In these tumultuous economic times, vacations seem like a luxury that many families can’t afford. But going on vacation doesn’t have to mean blowing the family budget. In fact, taking some time off to be together can be really good for everyone. The following are some vacation money-saving tips that will help you to have a great time while still economizing.

Source: http://frugalfamilytips.com/tag/traveling/

Set a Budget

The first and foremost step is to set a clear budget and stick to it. Rather than be vague about what expenses will be, figure out how much money you can afford to spend total. Then sit down and write out a list of what you’ll be spending money on. Set a food budget, activity budget, gifts (if necessary).
This way you’ll see what the actual monetary outlay is likely to be, and figure out ways you can save on the trip. It will also show you just what you need to make over your ordinary day to day expenses to afford the trip at whatever style level you choose.

Though it would be ideal to spend only cash on a trip, credit cards provide an added level of protection and security. You might even want to incorporate use of a travel oriented credit card such as the Aeroplan Plus Gold Card into your trip. This type of card offers all sorts of travel perks and advantages like sky miles, breakdown assistance, and various travel related types of insurance, so using them is actually a good idea when taking a vacation.

Book Hotels in Advance

Booking hotels is advance is a good way to save on accommodations. You can actually ask the hotel clerk how much you stand to save by booking in advance and then compare various hotels to see which ones are the most competitive in this regard. Try to choose hotels that reward you the most for good early planning.

Get Airline Tickets in Advance

Airline tickets are another area where advance booking can mean a much cheaper rate. There are a plethora of websites online that give you rate comparisons on various airlines and flights. These sites will give you exact rates and saving possible for given booking dates so they are a great way to compare advance flight booking rates and savings.

Consider Off Season Travel

Off season travel is always cheaper than peak season. This usually means the late fall, winter, or early spring (for locations that are reasonably cold at those times) and times not very close to the holidays. Consider planning trips for these times since they can often make for fine vacations that are also more cost effective.

Consider Camping

If camping is something you enjoy you can save a lot of money by camping rather than staying in hotels. This also gets you in touch with the outdoors and gives you a real feel for the flora and fauna of whatever locations you’re visiting. Consider this as an option if outdoor living is something you feel comfortable with. Even if you don’t there’s always a first time, so maybe you should give it a try!

As adults boaters, we learn a great deal about safety on the way to earning our boat license. What we often don’t learn, however, is how to share these skills with our children. This can be tricky business because kids tend not to learn well when they’re disinterested and when we overload them. The key then is to seize their attention and to expose them to the information in bite-sized chunks.

Image Source: http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/news/last-call-for-kids-safety-program-72624.aspx

Here are a series of tips that should help:

Tip #1: Teach the kids to swim, and make sure they have ocean experience. Swimming in the ocean is a very different experience, and those with pool-only practice may freeze up in an emergency.

Tip #2: Once the children know how to swim, introduce them to personal flotation devices (PFDs), and explain to them why a PFD is so important. Stress the importance of wearing a PFD at all times, and give them experience wearing the PFD in and out of the water before their first boat trip.

Tip #3: Don’t wait until the first time on the water. Acclimate kids to your boat while you have it on the trailer parked at your house. Make a game out of understanding the terminology, safety locations, danger zones and so forth.

Tip #4: Ensure that they understand the risk of horseplay while on the water, and a great way to avoid this type of behaviour is to give children seated responsibilities while you are driving. If they are having fun and feel as if they are doing something important, they will continue to focus on that activity.

Tip #5: Stress the importance of sitting at all times while the boat is in motion. Standing is only OK when the boat is stopped, and stress that it is never all right to sit or stand on the sides of the boat.

Tip #6: Expose children to all of the equipment on board, and let them learn how to operate it. Begin teaching children how to operate and drive the boat at a very young age. This can prove invaluable in an emergency, and the safest boaters are self-reliant boaters.

Tip #7: However, stress that it is never OK to use that equipment without adult supervision unless there is an emergency. It also important to be strict about your rules, so if the child breaks them, they should lose boating privileges.

Tip #8: While on the boat, always set a good example. Don’t let kids be around adults who don’t take the experience seriously. Keep your eyes on them at all times, and consider using a safety harness for particularly young children who may stray on larger boats.

So we all know that I’m the adventurous one - and PB - well - he is PB - he doesn’t change and you young gals out there who think that they can change their men - forget it! they never change - you just go with the flow if you want the relationship to work (lesson #1 to #100). Anyhow lets come back to me being the adventurous one (blowing my own trumpet again) - but when the best friends said that they wanted to go see the blue grass festival this summer - I was all for it. They were bringing their families in their motor home aka RV and I wanted to do it too - after all, how can one go wrong with so many friends on the road together right? But being the paranoid one - I also want PB to check out on the 5th wheel warranty for our trailer - since we don’t have an RV - we thought we should borrow the trailer from PB’s uncle - who goes camping all the time. But I wanted to make sure that we were covered on the road - you never know what might happen right? so yes - as soon as we find out more about our trailer’s warranty - I think we are all set to go. Very excited that we don’t need to actually drive the RV but bring our SUV and the trailer along - that’s way easier. Blue grass festival here we come!

So we just got back from our mini - vacation to the city - and boy! was it a worrisome vacation. Our friend said I’m a worrywart but how can I not be - when the car was having trouble and our safety was in question. I was so looking forward to this mini-vacation because it had been 6 months since I had gone up to the city to savor my Japanese food and dim sum. And even though I did get to eat one meal sit down dinner at a Japanese restaurant and some dim sum - I know that PB wasn’t really enjoying it - nor was Chloe - because all the time during our mini-vacation - she said she wanted fish and chips *slap forehead*. We also lost some shopping time because we were out searching for a garage to look at our car - and our hotel room wasn’t the best at first but the hotel staff were excellent and tried their best to make our stay a great one. I had wanted to stay for another day - to get the car looked at first and also to get some more shopping done - but in the end - PB decided to come back on the schedule date *sigh*. So I rushed to get a few things done and get as much chinese food as I can get and then came back. All the way - praying for journey mercy from God. What a vacation!

I told PB that when my birthday comes - I want to celebrate it in Halifax - although after visiting www.carolinadesigns.com, I would very much like to spend my birthday in North Carolina instead - with the beach and the son. I know it’s going to be warmer in North Carolina and my best friend lived there - but because we own our own business - me being only owner by association, we can’t just close shop and leave. So yes ! we do have travel plans in the near future for my birthday and as much as I would like to fly on an airplane - that would just have to wait for a bit longer. For those who’ve never been to North Carolina - you have to visit it sometime and if we did go - we are going to get one of those vacation homes instead of staying in a hotel. So much cheaper and a lot more convenient if you want to cook or do your laundry int he meantime. But for this birthday trip, I’m going to visit Annie’s Cafe in Halifax - so stay tuned - while i tell you about this little cafe in Queens Street.

We are definitely overdue for a holiday- it has been years since we had a real vacation. For years we refused to go anywhere because Chloe was so young, but I do miss those days when I was living in Glasgow and traveling with friends and family. If we do go for a holiday soon we are bringing some friends and family along, that way Chloe who’s currently 7 will have more people to play with. And of course her grandparents and cousins to babysit her when PB and I want to do a little exploring on our own. Plus holiday cottages are a lot less expensive when you have so many people going on a trip with you to share the lodging cost.

I would love to travel home to Asia, but to do that the airfare alone would cost us at least $10K just for economy class. Therefore going to UK or Europe would be a lot less expensive and more feasible - plus there is a lot to see in both places. Many years ago you needed to go to a travel agent to find the right accommodations for a party of 6 - 12, but in this age and time you can book directly for villas in Furteventura with just a click on the computer. That means we are actually saving money without having to pay an agent to make the arrangements - pretty easy right?

I find renting a villa to be a lot more private than renting a hotel since many have their own private pool and you can swim or do anything you want by the pool without worrying about strangers looking on. Plus if you have kids you will understand that kids can get really loud when they are playing in the pool, therefore I find holiday cottages and villas a more convenient overall experience and definitely better value for money.

I’ve been asked many a times - how do one get thru’ custom and get your 6 months chop on your passport without any trouble. So when i received an email this morning from a fellow Singaporean - i decided to write it out here instead. First of all, don’t go to the embassy and tell them you are staying for 6 months - as soon as you do that - they might send in the information to Canadian custom to look out for you ( i think they are required by law to do so). Canadian custom frown upon people who are planning to stay this long. But having said that Canadian custom are not evil - they are just doing their job and don’t want over stayers and people who intend to stay in Canada illegally or work here illegally.

So here is what you do - if you want to enter into Canada without any problems and be granted a 6 months visit legally. You have to have enough cash with you - you have to tell them you have family and friends and a job waiting for you back home. You have to have a return ticket - showing when you are going home - but note - that you should not have your air ticket printing it 6 months from your date of arrival. Always buy a ticket that allows you to change your date of flight - that way - you can book for 2 months from date of arrival and then change it when you arrive and have gotten your 6 months visa.

If possible - bring a business card with you if you are working - if you are still in school - make sure you have school papers showing when you are supposed to be back for school. The whole idea is to show them that you have no intention of staying longer than you should - and that you are just here for a visit and sightseeing around Canada. And by the way - if you are coming to Canada in February - it is the coldest month here - make sure you are dressed warmly. Do not spend a lot of money buying winter clothes in Singapore - safe your money and buy one when you arrive - in the meantime - just buy something as warm as you can in Singapore. I hope the above helps - and like I said before - i never had any trouble with immigration Canada - and you shouldn’t too - because Immigration Canada is not out to get you - they are only out to get those who have ill intentions.

Good hotel rates and good weather = to a quick trip up to the city. Yes ! it was last minute decision - but we saw some good hotel rates for downtown halifax - and the weather was not too cold - so we packed and headed up to the city for 2 days and 1 night. Short notice - but I had to get up and get my sushi, sashimi and Asian groceries. Woohoo!!

Many years ago - before coming to Canada - I would be in search for a girlfriend to go for trips to the city - for shopping or just a short vacation, but none to be found - because they were either too busy - or they had to bring along their boyfriends. Now in Canada - I had never gone out with my girlfriends - because I have Chloe and a spouse - so it’s different. So when a girlfriend who just got her new car asked if I wanted to do a day trip with her to the city - I jumped at the chance. Her car insurance will be finalized within the next day and she is all set to make her maiden trip with her new car to the city.

I’m kinda excited because I never go anywhere without PB for the last 11 yrs - so a day trip by car is a great way to start becoming independent again. Plus I’m sure PB can handle both the store and Chloe for a day - maybe will ask Grammie to come help, I’m pretty excited actually - hahah! silly me eh. For someone who had traveled the world for work - this to some may be amusing - but yes ! it’s the first time I’m going outta the town without PB or Chloe.

I asked PB - the other day - why do you think people migrate? is it because they think it’s better quality of life? or a change of life? or is it love? or better future - as they call it - as in better work environment and better opportunity? I’ve often been emailed by people from all over the world asking about the quality of life in Canada and how do one get migrated to Canada? Can you find jobs easily?

These are just a few questions I’ve been asked pretty often - what they also failed to ask is the weather, the food! the people acceptance of someone from another country. I too, never thought about this - when I first arrived in Canada. For me - it’s all in the name of love - after having Chloe - i didn’t feel it was right - to move her back to Singapore - because she has grandparents and extended family here. I am hoping to give her a “real” family - alas, we work too much and so does her grandparents. The extended family we rarely see - nor keep in touch - because they have their own life and so do we. I don’t have many friends here and those that I’ve come to call friends - are actually customers of the store that turned into friends. I can’t just up and take a public transport here for a quarter and head for the mall - because public transport is only one bus - and it cost like $2 to take a ride to designated spots. Cab rides are expensive - and even if it was a 5 minutes ride - it would cost me $6.50 - which I’m too el cheapo to pay. So I wait for PB to be available to send me to the mall - which is usually in a hurry to get the necessities.

We haven’t gone to the city for months now - because the store is so busy - and to think of going home - without some trustworthy help - is almost impossible. The winter is long here - and if you are thinking of looking for a job here - that might be better than home - you have to really think long and hard. Depending on where you are from - yes ! some jobs could be better - but then you are also giving up on your food and all sorts of entertainment that you can get cheap back home. There are pros and cons of course in everything - the grass is not always greener on the other side. My advice to anyone who wants to migrate - is to make sure you can get the kind of food you need in the province you are staying in. Be prepared to wait for a job as long as a year - and make sure you have family and friends around you or nearby. Unlike myself, I have no one to turn to - except PB - when I was ill or needed help with Chloe. So yes! having Asian family and friends nearby is very important - and so is the food.

We have been hearing a lot about road accidents of late - and how Texas truck accident lawyer helped some of victims get compensated for their damages. Any accidents is hard on victims - who incidentally may lose their ability to work again - or lose their property or car - so yes - a good accident lawyer is important. I, too think that money cannot compensate everything - but one most definitely need to make the responsible party accountable. It would be sad to see someone get away for hurting another - even if it was not by choice. So yes! if you have a road accident - make sure you get the right lawyers to help and nope not all lawyers are equal.

Well, the fall is here - the weather is getting colder in this small little town and Chloe had been in school for almost 3 weeks now. She settled into school this year - a lot quicker than we expected. In fact, this year - we see more changes in my little princess - no more teddy at school and no more sippy cup and no more fussing about school.

While Chloe is settling into school - we all got sick last week - and with no help at the store - and Chloe’s grammie couldn’t take her on Saturdays - it was definitely hard on us - but as usual - we survived and feel a lot better now. I also took a bad fall at the store last week - while playing with Chloe - because I didn’t wanna leave her to play on her own for too long. So because of the fall - I couldn’t do very much - knees with rug burn and the entire hand from shoulder to wrist all bruised and unable to do much either - but we survived the week.

The store had been busy - and people are already shopping for Christmas - and us - we are making the most of our new routines and new school year but most importantly - we continue to focus on our health and and my fitness routine. Also, I’ve come to a new resolution and will think first for myself and Chloe before any other things - from this day on - I will strive to do one thing - and that is to bring Chloe and myself home to visit family and friends. Soon everyone - soon - I will be able to travel - on my own with Chloe and go home for a much needed break.

Certainly not easy - and I’m sure every mom out there can agree with me. But today - I went for a regular check up with my family doctor - and she too agree that I have to take time to take care of myself and my needs. She said I should go and take a short break - I agreed with her totally - didn’t do nothing this summer - because PB was too busy with the store. 11 yrs in Canada and when i left my watch at the store last night - i realized the rest of it 4 of them that i have - all didn’t have working batteries. If I were home - it would certainly have been different - i could bring it to a watch store and get them replaced. Here I have to depend on PB to get the batteries and do it for me - no watch store here *sigh*. So yes! I believe my health problems stems from not being able to do thing for myself and being efficient. Time to make some changes - and first step already been taken - losing weight and eating right. The next a short vacation - soon. Stay tuned !

U2 is coming to Toronto !!! yes ! you heard me right! Ahhh..! talking about U2 brings back so many good memories. Yes ! I grew up listening to U2! and yes ! they have been around for a long time - 30 yrs. I was in my teens too when they started the band. Irish guys and so handsome ! we all went ga-ga over all of them. So who do I liked? Bono of course!! and he still looks so good now - at 50. Wished they were coming to Halifax in November instead of Toronto but for those who are in Toronto and want some U2 tickets, make sure get yours really early - coz’ i hear they are sold out on every concert. Dreamy, dreamy I am now - and plotting to get to Toronto if I can in November - afterall, you don’t get to go for U2 concerts every other month eh. And I leave you with this you-tube of one of their many good songs - bringing you back to yesteryear.

So Canada’s Day is over and we are waiting for Seafest 2010 to begin - which is in the middle of this month. So far the weather had been hot and humid and doing my nuphedragen reviews can take a while because with the heat - i just can’t concentrate much. But yes - Chloe starts summer camp in a few days - and we can only hope that she wants to go there after the first day. You see - previous years - she was afraid - she needed to bring her babysitter a long - which defeats the purpose of training her to be more independent.

This year will be the first summer - we don’t have a babysitter - and yes - we are grateful for all the years our sitter was with us - 4.5 yrs - but Chloe had grown so much 6.5 yrs old now and she really needs to be independent - plus i cannot afford the drama-rama. So yes ! it worked out pretty good when the sitter asked for her separation papers last year in October - when we didn’t have much hours to give her.

Has it been different without the help? Yes - but not very much - because the sitter is always with us - except for nights she brings Chloe home for a few hours to feed her but we managed for the last 8 months and we did pretty good but that’s not to say we are not grateful for the sitter’s help for the last 6 yrs. But it all worked out really good - as you can see - Chloe is a lot more independent and we get to save a bit of money - and in return I don’t need to do so much work online. So yes! have a great summer everyone! if you have a babysitter - good for you - if not - it’s still good.

As you all know - i’m long overdue home - and even if i don’t go home - i need to go renew my passport in Toronto or Vancouver at the latest next summer. So we all know how expensive flights are even for a kid - and they pay full price after they turn 2 or 3 yrs old. So when Chloe was playing with her boxes - we had this brilliant idea to pack her up in a fedex box and ship her home - now that would be really cheap - muahhahah!! nah .. we were joking. But yes, to travel such a long haul with a kid can be quite daunting - especially one that doesn’t wanna go on an airplane.

But if we could ship her this way back to Singapore - i’m pretty sure - her godma in Singapore would be pleased - hahaha!! So we are gonna try a short trip this summer either to Toronto or Portland, Maine - that way we can ease her into flying and then she will know that after her vacation - she can come back home because her protest was - she didn’t wanna leave home. She thinks that if we go back to Singapore - we won’t be coming back to Canada.

As many of you know we don’t get to go up the city often - that’s because we own our own business and don’t have the help that we want to entrust the business to - to go away for a week or two. So when we do get a chance - everything has to be properly planned and we have to make the fullest outta the trip as much as possible.

This trip to the city was a fruitful one - we only left on Sunday - but had planned to leave on Saturday - but the spouse - well - he didn’t say it in so much words but i don’t think he liked the store to be closed for too long - hahah! so we only left on Sunday - and arrived on Sunday afternoon. Even though we did a lot - i wished we had more time because the hotel we were at - was right smack in the middle of town - and i would have done more shopping. But it was a good trip - we found new places we would liked to go back to eat and new asian grocery store! yay!! And this trip - chloe was really awesome - and on the way home - she slept all the way home. She even got to eat a few decent meals in the city - so i’m pleased. More on my trip - on another posts - stay tune for them.

The weather still isn’t that bad for us here .. right now.. but come January and February.. where we are hit worst during the winter months that’s when everyone in Canada wants to get outta the cold .. for some warmth and sun. Like any smart women, we try to get the best vacation deal for the entire family. And what better deals than the All inclusive family vacations.

Lovely beaches and gourmet food and all kinds of water sports - stress free time for yourself and your entire family. Choose to have candle-light dinners for 2 .. or go with the entire family for bbqs and grills. They have so much to offer.. sometimes, i wished we had more time on the island. Check it out yourself.

So we have great plans - or so we thought - our plans included many activities and lots of sightseeing. It even involved getting some horse supplements on the way home. But lo and behold, THE KID DONCH WANNA WALK! I never thought this was gonna happen to us - some other kids but never us .. of course, but expect the unexpected. Moment of truth and revelation time! THE KID DONCH WANNA WALK !

There was so much to see at the Halifax Waterfront during the summer but the kid continued whining and wanted to be carried. It was too hot !! the wind was too cold!!! How long more do we have to walk - she would continue asking. Is it normal..??? of course it is..!! she is afterall a kid. I just burst your bubbles didn’t i ..?? about going on vacation with your 5.5 yrs old.. or even 6 yrs old. I bet when she is 9 .. we might still have the same problems. But nevermind, this time we were ill-prepared.. but the next trip.. we have a plan.. muahahahhaha!!!!

No .. no..!! we are not leaving her behind .. that’s for sure.. i can’t lived without her - and she won’t let us go .. that’s for sure. I would be too sad.. to even enjoy my vacation. So what is my plans..??

I am getting a stroller or a wagon with us for the vacation ..!!!! yes.. and if she whines about walking .. we are gonna put her in there.. with lots of sunscreen.. so that we can enjoy our walk.. and sightseeing.

And to make sure.. that there is a play place for her to spend time at .. so that she can get some exercise as well.. and be happy to explore and play with other kids.

She’s happy now.. and so will we .. you think..?? i think it might go better than our last trip. One can always plan .. and hope for the best eh..?? but this time.. i have to remember to bring our sunscreen.