The Frugal Girls » Travel

FREE Alaska Travel Guide!

Heidi — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:30:21 +0000

Yep ~ I know it’s chilly out, but if you’re dreaming of a getaway, planning your next vacation, or just want to learn more about Alaska… go request your FREE Alaska Travel Guide!

This picture definitely makes we want to visit Alaska ~ have you ever been??

FREE Legoland Admission for California and Florida Teachers!

Heidi — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:50:06 +0000

If you’re a teacher in Florida or California, you can score FREE Legoland Admission in 2012!

Florida Legoland Teacher Admission {one year of free admission}

California Legoland Teacher Admission {1 Free Day + Family and Friends discount available. FREE Admission Dates are February 4-5, March 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, April 21-22, 28-29 and May 5-6, 19-20}

Not a teacher in Florida, or California?? Share this with your friends who are!

FREE Admission to Six Flags for Homeschool Students + School Classrooms + Teachers! {within 250 miles}

Heidi — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:30:59 +0000

If you’re a Home School Educator or Teacher with a classroom {located within 250 miles of a participating Six Flags Park}, both you… and your kids Grades K – 6 can each score a FREE Ticket to Six Flags when they complete 6 hours of recreational reading!

Here’s more information:

Free Six Flags Admission for Homeschool Students + Free Ticket for Homeschool Teacher

Free Six Flags Admission for Classroom Students + Free Ticket for Teacher

{all submissions must be received by 3/1/12}

Not a Teacher or Home School Educator?? Then share this with your friends who are!

Sea World Teacher Pass for 2012! {FREE or BOGO Admission!}

Heidi — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:50:40 +0000

If you’re a teacher in FL, CA, or TX, you can score FREE or BOGO Admission to Sea World in 2012!

Texas Sea World Free Teacher Admission {register by 6/30}
Florida Sea World Free Teacher Admission
California Sea World Buy 1, Get 1 Free Teacher Admission {register by 4/30}

Not a teacher in Florida, Texas, or California?? Share this with your friends who are!

Disneyland and Disney World Military Discount for 2012!

Heidi — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:30:01 +0000

If you’re in the military and are looking for a fun vacation… take advantage of the Disneyland and Disney World Military Discount for 2012!

Through 9/30/12, all Active & Retired U.S. Military Personnel {including U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists} or their spouses, can purchase drastically discounted Disney Military Discount tickets!

Be sure to share this amazing deal with everyone you know who can take advantage of it!

Then… go request your FREE Disney Vacation Planning DVD!

10 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars!

Heidi — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:10:31 +0000

Planning {or dreaming of} a getaway?? Check out these tips on how to save money on rental cars!

Here are some ways YOU can save $$ on your next car rental:

Groupon ~ Current Deal: Pay $20 for $40 in Avis Car Rental credit!

Entertainment Book – Check your Entertainment Book’s travel section for Car Rental Coupons! In my current Entertainment Book, I found car rental discount coupons for Budget, Avis, Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz & National!

Costco Travel {Costco membership required} – receive discounted car rentals through Alamo, Avis, Budget & Enterprise! {On our recent trip up to Seattle, we rented a Nissan Altima through Alamo for 11 days for just $233 using Costco Travel!}

AAA {AAA membership required} – Save 5% – 20% on Hertz Rentals with AAA.

Employer Discounts – Check with your employer {or your hubby’s employer}, to see if you qualify for any employer discounts. When my hubby worked at Boeing, he was able to score some sweet deals when renting through National!

Emailed Coupons – Sign up online for your favorite car rental company’s emails, and you’ll receive periodic coupons and deals delivered to your inbox! Some include: Alamo Insiders {click on ‘Alamo Insiders’ tab at the top}, Budget Car Rental {select ‘Specials’ then ‘e-mail’ to sign up}, Enterprise Email Updates, etc.

Online Specials or Last Minute Deals – Many car rental companies will have a special tab or page with their designated current ‘online’ specials or last minute deals. Check out current and last-minute specials at Avis Car Rentals, National, etc.

Air Miles – If you accrue air miles, you may be able to cash them in for a car rental! Check with your current program for more details and information.

Preferred Customer or Frequent Renter Clubs ~ Many companies offer Preferred Customer or Frequent Renter Clubs which may score you some additional savings or perks! {examples = Hertz 1, National Emerald Club, etc.}

Military Discounts – If you are in the military, be sure to ask if you’re eligible for a military discount! It never hurts to ask! You can also check out the Ace Rent-a-Car 15% off Military Discount!

See Also:
More Frugal Travel Tips + Deals!

Got a car rental or travel tip??

Leave a comment and share!

FREE Entrance to 100+ National Parks! {1/14 – 1/16 + more 2012 dates}

Heidi — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:50:44 +0000

When was the last time you visited a National Park?

Mark your calendars… you can get FREE Admission to 100+ National Parks several times throughout the year!

{my hubby took this hiking the Grand Canyon on Free Admission Day back in April!}

In 2012, there will be a few National Park Free Entrance Days!!

January 14th – 16th
April 21st – 29th
June 9th
September 29th
November 10th – 12th

Go here for more information. A list of participating parks can be found here.

{don’t forget… U.S. disabled residents ~ including disabled veterans ~ can get in free year round! Go here for more details.}

What National Parks have YOU enjoyed visiting??

Here are some of my favorites…

Zion Canyon National Park ~ Utah

Olympic National Park {Hurricane Ridge} ~ Washington

The Grand Canyon ~ Arizona

Saguaro National Park ~ Arizona

What is your favorite National Park??

Leave a comment & share!

FREE Disney Vacation Planning DVD! {+ Tips to Save BIG at Disney Parks!}

Heidi — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:42:36 +0000

{I L.O.V.E. Autopia!}

Planning {or dreaming of} a Disney Vacation?? Request your FREE Disney Vacation Planning DVD!

I just requested mine! Get yours here…

FREE Admission to Museums for Bank of America Card Holders!

Heidi — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:30:20 +0000

On the hunt for FREE Family Weekend Activities?

Bank of America is offering FREE Admission to Museums for all Bank of America Card Holders the first full weekend of each month!

Find a list of participating museums here.

Thanks to frugal friend Tina for sharing!

FREE GasBuddy iPhone & Android App!

Heidi — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:20:52 +0000

Driving somewhere fun this weekend?

Find cheap gas with the handy GasBuddy iPhone App or GasBuddy Android App!

With a single tap, you can locate gas stations near you and see their current gas prices.

{Go Here and search for ‘GasBuddy’ to get your FREE GasBuddy iPhone App}

A Simple Summer Souvenir {beach in a jar}

Heidi — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:30:08 +0000

{Beach in a Jar}

Sometimes the best souvenirs are the simple ones!

As you know… I love the beach! Earlier this year, we were able to use some free air miles to go on a trip to Washington D.C. and North Carolina! {score!}

We had never been to North Carolina before, and the beaches were amazing… and the water was so warm… and the big jelly fish was so bad! Yep ~ he stung me. {ouchie!}

Now, my boys wanted a beachy souvenir, but were having a hard time paying the big bucks for the little souvenirs at the beach shops. So… we ended up filling 2 empty water bottles full of sand, loading up our favorite sea shell finds, and making the ‘Beach in a Jar’ when we got home {using old mason jars from spaghetti sauce and a little twine wrapped around the lid}

It was so simple and frugal, and turned out to be their favorite souvenirs from the trip!

Now we’ll never have to forget this beautiful memory….

{Outer Banks, North Carolina}

What are some fun or thrifty ways you preserve your special memories??

Leave a comment & share!

Where Did My Suitcase Go??

Heidi — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:20:08 +0000

Our family loves to travel, and we’ve got the perfect little suitcases that we take along with us! One problem though… they’re black… and average in size… and just so happen to look a whole lot like everyone else’s little black suitcases!

Yes… I’ve even had business men grab my ever-so-common looking suitcase, and start strolling off with it. {uh-oh!}

If you’ve got some pretty standard looking suitcases, too… here’s an easy-peasy way to make your suitcases stand out from the crowd!

Before taking off on our trip to D.C. and North Carolina this year, I headed to Wal-Mart and looked for the biggest, brightest spool of ribbon. Here’s what I came home with… bright yellow polka dot ribbon!

I really wanted pink, but I live in a man’s world {hubby and 2 boys}, and aim to please! Actually… I really wanted to make sure my guys had no excuse for not wanting to pull their own suitcases, too!

Big, bright ribbon is a simple {and frugal} way to mark your suitcases, and make sure they stand out from the crowd! {you can also quickly run a lighter along the ribbon edges after you cut them, to avoid ribbon fray ~ no burning your fingers or catching your suitcase on fire though, mm-kay?}

Got a travel tip?? Or… have you ever ‘lost’ your luggage?

Leave a comment & share!

FREE Admission to Houston Zoo for Military + Families!

Heidi — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:00:48 +0000

All active duty military personnel and their families can get FREE Admission to the Houston Zoo!

FREE Admission valid for up to 5 Free Tickets: 2 adults & 3 children.

Go here for more information on this fabulous military discount!

Then… be sure to share this amazing deal with everyone you know who can take advantage of it!

{thanks to frugal friend Lana for sharing!}

Ask Your Frugal Friends: What Are Your Fun & Frugal Camping Tips??

Heidi — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:00:26 +0000

I’ve received several questions from fellow Frugal Girls who are interested in starting to camp with their families.

Camping is a great way to save $$ on a vacation, and trust me ~ the memories are unforgettable!

I rarely camped before I met my hubby, but our first vacation after our honeymoon was… camping. Then we had a sweet baby boy, and then we had another sweet baby boy! So… I live in a man’s world, and my men love to camp! So… it’s a-camping-we-shall-go! Plus… it’s just not every day that you can have a scooter race through the woods… in your pajamas!

{as always ~ thanks in advance for all of the great tips you share!}

So… what works for you??

Do you have any tips for someone who’s a first-time camper?

Or any fun camping meal ideas, activities or games, ways to save $$ on gear, what gear to take… or not to take, etc??

Leave a comment & share!

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email at: frugalgirls@gmail.com ~ or ask away on Facebook!}

Ask Your Frugal Friends: How do You Keep Your Kids Entertained… on a Road Trip??

Heidi — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:00:17 +0000

I received the following question from frugal friend Mariann…

“We will soon be taking a 9 hour car trip with my 3 year old daughter. Other than driving at night, and some videos, does anyone have ideas on keeping her {and us!} happy and entertained??”

{as always ~ thanks in advance for all of the great tips you share!}

So… what works for you??

How do YOU keep your kiddos entertained on a road trip?

Do you have any ideas of games to play, goodies to pack, etc??

Leave a comment & share!

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email at: frugalgirls@gmail.com ~ or ask away on Facebook!}

National Parks Disabled Pass = FREE Admission for Disabled Citizens & Veterans!

Heidi — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 01:00:06 +0000

Did you know that all U.S. Disabled Residents {including Disabled Veterans} can get FREE Admission to National Parks year round?

Go here for more information on the ‘Access Pass‘.

Thanks to frugal friend Kim for sharing!!

Our Happy Day at the Happiest Place on Earth! {yep… Disneyland!}

Heidi — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:00:07 +0000

As you know, our family recently headed to California to spend a happy day at a very happy place… yep, you guessed it ~ Disneyland!

We had such a fun day, and made some wonderful & silly family memories!

Prior to heading to Disneyland, I read {and read, and then re-read} all of the fabulous ‘Ways to Save Money at Disneyland and Disneyworld‘ ~ you frugal girls are the best!!

We started the day off with Free Admission to Disneyland ~ you can’t beat 4 Free Tickets!

Being that we went in late September {and on a weekday} we were completely spoiled with fantastic weather and 10-15 minute lines for many of the rides!

We packed in water bottles and snacks that we had picked up for next to nothing with CVS deals. This helped us avoid all of the costly concession stands.

Although, at one point, I did splurge and get a white chocolate mocha! And yes… that was worth every penny!

We introduced the boys to the thrill of Space Mountain… deep down, I’m pretty sure he’s smiling!

After I saw how my boys drove at Autopia, I’ve decided they’re so not allowed to get driver’s licenses… as in ever! Now, here’s a responsible driver…

At lunchtime, we walked over to ‘Downtown Disney’, and ate at The House of Blues. The portions were huge, the food was delish… and the final price was great!

Before we left on our trip, we purchased a $25 gift certificate to The House of Blues for just $3.00 on Restaurant.com!!

After lunch, we popped into the Lego Store! They’ve got a giraffe made of legos, that is seriously tall…

I even spotted our friend Woody there… howdy, partner!

After our Lego Store stop, we headed back to Disneyland for some more rides.

Before the day was over, we managed to also ride the Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, and Pirates… all twice! Speaking of pirates, look at this scary little pirate boy I picked up… {he looked strikingly similar to my little boy!} He’s like a son to us now…

The line to Big Thunder Mountain was around 5 minutes long. So we rode it… then rode it again… then rode it again… then rode it again! {that short line was way too tempting!}

My 8 year old got just a wee bit nervous once he realized there was no one driving the train! Oopsy!

When it started to get dark, I pulled out my stash of glow-in-the-dark bracelets from my purse. Yes ~ the boys were thrilled at the surprise, because they’d been getting tempted by all of the glowing {and not-so-thrifty} doo-dads! Once they had their glowing bracelets on, they forgot all about the other ones for sale.

Why yes… yes, I do love the Dollar Tree!

It was truly a fantastic family day, and with all of the pictures we took… I’m off to take advantage of all these great Photo Freebies & Deals!

I honestly can’t thank you frugal friends enough for sharing all of your creative tips on ‘Ways to Save Money at Disneyland‘ ~ they were a tremendous help!! You’re the BEST!

So… after we got home, my 8 year old was running in the backyard and somehow managed to break off half of his front tooth ~ yes, a permanent one! But… that’s another story!

{nope ~ never a dull moment!}

Ask Your Frugal Friends: How Do You Save $$ on Vacation?

Heidi — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:00:21 +0000

Do you have a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email or ask away on Facebook!

*******************************************************

I received the following question from frugal friend Danielle on Facebook.

Let’s help her out, and share some ideas!

“How do you save money on vacations? Where do you find the best travel deals??”

So… what works for you??

Did you find ways to cut costs and save $$ on your vacation this summer?

Do you have any tips to share?

Leave a comment, and let us know how YOU save on trips!

How Do YOU Save Money at Disneyland or Disneyworld??

Heidi — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:22:29 +0000

Do you remember when I told you how to earn Free Disneyland or Disneyworld Tickets at the beginning of this year?

Well… guess what ~ next month our family is headed to Disneyland with FREE Tickets!! {Yay!}

I can hardly wait!! But… I need your help!

You see, I haven’ been for several years… so here’s my question for you:

How Do YOU Save Money at Disneyland or Disneyworld??

Leave a comment and share your tips for stretching your dollars at Disney Parks…