I had the opportunity to interview Amy Gross from Mom’s Travel tales this past week. Amy takes her family on about five trips a year, so I just new I had to pick her brain on how she does it. She shared some amazing tips that I think you all will find save you some money this year. If you cannot see the video in your reader or email, click here.
A few points that Amy made:
1. Your traveling doesn’t have to be a luxurious vacation. Go somewhere nearby and you’ll still feel like you’re getting a nice vacation.
2. Be intentional with where you are going, and make the journey part of the vacation. It doesn’t have to be just about getting from point A to point B. Find the adventures along the way so that you are maximizing the money spent on gas.
3. When traveling with children, always keep sharpies and zip lock bags on hand. Use the sharpie to label drinks with initials, and you can label bags you may not have intended on checking. Soiled clothes or souvenirs can go in zip lock bags, and then you can label the bags with your sharpie.
4. If you’re going to Walt Disney World or Disney Land, be intentional:
- Take snacks with you.
- Choose to stay at a budget resort for a few nights, and then stay at a luxury one for a few nights.
- Think about the souvenirs you would want to buy beforehand.
- Reusable bags are a great souvenir that you will continue to use every time you go shopping.
- Stick to your budget that you plan for.
5. Best travel tip for those on a budget: Think of the ways you can cut back without feeling like you are scrimping and saving. Breakfast is a big way that you can save. Keep yogurt, milk or orange juice and fruit in your room. Or, you can stay at a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast.
You can follow Amy at her website’s Moms Toolbox and Mom’s Travel Tales.
Thank you all for joining me for a week of Travel talk and tips. Where are you heading on vacation this year, and what is your best travel tip for those on a budget?
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I liked this. We are planning a vacation soon and I found she mentioned things I hadn’t thought of. Thanks!
I think realizing that even though you can’t afford a full throttle, no holds barred luxury vacation doesn’t mean that you can’t travel and have a great time! Think about what’s most important to you and figure out how to get it…… for example, my family heads to the beach every year, and there is no way that I could afford that week in a condo on the beach in St. Augustine if I was eating out every meal! Definitely, take your crock pot with you and make good use of that fridge! I choose to save on food so that I can splurge on the accommodations!
Nice! And it’s also sometimes cheaper to choose that house on the beach vs. a hotel.
I posted this on your site too.
) I think the key is realizing (and accepting!) that even though you can’t afford a full throttle, no holds barred luxury vacation doesn’t mean that you can’t travel and have a great time! Think about what’s most important to you and figure out how to get it…… for example, my family heads to the beach every year, and there is no way that I could afford that week in a condo on the beach in St. Augustine if I was eating out every meal! Definitely, take your crock pot with you and make good use of that fridge! I choose to save on food so that I can splurge on the accommodations!
Great feedback Tina, Erin and Ginger. Thank you!
There were some great tips…some we already do, and a few we don’t (yet). I never thought to bring a sharpie to label bags with!
We use sharpies & write our phone number on our kids’ tummies for safety in case they get lost. Call it crazy, but it won’t fall off, it won’t get lost & it’s my piece of mind.
We also check for coupon books around the area at the Chamber of Commerce or at a state line/city limits. Go early for dinner when there’s specials for early diners or look for other specials if you want to eat out.
We also skip taking babies &/or toddlers to Disney World (or other big places). It’s too crowded, too hot, & I get sick of being run over by other strollers. We wait until they’re old enough to appreciate it & enjoy it for more than 2-3 hours. I hate seeing hot, sweaty babies passed out in a stroller.
Great tips Mary! Especially about writing the phone numbers on the kids tummies!
Yes the sharpie was a good one! I didn’t do that on our recent long road trip to Disney. I think my biggest issue on that trip was the drive part. Finding healthy foods late or fast. We had only a small space for a bag cooler. So road trip, healthy food tips would be good! We spent a lot stopping and a lot of markets were $$$ more than a would normally pay when we did stop for that type of food.
Yes the sharpie was a good one! I didn’t do that on our recent long road trip to Disney. I think my biggest issue on that trip was the drive part. Finding healthy foods late or fast. We had only a small space for a bag cooler. So road trip, healthy food tips would be good! We spent a lot stopping and a lot of markets were $$$ more than a would normally pay when we did stop for that type of food.
Helped a lot!! We are headed to florida keys for a week in just 16 days!!! YAY!! Picked up my ziplock bags today at harris teeter super double! Def packing the sharpie too! Awesome tips…loved the video! Thanks
I live in GA, my daughter lives in KS with my first grandchild, Moriah Grace, and now Eliza Hope is due June 10th. My husband and I cannot afford to fly last minute for the birth of Liza, because we ALL know last minute airfare is sky high ( pun intended)!
We will see our little angel two weeks after she is born ~ babies don’t change that much in two weeks, right?
I have met my son-in-love’s aunt and uncle twice and they said if we ever need a place to stay while in KS to let us know (my daughter’s apartment is tee-tiny). So, we are taking them up on their offer. We will provide our own breakfast foods, even though I know they will have some for us, and we will be at my daughter’s place for the other two meals, which Nonnie (me) will cook.
As a thank you gift to the gracious aunt and uncle, Rex & Debbie, I bought a $25 gift card to Restaurant.com for $3. If you haven’t heard of this site or joined it you really should; they offer 80-70% discount certificates at least once or twice a week; which can be used at ANY restaurant in ANY area you are staying.
If you don’t want an e-card that is printed on paper you can call them and tell them you want a plastic card – which looks like the kind you purchase at a store or at a restaurant.
We do get to go on one big vaca each year because my husband’s parents owned a time-share condo in Myrtle Beach. We go the first week of September every year and we only eat out two times in 7 days! Things aren’t like they used to be. The condo is fully stocked with cooking utensils, which we fully utilize. I buy as much food here and take it with us as I can because prices on ANYTHING are higher near the beach.
We enjoy sitting on the 8th floor balcony eating our breakfast, lunch and dinner, looking at the ocean. Or, we eat on a blanket on the sand. One truly can go on a vaca and still have fun without spending a lot of money.
I know this was super long – I have been told I have LONGEMAILITIS!