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A Money-saving Plan for the Summer Vacation Clan

(ARA) - Are you looking to embark on a summer family vacation that won’t break the bank? Whether it’s heading to an amusement park or road tripping across the country, there are simple ways to spend within your means by making informed, cost-conscious decisions while on the road. Family budgeting expert Jonni McCoy has some important tips to help families plan and create affordable, memorable and stress-free summer trips.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tips for Planning a Fun, Healthy Family Vacation

(ARA) – Living healthy is an important goal for many of us. Adults strive to implement healthy habits in their daily lives and parents try to pass these on to their children. It’s no wonder then that health is becoming increasingly important in all aspects of life, including when planning a vacation.

“The travel industry is embracing this trend and programs are being developed that combine healthy values with lots of family fun,” says Colleen Hodson of The Dude Ranchers’ Association, an organization that represents over 100 ranches in the western United States and Canada. “People and families of all ages now have options that incorporate health so you can have the vacation fun and feel good about it as well.”

Here are some tips to help you plan a fun, healthy vacation:

1. Indulge with delicious foods that are healthy.
When you’re on vacation, you want to enjoy yourself, and there’s nothing better than sitting down to a delicious meal. But who says that taste and health can’t go hand in hand?

Top chefs often use the freshest and healthiest ingredients possible to create dishes that tempt the palette and are good for the body. When you vacation, choose meals that use fresh, local ingredients. This will help you get a sense of the local fare and also indulge in a nutritious meal.

At Rancho De La Osa in Sasabe, Ariz., the chefs specialize in creating healthy dishes that are a delicious indulgence. “Our chefs use very little salt and use the fresh herbs we grow on the ranch,” comments Veronica Schultz, proprietress at the ranch. Rosemary, basil, mint, tarragon and Mexican oregano are all grown on-site. During the summer, the ranch grows tomatoes and peppers as well.

The ranch only uses extra virgin olive oil and makes all of their own lighter salad dressings. Sauces are fruit-based instead of cream-based to cut calories and increase flavor. “There’s no pre-made anything,” adds Schultz. “We make everything from scratch ... guests love it."

2. Spend quality time together and apart.
Health isn’t just about eating well and exercising, it’s about having positive relationships in your life. When planning a family vacation, choose activities the family can do together, working toward a common goal. Trying something new could bring you closer.

Jeanne Ross of Colorado Trails Ranch, a popular family vacation destination in Durango, Colo., says that families visiting the ranch split their time between activities together and activities with their peer groups. She notes that dude ranches provide a backdrop for families to focus on traditional values and spend quality time together.

“Our values are for families to have a good time, learn something new and be safe. People make friends that last forever, and that’s really a value of health,” comments Ross.

At the ranch, activities include horseback riding, fly fishing, rafting, trap shooting and more. Ross says these activities even help stubborn teens break out of their shell. “When they first come, teens are skeptical, but after a couple days, they really enjoy themselves. When it’s time to leave Sunday morning, the ones that have the longest tears are the teenagers.”

3. Relax and spend some time learning more about yourself.
Self reflection and relaxation are important aspects of a healthy vacation. After all, when you return back to the “real world” you want to feel positive and refreshed. Vacations are the perfect time to look for activities that help you learn a little more about yourself. Perhaps spend some time journaling, or try a new artistic activity like pottery or painting.

At Homeplace Ranch in Alberta, Canada, women visitors have a special opportunity to learn more about themselves through an interpretation of their interactions with the horses. Horses don’t understand words, but they react to body language and tone of the voice. Specialist Nancy Lowery spends time with visitors explaining how their interactions with horses can give them insight into how they act and might therefore be perceived in other aspects of their lives.

“The women get together and really bond,” says Mac Makenny, owner and operator of Homeplace Ranch. “They ask questions like ‘why do you think the horse pulled away from you?’ Some of the women who did this had such a profound experience they were on the verge of tears. It’s very personal, insightful and cleansing. They really learn a lot about themselves.”

For more information visit www.guestranch.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Looking for the Perfect Summer Travel Destination?


(ARA) – Summer is quickly approaching and now is the time to begin planning summer vacations. With budgets tight, many Americans are staying closer to home this year. In fact, it’s predicted the hottest trend in travel this summer will be “staycations” – short getaways within driving distance or a quick flight from home.

While this trend may be bad news for harder-to-reach destinations such as Europe and Asia, it’s expected to be a boon for the hotels and attractions in tourist-friendly U.S. destinations like Myrtle Beach, S.C.

“While Americans may be tightening the reigns on their vacation plans this year, there’s no need to sacrifice visiting a great resort destination with plenty of options for the whole family,” says Brad Dean, CEO of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. “Myrtle Beach offers a wide variety of activities, attractions, hotel accommodations, restaurants, shopping, golf courses and miles of beach. Plus, we’re an easy commute from many U.S. markets.”

Whether visiting Myrtle Beach or another destination, here are some travel tips that “stay-cationers” should keep in mind:

1. Determine Your Timeframe
Most of us only get two weeks of vacation. Smart staycationers stretch that time by taking one or two days before or after a work holiday – like Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day. If you have five days or less for your staycation, look for a destination that’s a few hours drive from home, or one that can be reached via a convenient, nonstop flight.

2. Select a Convenient Destination Jam-packed with Exciting Activities
The key to planning a fun and memorable vacation is to make sure there will be activities everyone will enjoy. Before booking your hotel, ask what amenities are offered. If you have kids, it’s good to ask if there’s a pool and game room they can enjoy. You should also ask about the recreational activities available in the area, such as golf courses and tennis courts, and what attractions are nearby.

Also, be sure to do your research and take advantage of special summer packages and deals to save money and get the most out of your staycation experience.

3. Organize Transportation Details
If you’ll be driving to your staycation location, have your vehicle checked out before hitting the road. Pay close attention to tires and brakes, and ensure all fluids – especially windshield wiper fluid – are at peak levels. If you want to boost your trip’s “green” quotient and save on fuel, consider renting a hybrid or other gas-sipping model.

If you’re flying, plan to depart from a smaller airport with less air traffic to avoid delays and general airport congestion.  

“As our society becomes increasingly pressed for time, the staycation will really become the getaway of choice for many people looking for the most enjoyment, best value for their dollar and most convenient travel options,” says Dean.

To learn more about a Myrtle Beach staycation, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent