Beach Bum Paradise

I know, I’ve been talking a lot about cheap and inexpensive vacations, but with gas prices the way they are, you really do have to save money, and sometimes you just have to go on vacation. So saving money is a priority.

There are ways to save money though. The Imperial Valley News had an article recently about money-saving tips for family vacations.

Put down pricey electronics and entertain the kids creatively.
Nothing makes a trip longer than choruses of “are we there yet?” Instead of buying hand-held games, research and print fun facts and pictures of things that can be found en route to create personalized road trip activity books. Head to the library and check out a radio drama series, audio books and some music that everyone can enjoy, or compete in the classic guessing game, “I Spy”.

[When I was a kid, we played the alphabet game, where you had to find a words on the highway in alphabetical order. It really made the trips go much faster. Of course, my mom was a reading teacher, so anything educational was great for her.]

The “beaten path” is often more expensive.
As an alternative to pricier popular tourist sites, explore off the beaten path. Making fun stops along the way will keep the clan excited about the trip. Visit www.RoadSideAmerica.com for suggestions to customize any journey. For example, a trip could include a stop at the Meteor Crater in Arizona and dinosaur tracks along the Grand Canyon.

[After watching Feasting on Asphalt with Alton Brown, I really want to start getting off of the highway. Takes longer, but there's less traffic and more to see.]

Watch your driving habits to stretch fuel.
Practice a few gasoline-saving tips, such as:
* Replacing dirty or clogged air filters. Clean filters can improve gasoline mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car’s air filter also can protect your engine from impurities.
* Using cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic.
* Avoid idling. When the car idles, you get zero miles per gallon.
* Avoid higher speeds. Gasoline mileage usually decreases when driving over 60 miles per hour.

[Actually air filters, oil changes, tire pressure and new plugs can go a long way to getting better gas mileage. I would recommend K&N Air Filters. They are more expensive, but they are guaranteed for the life of your car, or a million miles.]

Save on special attraction tickets.
Don’t pay full price for theme parks and activities. Contact a hotel or resort destination to ask if they sell discount tickets or packages. It’s often possible to purchase discounted tickets on a park’s Web site. For example, a ticket ordered in advance on Disney’s Web site could be up to $50 less than one purchased at the gate.

[Or just don't go to Disneyland.]

Collect coupons.
The week before your trip, go through the Sunday newspaper and stock up on coupons. Look for grocery stores, tourist attractions and restaurants along the way. At the end of the trip, calculate how much money these coupons actually saved you on your vacation.

[This could be a great way to cut some costs.]

Don’t empty your wallet to fill your tank.
Credit cards offer a simple way to pay for things quickly, but using a rebate credit card means earning rewards with every swipe. Consider these savings: The Shell Platinum MasterCard from Citi Cards can earn you 5 percent rebates when filling the tank at Shell and 1 percent rebates on all other purchases you’ll make on the trip. To calculate your potential savings, visit www.877myshell.com.

[Or shop at Giant Eagle, for every $50 you spend you get 10 or 20 cents off gas at their gas stations.]

Keep an eye open for hotel savings.
When planning your trip, frequently check online for specials on hotels. New savings and specials pop up every day. When selecting a hotel, choose one that offers extras geared toward your group’s tastes like a pool, complimentary meals, membership discounts or specials for children. Also, check for local hostels to book a room for your summer vacation clan or share with other travelers.

Pack batch snacks.
Snack costs can rack up fast, so stock a cooler ahead of time with snacks and sodas from discount grocery stores. Pick up inexpensive snacks and beverages in economy sizes rather than individual serving sizes. Pick a park or campsite and enjoy a scenic group picnic, free of charge.

[I would take this a step further and pack almost all the food you would need. Just don't go to restaurants altogether during your travel time.]

Avoid drive-throughs.
Make meals more fun by stopping at locally owned restaurants. Many home-style restaurants provide early bird specials where larger meals are available at a low cost. Take a break from the main roads for even cheaper meals, such as food at local street festivals.

[I would definitely agree with this. Not only is it the same thing you get at home, it costs more money, and justs sits in your stomach and makes you have to stop at rest areas more often.]

So there are some money saving tips with my own thoughts interjected. How do you save money?