11 Hot Travel Retailers on Groupon Coupon

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

I am sure you are all well aware of Groupon, but did you know that Groupon also offers coupons? This was NEW news to me and I just spent about 20 minutes browsing the list of retailers and deals! Groupon has over 9,000 retailers and over 70,000 deals! That is money just waiting to be saved in your pocket.

I decided I needed to highlight some of these amazing deals for you. With back to school right around the corner I know many of you are looking for some last minute travel deals and ideas. So I rounded up all the great Groupon travel related deals for you.

1. Hotwire - right now there are 38 amazing coupon offers for Hotwire. Including flights, hotels and car rentals.
2. Orbitz - right now there are 32 deals on Orbitz including flights for just $97.
3. Travelocity - Travelocity has 41 deals currently, how does 40% off a hotel sound?
4. Biltmore - if the Biltmore is in your Summer plans check out the great $10 off coupon deal.
5. Ticketmaster - perhaps some concerts are in your near future? How does a 2 for 1 deal sound to you?
6. Expedia - Expedia has a whopping 51 coupons available. 
7. Extended Stay America - if you need to plan an extended trip then you will love the coupons 20% - 40% coupons available for Extended Stay America.
8. Sea World Parks - perhaps Orlando is on your list for a splashing good time. Then head over to check out the 53 coupon deals for Sea World Parks.  
9. Booking.com - right now there are 58 ways to save at Booking.com.
10. City Pass - if you are hitting a big city like New York or Atlanta then be sure to get a City Pass to get the most bang for your buck. Plus you can save even more by visiting Groupon Coupon first. 
11. Zipcar - if you are not interested in driving to your destination then Zipcar has over 15 coupon offers for you to choose from. 

These are just a few of the many retailers on Groupon. Other companies that might interest you include Amazon, Target , Macy’s, Walmart, Walgreens, and Aeropostale. No matter what your shopping need may be, Groupon has a deal for you!  

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. 

Why You Should Invest In Memberships?

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

As you may know I admin a large homeschool group for the Southeast United States, called SE Homeschool Fieldtrips. There are over 2,000 families now in the group and well it keeps me VERY busy which is why you don't see me blogging as much as I used to :) You see we have embraced a different way of educating our children. Rather than sitting at the kitchen table reading about animals, nature, wars, knights, etc in a textbook we go out and experience them. Don't get me wrong books are awesome and we love and use them a lot too (especially in the car while we are driving to our destination for the day), but we also take full advantage of the world around us. I have found that the experiences are more memorable and unforgettable. And that is one of the many reasons I created the SE Homeschool Fieldtrips Group. It is a place for me to share with other families the amazing, educational opportunities we have available to us. It is a place for me to share tips and tricks for fieldtripping and traveling with children. And it is a place for me to share my passion for experiential learning.

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" - St. Augustine

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine - See more at: http://wanderingtrader.com/list-of-best-inspirational-travel-quotes/#sthash.0FhAK0I5.dpuf

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine - See more at: http://wanderingtrader.com/list-of-best-inspirational-travel-quotes/#sthash.0FhAK0I5.dpuf

In Georgia and our neighboring states there are endless educational opportunities for families. I often hear families say that they don't take advantage of these opportunities because of the expense involved with visiting some of them. And that is why today I am going to share some information about memberships and the reasons you should invest in them, how to save money on them and even how to get one for FREE in 2015.

Just about every museum, zoo, aquarium, history center, nature center, state park, amusement park, etc offers a membership of some sort. Since we cannot obviously purchase a membership to all of them every year we rotate our memberships. We generally have 3-4 memberships at a time. Some of our local favorites have been the HIGH Museum of Art, Georgia State Parks Pass, Fernbank, Atlanta History Center, Legoland Discovery Center, Zoo Atlanta, Elachee Nature Center and Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Reasons to invest in them:

1. Save Money - of course the number one reason is that they save you money. Most memberships pay for themselves after 2 visits
2. Special Perks - who doesn't love some special perks? With a membership you can almost always guarantee that you will receive discounts in the cafe and gift store. But you can also sometimes get additional benefits like early registration to special events or discounts on special events.
3. Friend Benefits - sometimes things are way more fun with friends! Most memberships provide you with several guest passes that you can share with friends or extended family members. Some even allow you to bring friends for FREE (like Legoland Discovery Center on Friend Fridays, Atlanta Zoo). And others provide your friends with a generous discount every time you bring them (like the HIGH Museum of Art).
4. Reciprocity - if you travel often than this is a great reason to get a membership, because you can take advantage of reciprocity benefits (FREE or discounted admission) at participating attractions around the country, thanks to programs like the AZA, ASTC, NARM, ACM and others.
5. Discounted or More Accessible Parking - there are quite a few museums where the only parking available is paid parking. But if you have a membership you can receive discounted, FREE or more accessible parking.
6. Tax Deductible  - many memberships are tax deductible possibly saving you even more money come tax time. 
7. Homeschool Days - many attractions offer homeschool day programs and if you are a member they are often discounted or even included in the cost of your membership.
8. Support - by purchasing a membership your money is supporting a cause/effort ie: art restoration, animal conservation, etc.
9. Make Great Gifts - if you need to purchase a gift for a family and have no idea what to get consider an attraction membership. It is a gift that keeps giving and a great way for families to create special memories together.
10. Endless Learning Experiences and Memories - museums, zoos, state parks, etc are not only fun, but they are also great learning experiences for both kids and adults. And they are a great way to create special memories with your family. 
11. Changing Exhibits - exhibits, animals, and experiences come and go so you are always in store for something new at an attraction. Some obviously change more than others but by having a membership you can experience those changes and maybe even have some input into them. 
12. Freedom - have you ever been to a museum that is so large that you are overwhelmed and worried you won't be able to see it all? Or maybe you visited a museum with young children...and ended up having to leave earlier than you wanted?  Well having a membership gives you the freedom to enjoy the attraction without feeling rushed, stressed and overwhelmed.

But you don't need to take my word for it....check out what some of my fellow homeschool group members have to say about why they purchase memberships:

• "I love the freedom it gives us to explore places more deeply and fully, without feeling the need to see it all in one day. With a membership, we can spend 3 hours observing lions and not feel like we are missing out on anything else. We'll hit the other stuff a different day." - Betsy S.
• "With a family of 5 to buy one visit is just slightly less or sometimes more than buying an annual pass / membership. So we usually get the membership. It is also nice when a membership has extra perks like a discount at the cafe or gift shop. I like memberships that include grandparents or extra kids. RECIPROCAL memberships are the BEST I love when being a member to one place gets us in for free or a discounted rate at another place." - Elizabeth M.
• "We have several memberships , of course it saves money but for the major we really want to support the organization. The Atlanta Zoo, The High Museum , The Fernbank Natural History Museum and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens ETC... all have wonderful community programs. They give back in so many ways. Those are the memberships I feel are worthwhile for our family." Barbara BS
• "I also like memberships for the discounts it gives us on things like classes, gift shops, parking, etc. We really like being able to take out of town friends and family places. Either our membership gets them a discounted ticket, or we can take them in with our family pass." - Christina G.
• "A membership / and the membership card in my wallet is a gentle reminder to get out and enjoy life" - Alana G.

How to save money on them:

1. Educator Discount - if you are a homeschooler or teacher ask about receiving the educator discount. Many of the Georgia attractions offer about $10 off memberships if you show them proof that you homeschool or teach in the public school system. 
2. Split The Cost - many family memberships get in up to 4 kids and 2 adults. So if your spouse doesn't go often with you split the cost of a membership with a friend instead. 
3. Deal Websites  - take advantage of deal websites like Groupon, Sweet Jack, etc. Often attractions offer membership deals on these websites sometimes saving you up to 50% off.
4. Swaptember Savings - take advantage of Swaptember Savings which happens every September in Georgia. During the entire month you can show your membership from a participating attraction and save up to $10 off a membership or discounted admission at another participating attraction.
5. 4th Grader FREE National Park Pass - in 2015 every 4th grader can receive a FREE National Park pass thanks to the Every Kid In A Park initiative. The park pass will benefit the entire family of the 4th grader for 1 year.

And there you have it! So which memberships will you be investing in this year?

Boredom Busters For Road Trips #NGKinsider

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

We have all heard it. Those dreaded words....."Mom I'm bored." But what if I told you there were some really awesome books from National Geographic that will keep your kids busy for hours? Seriously!!! I recently spent 5 hours in the car with 2 kids while we went on vacation to Myrtle Beach. I handed them a bag with some National Geographic boredom busting books and ta-da they were occupied, learning and having fun and most importantly not stating that they were bored every 5 minutes.

Here are the 5 books I included in their bag:

• Funny Fill In - My Rain Forest Adventure - this book will keep your kids (and maybe even you) busy for hours as you fill in blanks to create silly (ok hilarious) stories. This book is fun and a great way to teach kids the parts of speech. Your kids will have a blast, learning and giggling as they learn about the sights, sounds and animals of the rain forest. It is great for kids ages 8-12 years old. $4.99
• Funny Fill In - My Amusement Park Adventure - this is another fun fill in the blank book that will take kids on fun crazy ride through an amusement park.  It is great for kids ages 8-12 years old. $4.99
• Just Joking Animal Riddles - this 208 page soft cover book is loaded with animal-focused jokes and riddles and is guaranteed to keep your kids reading, rhyming and howling like a chimpanzee. There are over 150 hilarious and riddles to be exact. The book was authored by former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis. This book is great for kids ages 7-10 years old. $7.99
• Quiz Whiz 5 - this 176 page soft cover book is a great way for kids to discover fun, fascinating and funny quiz questions. This is the 5th installment in this popular series. Kids will love the beautiful photos and have tons of fun quizzing family, friends and themselves. It is great for kids ages 8-12 years old. $9.99
• Shark Sticker Activity Book - this 56 page soft cover activity book is perfect for kids ages 4-10 years old. It is not only very educational but it lots of fun too. Activities include mazes, spelling and pattern games, drawing activities, shark facts and more! And of course there are stickers....what kid doesn't love stickers? $6.99

Be sure to download your very own activity pack for FREE here.

Giveaway:
Guess what? One winner will win their own set of these 5 books thanks to National Geographic. Just fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below. Only the first entry is mandatory. Other entries are optional and give you extra chances. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. The winner will be posted on the blog and will be emailed. Winner must reply within 24 hrs with their contact information or another winner will be chosen. Prize will be shipped by National Geographic. Wait a moment for it to load....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Travel Is Exploring, Dreaming and Discovering #WORDTraveling

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

Last year I had a blast participating in the Travel Effect blog series over at WordTraveling.com. I wrote about Boredom Busters For Road Trips. It was so much fun that I decided to join the fun again. This year the theme was "Travel Is," and I choose the title "Travel Is Exploring, Dreaming and Discovering" for my post.

We love traveling together as a family. Our travels may not be very far (yet), but even on our short, local adventures we enjoy exploring, dreaming and discovering as a family.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

I don't know about you, but I love that quote (whether or not Mark Twain actually wrote it). It really speaks to me and provides me with encouragement to go after what I truly want for myself and my family. And this quote doesn't just apply to traveling it also applies to life in general. Too often people make excuses whether it be money, time, weather interference's, safety concerns, worries about the future, etc for not venturing away from their safe harbor. They don't realize that there is a HUGE world out there waiting to be explored, dreams to be made and discoveries to be found. The good news is you still have time to throw off your bowlines and sail away into a world of wonder while making special memories with your family!

For more inspiration to get you started with your exploring, dreaming and discovering continue reading the rest of my post over at WordTraveling.com....

Giveaway:

Please click the image below to join us for the exciting Travel is... series and to enter the fabulous Travel Giveaway (Over $1,250 in prizes)!

How To Spend A Day In Dahlonega Georgia

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

We love traveling and exploring our amazing home state of Georgia, but right now we are restricted to trips that are only about 2 hours from our home (which is just North of Atlanta). Last year I was trying to find us a new place to explore that was within our 2 hour drive limit and decided on Dahlonega.

Dahlonega is the site of the first major U.S. Gold Rush and the Heart of Georgia Wine Country. This amazing little mountain city offers something for everyone. Some of the things you can enjoy include outstanding arts and gold medal wineries, original architecture and gold history attractions, outdoor adventure and a Golden Bear signature golf course and the University of North Georgia with its signature gold steeple.

If you are looking to spend a day in Dahlonega and spend a very small amount of money I have the perfect itinerary for you!

1) Dahlonega Gold Museum - This museum takes about 1-1 1/2 hrs to get through. Admission is $7 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 6 and older and $2 for children 6 and under.

The museum is housed inside the 1836  Lumpkin County Courthouse, the oldest courthouse Georgia. So not only can you learn about the gold history of Dahlonega you can also explore the courthouse features like the beautiful wooden chapel seats from 1889 and the judge's chambers. You can even see the flecks of gold in the bricks! The museum is two stories and only the first floor is wheelchair accessible. One the first floor of the museum you will learn all about the gold rush, see a complete set of rare coins (safely secured inside a giant vault), a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a fantastic rock, gem and mineral collection and more. On the second floor there is a great 23 minute that film describes the mining techniques and lifestyles of the prospectors through interviews with members of long time mining families of the area. There is also a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle on display that was used to blast soil from mountainsides as well as numerous artifacts. On your way out be sure to visit the gift shop to take home some gold of your own! If you are a homeschool family or teacher be sure to download the Georgia historic sites tour curriculum.

2) Mount Hope Cemetery - This stop takes about 1 hr. Admission is FREE. Please be respectful of those resting here.

Our family loves cemeteries because they are very educational. Be sure to check out my Lessons From The Grave post which will explain more about why we visit cemeteries.

This cemetery is really special for several reasons. The first is that it is an old pre-Civil War cemetery. And the second is that it is one of the few cemeteries that still has several "Slot and Tab" grave markers which are found only in this part of the country. The cemetery has 1,000-2,000 grave sites and has an interesting mix of old and new grave markers. It is the resting place for Confederate officer William Pierce Price (State Legislator and US Congressman), member of the Philips Legion Infantry - Co E - The Blue Ridge Rifles Jesse Marion “J. M.” McDonald  and three Revolutionary War veterans.

3) University of North Georgia - You don't even have to get out of the car for this one. As you drive to the next stop make sure yo pass the University of North Georgia to check out the stunning gold steeple! Admission is FREE. You can also get a good view of the gold steeple from the cemetery.

4) Yahoola United Cherokee Museum and Cultural Education Center - This stop takes about 1 hr. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 4 and older.

We really stumbled upon this museum by accident and I am so glad we did. My daughter is fascinated with the Native American culture so we are always looking for ways to learn more. This museum is a work in progress and not too big...but what they have on display and what they are trying to accomplish is amazing.

The Yahoola United Cherokee Museum and Cultural Education Center is a 501(c) (3) Non Profit Corporation. Their mission is to build a Museum and Education Center that will not only tell the Cherokee side of Dahlonega history and surrounding areas, but also take you on a journey back through time. Dahlonega was and is a central player in an often over looked and ignored side of Cherokee history....remember the trail of tears?  It was because of the gold discovery in the Taquohee district of the Cherokee Nation (several miles east of present day Dahlonega) that the Native Americans were driven from their homes. The temporary museum in downtown Dahlonega (phase 1) currently features interactive displays and living history displays. The fact that they were interactive and that children where encouraged to touch was a HUGE plus in our book. There were numerous artifacts and authentic reproductions of tools, weaponry and other articles. Even the gift shop was amazing and everything that is for sale is handmade by Native Americans around the USA.

The museum needs help though to expand and make their ultimate dream a reality...which is to build a museum on a 5 acre spot non Highway 115. The museum building with replicate the traditional seven-sided Cherokee Council House.  It will share Cherokee culture that is oriented toward children. Phase 2 has broken ground and a demonstration area has been built to show stomp ground, medicinal plants and trees and demonstrate weapons and hunting implements. 

5) Cane Creek Falls - This stop takes about 1 - 1/2 hours. Admission is FREE. This is private property and belongs to Glisson Camp and Retreat Center, however they do allow public visitors to view the falls (when no retreats are in session). Just park at the visitors center, check in, then take a nice stroll down to the falls (you can also drive down).

The falls are absolutely beautiful and there is a top of the falls viewing deck and a nice wooded path above and below the falls where you can enjoy nature. If you walk to the falls from the visitor center it is about 1 mile round trip. you can also opt to drive down to the base of the falls.

6) Trahlyta's Grave - This stop takes about 15 minutes. Admission is FREE. Use extreme caution when getting out of your car if you decide to visit the actual grave to place a stone...it is a very busy intersection. We parked on the shoulder of the road. 

Legend has it that this mysterious pile of stones marks the grave of a Cherokee princess, Trahlyta. According to the legend her tribe, living on Cedar Mountain north of the site, knew the secret of the magic springs of eternal youth from the Witch of Cedar Mountain. Trahlyta was kidnapped by a rejected suitor, Wahsega, and was taken far away and lost her beauty. As she was dying, Wahsega promised to bury her here near her home and the magic springs. Custom arose among the Indians and later the Whites to drop stones, one for each passerby, on her grave for good fortune. The magic springs, now known as Porter Springs, lie 1/4 mile northeast of the site.

As much as I love legends we were told by a couple Native Americans that the legend is false and that the pile of stones is just that a pile of stones. However we still dropped a couple stones on the site. For the address visit the Dahlonega website.

7) Babyland General Hospital (Cabbage Patch) - This stop takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. Admission is FREE. This place is located in Cleveland, GA a neighboring city just 15 miles east of Dahlonega.

This fun little place is situated on 650 acres in the North Georgia Mountains. The Southern Style home is filled with thousands of Cabbage Patch Kids just waiting to be adopted. Mother Cabbage is always on display beneath the branches of the Magic Crystal Tree and the magical Cabbage Patch is tended by the Licensed Patch Doctors and Nurses. This is the only place in the world where you can witness the birth of hand-sculpted Cabbage Patch Kids. If you want you can even take the Oath of Adoption and take home your perfect  Cabbage Patch Kid match. 

In between all your stops be sure to grab a few geocaches too!

And there you have it, how to spend a day in Daholnega and experience history, culture, science and more without breaking the bank.  For a family of 4 this trip itinerary will cost just under $40 (not including gas or food).

For more staycation ideas check out the awesome blogs below:

A - D

Phoenix, Arizona -- Saving For Someday
Fresno, California -- Living A Frugal Life
Orange County, California -- More With Less Today
San Diego, California -- Southern Cali Saver
Denver, Colorado -- Bargain Blessings
Washington, District of Columbia -- Kidventurous

F - I

Disney World, Florida -- The Happy Housewife
Jacksonville, Florida -- Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida -- Coupon Mamacita
St Augustine, Florida -- Simply St. Augustine
Tallahasse, Florida -- SwagGrabber
Tampa Bay, Florida -- LaToyaEdwards.net
Atlanta, Georgia -- Pretty Frugal Diva
Dahlonega, Georgia -- Kathys Cluttered Mind
Savannah, Georgia -- This Mommy Saves Money
Aurora/Chicago, Illinois -- A Savings WOW!
Chicago, Illinois -- Entertaining Chicago
Indianapolis, Indiana -- Chaos Is Bliss

K - P

Lexington, Kentucky -- Homeschool Village
Louisville, Kentucky -- The Kennedy Adventures
Northern Kentucky, Kentucky -- Simply Sherryl
Carroll County, Maryland -- Looking at life CreativLEI
Boston, Massachusetts -- Maven of Savin
Battle Creek, Michigan -- Pichea Place
Grand Rapids, Michigan -- Give Me Neither
Metro Detroit, Michigan -- Saving Dollars and Sense
Kansas City Area, Missouri/Kansas -- Redefined Mom
Omaha, Nebraska -- Family Fun in Omaha
Central, New Jersey -- Our Good Life
Cincinnati, Ohio -- Adventure Mom
Cleveland, Ohio -- Kosher on a Budget
Columbus, Ohio -- Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio -- Savings Lifestyle
Mansfield & Richland County, Ohio -- The Traveling Praters
Miami County, Ohio -- Something 2 Offer
Northeast, Ohio -- Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
Portland, Oregon -- Frugal Living NW
Harrisburg/Central, PA -- Family Balance Sheet
Erie, Pennsylvania -- Growing Kids Ministry
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- Moms Need To Know
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- The Coupon High

R - W

Arlington, Texas -- Grocery Shop For FREE
Fort Worth, Texas -- Coupons and Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas -- Melissa's Bargains
Katy, Texas -- Moms Confession
San Antonio, Texas -- How to Homeschool My Child
Tyler, Texas -- iLoveMy5Kids
Charlottesville, Virgina -- How to Have it All
Norfolk, Virgina -- The Talking Suitcase
Richmond, Virgina -- Vacation Maybe
Seattle, Washington -- Thrifty NW Mom
Tacoma/South Puget Sound, Washington -- Queen Bee Coupons
Oshkosh, Wisconsin -- A Little Bit of This and That

Top 5 FREE Apps To Manage Busy, On The Go Families

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details. This was was sponsored by Life360.

Are you an on the go, super busy family? If you answered yes then here are 5 apps you NEED to download. These are all apps that I have personally utilized at one point or another for our family.

Top 5 Apps To Manage Busy, On the Go Families:

1. Life360 - this app is available for iOS, Android and Windows. Have you arrived safely? Can you pick the kids up? Can you pick up eggs and milk at the grocery store? The Life360 app builds a utility-focused network for the family that is centered on location sharing and making it easier for families to communicate and stay connected despite how busy they become. But that's not all you can also send messages and share lists (like grocery or shopping lists). Life360 makes communicating destination arrivals and departures super easy. With just a tap of the "notification" button you can let someone know that you have arrived somewhere. They instantly receive an alert stating that you have checked in and also receive the address. If you currently get charged for text messages then you will love the fact that you can send and receive messages and lists with Life360 for FREE.  READ my full review here.
   
   
   
   
2. Cozi Calendar - this app is available for iOS, Android and Windows...it also works on a PC. Cozi is a free online organizer that helps families manage crazy calendars, organize household chores, share memories and more —all in one place. My favorite part about the app is that you can sync calendars from places like Meetup.com and Facebook too.
3. Trip It - this app is available for iOS and Android - TripIt makes planning a trip itinerary a breeze. You can easily organize all of your travel details including plane tickets, car rentals, train schedules, hotel reservations, activities and more. TripIt "automatically" creates a single itinerary from all your trip details. And if you have Life360 downloaded to your phone and your family's phones you can easily let everyone know you have arrived at each of your destinations safely. 
4. InstantPlaydates - this app is available for iOS and Android (BETA) - Who’s free to go to the park right now or meet at the museum on Saturday? InstantPlaydates lets you easily schedule playdates with your Facebook friends. When you’re heading to the park, you  broadcast your availability and how long you’ll be there. Or, you can check to see who’s currently available.
5. iReward - this app is available for iOS, Android and Windows. iReward is a great app that brings the traditional reward chart onto mobile device, with a customizable, interactive interface. iRewardChart helps busy parents keep track of their child’s good behavior and chores and reward them appropriately. READ my full review here. 

What are your favorite apps to help manage busy, on the go family life?

* All apps have FREE and paid versions. Paid versions offer more features and are ad free. 

AYL StarLight 330 LED Lantern Review - A Must Have For Camping and Home

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

A moms review:
This year we plan to take more camping trips, so besides making an awesome ultimate camping checklist (which I hope to post on my blog soon) I have been on the search for quality camping supplies.

A few weeks ago we received an AYL StarLight 330 LED Lantern to review. It has been too cold to go camping so we tested out the lantern at home. Not only is this lantern great for camping, but it also comes in handy around the home. It makes a perfect night light, can keep you safe during a black out, makes bedtime stories more fun, and can save your life during roadside emergencies. 

The AYL StarLight 330 LED Lantern uses LED lighting technology making it one of the brightest, clearest LED lanterns on the market today (300 Lumens). Because it uses LEDs it generates little to no heat so there is no need to worry about starting a fire or having a child get burned. The use of LED lighting technology also means that the lantern uses less power and can be used continuously for up to 6 days. The LED lights are guaranteed for up to 100,000 hours of use before needing to be replaced. The lantern uses 3 D batteries for power (not included).

The lantern is made from sturdy rubber and high impact ABS plastic making it very reliable, durable and even water resistant. The base is very solid and weighted slightly so you won't need to worry about it tipping over easily. But it is still very lightweight making it easy to transport, it is so light that even a child can tote it around with ease. At the top of the lantern is a sturdy metal handle which folds down out of the way when it is not in use. At the bottom of the lantern is a fold-out plastic hook which makes hanging the lantern a breeze.

The lantern has three lighting modes which are easily accessible with the push of a button. There is Low, High and Flashing Strobe (perfect for emergencies). The High mode is equivalent to about a 30 watt incandescent bulb. On the front of the lantern is a little green light that flashes about every 5 seconds. This simple little feature is something that almost no other lantern has. So what does it do? Well it helps you locate the lantern in the dark...pretty ingenious right. One other really unique feature is the removable top which basically turns the lantern into a focused light/flashlight.

I was thoroughly impressed with this lantern and it is a great addition to our camping supplies and home emergency kit.

There are only a few things I think the company could improve on to make the lantern even better. The bottom hanging hook which is made of plastic doesn't look like it will hold up over an extended period of use (especially around children). Perhaps a metal hook similar to the carrying handle may be a better option for them to consider in the future. And the battery installation was a little difficult as there are no orientation indicators on the inside of the battery compartment (like most products)...I finally realized they were located in the instruction booklet...yeah I am one of those people who doesn't like to read instructions. I also had some difficulty with the battery cap the first time. The AYL Starlight 330 uses a special triple seal to help keep moisture and humidity from entering the battery compartment. Because of this the cap can be a little difficult at first to remove and replace...but it is definitely a feature that needs to remain in place. And since the batteries don't need to be replaced often it is totally something I can live with. The instruction manual also has clear instructions for removing and replacing the cap (plus there is a link to a video too).

The AYL StarLight 300 also comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty so you can rest assured you are making a wise investment. 

Where to buy:
You can currently purchase the AYL StarLight 300 Lantern on Amazon for $35.00 (FREE shipping).

Our On The Go Life Just Got A Little Easier And Safer Thanks To The Life360 App

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details. This post was sponsored by Life360, however all thoughts are completely my own.

Life360 was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in San Francisco. They are the world's largest network for families and have over 43 million families using their app around the world. The Life360 app builds a utility-focused network for the family that is centered on location sharing and making it easier for families to communicate and stay connected despite how busy they become.

A moms review:
Several days ago I downloaded the FREE Life360 app. Life360 is an award winning Family Network App that allows you to easily locate family members and quickly communicate with them. The app is available across all mobile platforms including Android, Apple/ios, Windows and BlackBerry. 

Downloading and setting up the app was super simple. After downloading the free app to my phone I was walked through the simple setup process.  First I added people to my circles, which in my case included my husband. You can set up separate circles for family, friends, etc. Your location is only shared with the people you add to your circles, when you choose to share it. My husband was then sent a notification that I had added him to my Life360 family circle and given instructions on how to download the app. Next I set up two places (work and home). Anytime either my husband or I arrive at or leave one of these destinations we will receive an automatic alert. This is helpful for so many reasons one of them being I now know exactly when to start dinner! After he downloaded the app and created his profile we were all set to go. Note: the app does use geolocation so your GPS will need to be turned on at all times while utilizing the app.

The children and I are always on the go and often go on out of town and out of state road trips, hikes, and other fieldtrip adventures without my husband. Generally I just send him a quick text message letting him know that we arrived at or are leaving our destination, but thanks to Life360 fieldtripping just got a whole lot easier and safer for our family.

This app makes communicating our destination arrivals and departures much easier. With just a tap of the "notification" button I can let my husband know that we have arrived somewhere. He automatically gets an alert that we have checked in and also receives the address. At anytime he can also view our history, request a check in from us and call or message us directly from the app. If he taps on my icon he can view our history for the day to see exactly what destinations we have been to and how long we were there. By using the timeline tool at the bottom you can scroll through your daily travels or use the map feature to see the route you took on a walk, run, hike or bike ride.

And for the times we do travel or hike together as a family Life360 can help us find each other quickly and easily in the event we get separated from each other.

My children are still too young for cellphones of their own, but I can already see the many advantages of this app for children. Rather than a child having to constantly check in with mom or dad via text messaging or phone calls they can simply tap the "notification" button to alert their parents of their arrival, removing the friction of the dreaded check in.

It is also a fabulous...actually a must have app for people with any sort of medical condition. My husband is a type 1 diabetic and I often worry about him having complications, like a seizure. With Life360 I can make sure he arrives at his destination safely and in the event there was ever an emergency I will know his exact location.

Other app features include crime alerts which will update you on any major crimes that have happened recently in the area...this is great for traveling to unfamiliar areas. Need to locate a police station, medical facility or fire station quickly well the app does that for you too. One of my favorite features in the app is the "panic" button. With the tap of the "panic" button everyone in my selected circle gets an email, text, and phone call which states that I need help and provides my location information. And a button will also pop up that I can tap to quickly call 911. Note: In the event of an emergency where you don't want an attacker to know you are calling for help make sure you MUTE your phone. When it sends the alert out your phone will make a loud tone which could alert an attacker that you have just notified for help. Hopefully future updates of the app will resolve this issue.

There is also list feature which makes it easy to send grocery or other lists to family members. And if you are someone who frequently looses or misplaces your phone then you definitely need the app. Just ask someone in your circles to look for your phone. You will be able to locate it within about 60 feet.

As I mentioned above the app is FREE however if you purchase the premium edition of the app ($5.00/month) you can also set up roadside assistance, locate non-smartphones, add unlimited places, and more.

This app is great for helping you stay in contact with those you love and care about. It makes life easier and is great for families, friends, other small groups and even businesses.

Links to follow:
-Life360 Facebook
-Life360 Twitter

How important is for you to stay connected to your family?

*Prior to downloading any app it is recommended that you review permission details and privacy policies.

Diabetes Travel Checklist (With A FREE Printable)

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

Did you know November is American Diabetes month? Did you know diabetes is an epidemic...and I am not just talking about Type 2 diabetes. My amazing husband is a Type 1 diabetic, meaning he is dependent on insulin to survive because his pancreas does not produce any insulin. Thanks to the insulin pump his diabetes has become more manageable and his health has greatly improved. Diabetics lead pretty normal lives thanks to modern day medicine and insulin pumps, however there is definitely more preparation required for certain things, like traveling. We do a lot of traveling and it was during some of our summer adventures that I realized I needed to create a diabetic travel checklist and create this blog post.

We were traveling through South Georgia when my husbands insulin pump alerted him the battery was just about dead. Normally it gives a warning that the battery is getting low and you have a few hours, even days sometimes to replace it...but for some reason this time it didn't. So there we are in the middle of nowhere with no replacement batteries. We eventually found a little gas station and thought surely they would have some batteries for sale, well they didn't. Ben explained that he needed it for a medical device and the clerk went to the back to see if they had any batteries laying around. Thankfully they did, and Ben paid for the most expensive battery ever. Yup, they charged him almost $5 for one battery. Lesson learned pack extra batteries!

One of our stops on our South Georgia adventure was the Okefenokee Swamp. We were camping for 3 days at the swamp and it was during this stop that we discovered yet another thing to add to the diabetes checklist. If you are familiar with this area, you know it is a pretty deserted. The swamp campground is over 18 miles from the closest town, over 50 miles from the closest hospital and there is virtually no cell service. One evening my husband informed me his blood sugar was getting low. Thankfully we were able to get it back up quickly and it didn't result in a seizure, but this reminded us that when you are in a deserted area make sure you have local emergency contact numbers and if you are camping make sure you know where the ranger or campground host are located.

And then there was our trip to Six Flags. This trip involved two Type 1 diabetics. My husband and his sister (who is also a Type 1) were waiting in line for a roller coaster, when my sister-in-law's blood pressure started dropping. They immediately got out of line and rushed over to a concession stand to get water. After she rested and was re-hydrated she was fine. And later in the day my husbands blood sugar got a little low. You see standing in long lines and large amounts of walking in the heat do not make a good situation for diabetics. It is very important to have snacks and water on hand at amusement parks. It is also important to know about insulin pump safety on roller coasters and other rides. Be sure to read your pumps user manual for details. You may want to also check with park admission to see if they offer free fast passes to diabetes. Explain to them the dangers of standing in long lines (heat issues, blood sugar crashes, etc).

Here is a printable Diabetes Travel checklist that I created to help us prepare for future travel adventures, I hope it will help you too!