5 Ways to Plan a Frugal Family Getaway

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details

If you’re looking for ways to plan a budget-friendly family vacation, you may be wondering what you can do to save money. Fortunately, there are a number of easy ways to make your trip more affordable. Here are five ways to plan a frugal family getaway. 

1. Book your trip at the right time. When you plan your vacation during the off-season, it can save you a lot of money in the long run. Rather than going to Walt Disney World during the summer months, why not book during the schoolyear? If you can’t manage to take your kids out of school, you might consider going over a holiday weekend. You’ll spend less time there, but the savings may be worth it. 
 
2. Use credit card rewards to your advantage. Cashback rewards can work in a cycle. You can use your cashback money to put towards your vacation, but you can also earn more cashback rewards by using your cards while you’re on vacation! If your cards offer frequent flyer miles, you can also use them to your advantage. To come up with a plan to get free plane tickets using credit card rewards programs, you may want to check out RewardExpert. 
 
3. Consider taking a staycation. Who says you need to go far in order to have fun? You can create lifetime memories just by going to a local amusement park or the nearest beach. You may even consider going camping at the nearest state or national park. The possibilities for a frugal family staycation are endless! 

4. Rent or share a vacation home. Renting a house can be cheaper and also gives you more space than a hotel room would. If you have friends or family who are traveling to the same location at the same time, why not see if they want to share a house? I’ve had good success finding vacation homes to rent on HomeAway and FlipKey.
 
5. Consider renting a car for your road trip. Although it seems cheaper to take your own car on a road trip, there are a few scenarios in which renting a car can be a wiser option. If your car already has a lot of miles on it, road tripping too frequently will just decrease its value. If you lease a car, you may also go over your mileage and end up owing more at the end of the year. To find the cheapest car rental, check out AutoSlash, which helps find you discounts and even re-books you when it finds better deals. 

These are just five of the things you can do to plan a frugal family getaway. Whether you’re going to Walt Disney World or your local amusement park, it’s possible to make a trip fit into your family’s budget! 
 
Erin Gifford is a mother of four who looks up and down for ways to save money on travel for her big family. She has a family travel blog, Kidventurous, which was recently selected as a top family travel resource by Parents magazine. 

10 Frugal Travel Tips

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Image from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We love traveling, however we must always do it on a tight budget. This summer we were able to take two amazing vacations one to South Georgia (Albany, Macon, Cordele, Fargo) and another to Myrtle Beach. In order to make these trips possible we needed to cut costs wherever possible. So here are my 10 BEST frugal travel tips.

10 Frugal Travel Tips:

1. Sign up for gas reward cards - My favorites are BP Driver Rewards, Shell Fuel Rewards Network and Kroger Fuel Rewards. These cards are all FREE to sign up for and can save you 3 cents - 10 cents per gallon. Right now BP Driver Rewards members who register and opt in from 12:00:00 am EST 6/29/14 - 11:59:59 pm EST 11/4/14 and use their BP Driver Rewards card to fill up at least 5 times, totaling 50 gallons, in 50 days at participating BP stations are eligible for one (1) $10 Amazon.com Gift Card (I just got mine, so I can tell you it definitely works)
2. Purchase attraction or show tickets on discount/deal websites - My favorites are Groupon, Living Social, Gold Star, Amazon Local, Score Big, Sweet Jack, Half Off Depot and Loaf Deals. You can save up to 60% off at these great deal/discount websites.  
3. Pack your own food - eating out can really add up. Purchase snacks and quick meals in advance. 
4. Skip a meal or have children share a meal - We can generally get away with skipping lunch by eating a large breakfast and dinner. In place of lunch we eat a healthy snack like an apple, trail mix, etc. And rather than purchasing multiple kids meals have them share 1 adult meal. 
5. Purchase dining coupons - If you must eat out, check places like Resturant.com, and the discount/deal sites listed above for discount vouchers. Also check your local newspaper for coupons and sign up for loyalty programs through the restaurants.
6. Book your hotel in advance using a discount hotel site - Some of my favorites are Hotels.com and ChoiceHotels.com. These websites not only offer great pricing but you can also earn FREE nights by booking through them. 
7. Drive with the car windows down - I know what you are thinking, "I haven't driven with my windows down since I was a teenager and that was just so I could look cool!" Seriously do you know how much money you can save by driving with the windows down. 
8. Look for FREE activities - If you look hard enough you can find lots of FREE fun, family friendly activities in just about every city. Here are some to get you started Over 200 + Free Things To See and Do In Georgia, 30+ FREE Nationwide Fieldtrip Ideas, Free and Frugal Things To See and Do In Beaufort, SC.
9. Take your car into the shop for automobile maintenance - Before leaving on your trip be sure to take your car into a reputable shop to get an oil change, fluid level check and tire pressure check. These simple and inexpensive car maintenance items can save you money during your trip. 
10. Set budgets for souvenirs before you arrive at your destination - Tell your children how much they have to spend during the trip or better yet give them their own spending money. 

Deals and Steals - Lots Of Great Discount Codes To $ave You Money

Passing along some great deals I have found. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for a some great FREE stuff.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We had a blast last year celebrating Christmas and learning about the "REAL" reason for the season with the Truth in The Tinsel advent. I highly suggest you check it out especially since I have a great coupon code to share with you. Use the code CLUTTERED at checkout for 20% off! Read some of our post from last year to see how much fun we had. Get prepared NOW there are only 37 days until its time to start your advent.

Use discount code KBALMAN2 to get Spanish Empire library for free ($19.99) with the purchase of any curriculum (5 choices: Young Readers, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, British Middle Ages, and British Empire; each $24.99). Offer valid through October 31st.

Get your tickets to Teach Them Diligently now through November 6th and receive a 6 month subscription to World Magazine.

 

Unit Studies offers AWESOME specials each week. Right now you can get the Thanksgiving unit study for $6 and the Elections unit study for $6. The American Government library (5 unit studies) is only $25.

There are several great sales on lapbooks at A Journey Through Learning. Right now get the new Elections lapbook for only $5. And also right now you can get the Earth instant download lapbook for a discounted price of $8 (ends 11/9). Use code earth8 at checkout.

Now through 10/30 get 6 months FREE at Reading Eggs.

Receive 6 months FREE when you purchase a 6 month subscription to Reading Eggs. Purchase a 6 month subscription for $49.95 – that’s 12 months access for only 97c per week! 

To claim this offer TODAY, simply:

1. Login to www.readingeggs.com/login
2. Enter FAM45DAY in the ‘Have a Promo Code?’ field on the right hand side.
3. Click ‘Purchase Reading Eggs’ tab and select ‘6 Months Subscription’ – then follow the prompts.

Remember there are BIG savings and FreeBees on thousands of fantastic curriculum choices at Currclick.

We Choose Virtues is having several sales right now here are all the PROMO CODES (remember, only one code per order)

-All King James Version options are being offered at SPECIAL introductory prices!

-All cards are 20% off with CARDS20, and as always

-15% off your cart with VIRTUE15

Bright Ideas Press is having some great specials now on curriculum. Here are all the great deals you can snag right now. 

-October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Pastors and Missionaries enjoy 15% off your entire order the entire month of October. Use the code GOODANDFAITHFUL at checkout.
-The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28,1886. Enjoy 15% off anything All American History when you use the code LIBERTY. Valid 10/28/12 - 10/29/12.

Get Family Time Fitness for your homeschool PE curriculum here is a code that will get you 20% off the already reduced prices KCM20 (exp 10/31/2012). Read more about Family Time Fitness this blog post I wrote earlier this year. Also be sure to read these great articles:  

-Is there a difference between PE and playtime?
-Five ways Physical Education improves a child's school day
-Is your family physically literate?
-Why physical education is best at home

Use coupon code KUBSAVE at check out to save a min. of 20% on A+ Math.

*Disclaimer - Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.

Linking up with:
Top Ten Tuesday

Deals and Steals - Art Field Trips, Magazines, Dvds and More

Passing along some great deals I have found. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for a some great FREE stuff.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Unit Studies offers AWESOME specials each week. Right now you can get the classic geography collections for $25 this bundle features 7 unit studies (Australia, Israel, China, Africa, Canada, Mexico, Ireland). You can also buy them individually for $5 each (reg. $7.95).

Now through August 24th, SAVE up to 75% off thousands of fantastic curriculum choices at Currclick.

In the Hands of a Child is having their annual Back to School Sale on their HUGE selection of Lapbooking and Notebooking Products. Save 50% on over 400 different titles! See complete details here: http://www.handsofachild.com/freebies-and-specials/#specials

We Choose Virtues is having a great SALE just in time for Back To Homeschool - Homeschool Kits and Family Kits 25% with code BTS25.

Have Fun Teaching is currently offering 25% off everything. We love their DVDs. Check out our past review here. This code expires 8/31/12.

Disney Publishing Worldwide One-Year Subscription to Choice of Disney Magazines $15.

CheapDVDPacks - 2 Family Friendly, Educational DVDs $10 (50% off).

Georgia Field Trip Deals:

My Clayground offer at Plum District - $80 for a Canvas Painting Birthday Party for 8 kids ($130 value). Read our review on My Clayground here.

$12 for an Artventures Art Class at Adventure Kids ($30.00 value)

And of course I have to share some FREE stuff with you too...

FREE E-book from Heritage History, The Story of England. Make sure you sign up for their email list to get a FREE E-book each month.

Great Grammar website. There are daily Grammar lesson plans and more for FREE.

*Disclaimer - Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.

HUGE Back to Homeschool SALE At CurrClick

CurrClick one of my all time favorite resources is having a HUGE $ale. I just couldn't let you miss these deals so I am including links to some awesome resources and some of my favorite publishers. The Back to Homeschool Sale ends August 24th. There are also lots of great FreeBEEs so make sure you take time to look around the website.

-CompleteLee Learning - 70% off all items - Lots of great music resources some as slow as .30 cents.
-Wholesome Learning  - 75% off all items - Lots of great Christian resources including Hebrew resources some as low as .12 cents.
-Scripture Adventures - 70% off all items - Lots of great biblical resources as low as .60 cents.



-Homeschool Bits - 50% off all items - Lots of great unit studies and lapbooks as low as .50 cents. We use these a lot.
-Roots and Wings - 70% off all items - Holiday items, notebooking, sigh words and more as low as .90 cents.
-Brodie Education Consulting - 70% off all items - Lots of resources ranging from games, states series, lit picks and more as low as .60 cents.

-Knowledge Box Central - 50% off all items INCLUDING Apologia Lapbooks - Amazing unit studies and lapbooks as low as $2.50.
-Super Star Speech - 40% off all items - Great speech resources as low as $2.10
-Teachers Book Bag - 75% off all items - Lapbooks, unit studies, file folder games and more as low as .30 cents.

-Simple Schooling - 70% off all items - Unit studies for every subject as low as .30 cents. These unit studies are always fabulous.
-Discovering Homeschool - 50% off most items - Spelling, Grammar, Math and Social Study resources as low as .50 cents.
-Super Mommy to the Rescue - 40% off all items - Language skill helpers, preschool, unit study and holiday resources as low as .60 cents.
-Katies Homeschool Cottage - 70% off all items - Charlotte Mason resources including unit studies and audios as low as .30 cents.

-Engaging Lessons - 70% off all items - Math, science, literacy and character ed resources as low as .15 cents.
-Powerline Productions - 50% off all items - Great resources unit studies, bible studies and more as low as $10.00.


*Disclaimer -  Please note that prices indicated in the post are subject to change. Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.

Deals and Steals - Lots of Back to Homeschool Curriculum Deals

Passing along some great deals I have found. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for a some great FREE stuff.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Unit Studies offers AWESOME specials each week. Right now you can get sport unit studies Olympics, Soccer, Horses, Football, Baseball, Athletes from the Bibl  for $4, $5, $6. Plus right now  if you buy 5 unit studies you can save an additional $5.

Now through August 24th, SAVE up to 75% off thousands of fantastic curriculum choices at Currclick.

Bright Ideas Press is celebrating their 20th Birthday and to celebrate they are offering lots of specials. View all the coupons codes on this pdf many products are 20% off.

There are a few more days left to snag a membership to Notebooking Pages for only $64.95 the sale ends August 10th.

We Choose Virtues is having a great SALE just in time for Back To Homeschool - Homeschool Kits and Family Kits 25% with code BTS25.

Have Fun Teaching is currently offering 25% off everything. We love their DVDs. Check out our past review here. This code expires 8/31/12.

Try Scchoolhouse Teachers for ONLY $1 right now. $5.95 per month after and you can cancel at anytime. So give it a try. I suggest saving and printing the planners to start.

Knowledge Box Central Lapbooks check out these awesome $5 lapbooks. Sign up for the newsletter and receive a $5 coupon to receive a FREE lapbook. There are lapbooks for virtually everything like American Girl, Apologia, Seasons, States and more.

A+ Tutorsoft - Download FREE Fractions Software! And right if you decide to purchase the software after trying you can save 20% off with code KUBSAVE.

Mona MELisa Designs Peel & Play Wall Set (51% Off) $39.00.  

Georgia Field Trip Deals:

50% Off Splatters Pottery, Painting & More $15.00.

   

Sonora Creek – Lathemtown One, Three, or Five 60-Minute Horseback-Riding Lessons (Up to 61% Off) $35.00.

And of course I have to share some FREE stuff with you too...

Simon and Schuster reading materials for parents and educators. Printables, certificates, reading lists and more.

41 Open Ed resources all FREE.

*Disclaimer - Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.