1. Plan ahead. We mapped out our route and booked our hotels ahead of time, rather than looking for a place to stop. This allowed us to budget more clearly because we knew exactly how much we were going to spend. In one case, we even got a discount for pre-paying for the hotel. Also, because we booked ahead of time, they were able to block our rooms for us with our crib and my husband's feather-free pillows, so we could be sure to get them.
2. Use points. We had accumulated several hotel points from our relocation and my husband's business trips and were able to use them to get one of our nights of hotel completely for free. This is the first time we ever had enough points to do that, but we have been diligent anyway about always using our numbers, and now are close to being able to book rooms at several different hotel chains. I'm also a fan of Free Frequent Flyer Miles for accumulating points and miles without traveling.
3. Look for promotions. When we were at the wedding, we used the wedding block code to get a great rate and a free breakfast. I also checked the hotel website before we left and found a promotion for one free night after every two stays, which I registered for. After our trip, we should have a free night to use next time we want to go away.
4. Consider giftcards. Our grocery store gives gas discounts for giftcards purchased, so we bought a giftcard to use for our hotel stay and for some of the restaurants along the way.
5. Find restaurant coupons. If you've planned your stay, you know where you're going to stop. Search each of those towns to find out what restaurants are there, and sign up for mailing lists to get coupons to those restaurants. It's also a good idea to pile up coupons for fast food and coffee places for stops along the way.
6. Make good use of breakfast. Mid priced hotels are most likely to offer free breakfast. Many of these breakfasts are so good now that you can eat well enough to skip lunch and just snack in the car. This saves you time as well as money.
7. Pack food. We always pack a bag full of snacks from my stockpile - things like poptarts, granola bars, cookies, crackers - as well a cooler with some bagels sandwiches and drinks. You could also pack cereal and milk, and even some microwave meals to eat in your room. Be sure to bring your coupon folder to go to the grocery store once you are there and restock for the trip back.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
7 Tips for a frugal roadtrip
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Giveaway: 100 Uprinting Postcards (Closed)
Uprinting has been kind enough to offer me another outstanding prize to give away. One lucky reader will receive 100 custom printed postcards.
The specifics: 5” x 7” 14pt Cardstock Gloss on a 2 Business Days Turnaround; Front Only printing
These cards would be great for small business owners trying to get the word out but would also make excellent Save the Date cards or birth announcements. My mind spins just trying to think of what I can make with mine.
To enter, simply leave a comment telling me what you would use your cards for.
You can get bonus entries by doing any of the following:
- Follow My Money or My Life publicly on Google Friend Connect.
- Follow me (story3girl) on Twitter.
- Like Uprinting on Facebook.
Do Good: Free $1 donation to Japan relief efforts
Right now when you like Voskos Yogurt and their current status, they will donate $1 to relief efforts in Japan.
As I find more ways to help Japan charities, I will post them on my Ways to Help Japan Now lens on Squidoo. Please feel free to link up your ideas there or here.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Getting back in the swing of things
We are just back from a long weekend away, and it's taking me a day or two to get my life back in the swing of things. I have been plowing through the laundry and the mail, trying to get my budget reconciled, and getting my kitchen restocked.
Some random thoughts to share after 4 days on the road, including a wedding in the middle:
I have a fantastically even tempered baby.
Planning makes trips cheaper and easier.
11 courses at a wedding might be too many courses.
Gas is expensive. Very expensive.
There's no place like home.
More to come! Just glad to be back!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Free $25 to LetsGo Green
If you are a new member of the deal a day site Gaggle of Chicks, or if you've signed up but not used your sign up credit yet, you can get a $25 credit to Let's Go Green completely for free! There are lots of great green home products, so this is a way to stock your house for free while helping the environment. Count me in!
Thanks Couponing to Disney for finding this deal!
