic destination in each state. And if you can't afford a full-on vacation, maybe opt for a staycation instead. You can totally make it amazing.

Do you have getaway plans for Valentine's Day or after?