Simply Budgeted

Preparing your teen for their very first road trip

May 14, 2013 By Beth 1 Comment

Post graduation is an exciting time for your teen, and they’re probably going to want to have one final taste of freedom before joining the world of us grownups! If your teen is planning their very first road trip, you’ll probably have your reservations. Whether they’re going away with a big group or a couple of friends, they’ll have a lot to prepare before they set off. If you’ll be the one doing most of the preparation, though, this guide from PassSmart is designed to help you get them, and yourself, ready for the adventure!

Who’s driving?

Credit edenmorrison at Flickr.

Depending on how big the group is, they’ll need to decide on designated drivers and make sure everyone who is planning to drive is insured on the vehicle. It’s important to make sure that more than one or two people going can drive as each driver will need enough resting time between getting behind the wheel.

What they’re driving is another question you should ask. Although we’d all love to be cruising down route 66 in our vintage, classic car, it’s probably not the most sensible of ideas. Make sure the vehicle they’ll be traveling in is reliable and not likely to leave them stranded at the side of the road. This will give you peace of mind and will ensure their journey runs smoothly.

Money saving tips

There’s no doubt that a road trip can be expensive if you don’t budget for it. Make sure your teen has got some money saving tips up their sleeve before they set off, and (hopefully) they won’t overspend whilst they’re away.

Eco-driving

Eco-friendly driving is one of the easiest ways to save fuel. Teach them some simple eco-driving tips like gentle acceleration and braking, and they’ll have to fill up on gas much less frequently.

Eating in

One of the best ways to save money on a road trip is by cutting down on eating out. Depending on how long they’re going for and where they’re going, you might be able to help them pack some supplies. Pick non-perishables so they can carry them in the car with them, making the temptation to dine out much easier to ignore!

Get the App

There are loads of apps out there which are designed to make driving long distances and exploring new places much easier. We know it’s pretty much impossible to keep them off their smartphones, so this is one tip that they’re bound to use. There are lots of free GPS navigation apps out there which they might like to try, and also lots of apps designed to help them find their nearest restaurant, hotel, activity and more.

Hands-free

Sticking to the subject of smartphones, it might be a good idea to buy them a hands-free system to use on the journey. Not only will this be a useful investment for future drives, but it will also stop any temptation to use their phone whilst driving.

Keep in touch!

Finally, make sure you keep in touch. It’s important to remember that trips like these are a rite of passage but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to worry. Check in with them every couple of days, even if it’s just a message on Facebook, and you’ll feel much more at ease knowing they’re safe and enjoying their trip!

These hints and tips were provided by PassSmart.com; a British company who work in the driver training industry.

Filed Under: Simply Life Tagged With: driving, raod trip, safety, teens, travel

Safe Travels with Visa Prepaid Cards

April 18, 2013 By Brian 1 Comment

What’s in my wallet when I travel? Photo ID? Check. Cash and local currency? Check. Visa Prepaid card? Check.

Clean out Your Wallet

When I travel, I’m pretty paranoid about someone taking my wallet. I mean, seriously, my library card is not helping me if I’m nowhere near my library. That goes doubly so when I’m leaving the country. At least, when I’m state-side, I can speak the language, call an 800 number and get things taken care of. When I’m in another country, what numbers can I even call? Does my cell phone have an international plan? Who do I turn to for help?

That’s why I leave so many of my cards at home. A couple of weeks ago, before I took off for Chile, I was busy emptying out my wallet and getting my finances in order for the trip. I like to make sure to have cash on any trip. It’s easier to exchange at most places and many shops even take American cash. I try to separate it out into several different places, whether it be carry-on, luggage, or on my person. This way, if someone grabs my wallet, I am not completely without means. I also like to have some local currency on me for obvious reasons.

Preparing for Emergencies

Still, I only like to keep so much cash in any currency on my person. For emergencies, hotel bills, and even bigger ticket shopping items, I really like to have a card of some sort with me. I prefer that it be a prepaid card so that I limit the potential damage should someone get access to my card. Visa prepaid cards can be used pretty much anywhere in the world, so I personally tend towards those. One other nice security feature is that, with many Visa prepaid cards, you can also order a companion card.

In my case, I kept the companion card in the hotel room. If someone were to steal my wallet with my primary card, I could simply cancel that card and then use the companion card as if nothing had happened. This is a big deal when you are in a foreign country and need access to cash. You just don’t have time to wait for another card to get to you by mail.

Check out how easy it is to load a Visa Prepaid card in this video!

What is in your wallet when you travel? Leave me a comment and let me know.
I am blogging on behalf of Visa Prepaid and received compensation for my time from Visa for sharing my views in this post, but the views expressed here are solely mine, not Visa’s. Discover more at http://www.VisaPrepaid.com or view more Visa Prepaid videos at http://www.youtube.com/visaprepaid.

Filed Under: SimplySaving Tagged With: money, travel, visa prepaid

One Tank Trips in Florida

April 17, 2013 By Beth 1 Comment

Whether you live in Florida, or are visiting for the weekend, the state has a lot to offer, including big cities, the Everglades, National Parks and two beautiful coasts. And depending where you are, a lot of these destinations are only about a tank of gas away. If you have some time to spend in Florida, don’t limit your visit to one area. Consider a few of these one tank Florida road trips:

Miami and Fort Lauderdale – Southern Florida is home to two cities that are famous for their vibrant nightlife and world-class beaches. Catch a Miami Heat game or check out the Fort Lauderdale beach strip on a one tank trip to these well-known Florida destinations.

The Florida Keys – If you’ve never been through the Keys, you’ve never truly experienced Florida. There are dozens of the small coral islands connected by U.S. Route 1, with lots to see and explore. Check out National Parks, rocky beaches, snorkeling tours and boat rentals while you’re there.

Orlando – If you’re bringing kids along on the road trip, head to Orlando for a theme park experience you’ll never forget. With more than 10 theme parks from which to choose, you’ll have no problem finding a park that both you and your kids will enjoy.

Gainesville – Head to Gainesville for a laid back vibe that can only be found in a college town. There are great restaurants and cafes throughout the area, and if you visit during football season, stop by the University of Florida for an authentic southern tailgating experience.

Beaches – Florida is a gold mine of beaches. Two separate coasts and hundreds of miles of sunny surf mean that you’re never more than a tank of gas away from the water. Find beaches that are off the beaten path, or check out the more famous stretches of Florida coast.

Road trip tips

If you’re planning a one tank trip in Florida, keep these road trip tips in mind:

Plan ahead: Reserve hotels and vehicle rentals as far in advance as possible to secure the best deals. Waiting until the last minute could cause you to pay hundreds of dollars more than you might have just a few weeks earlier.
Save money: Create a vacation savings fund before leaving for your trip. You should have enough money saved to pay for your expenses, plus some left over in case of emergency. Saving a little bit at a time is easy if you know how to reduce your monthly budget. Try cancelling your cable TV for a while, or applying for an auto refinance on your auto loan.
Make a playlist: No road trip is complete without an accompanying playlist. Burn a couple mix CDs, or load up your MP3 player, and hit the road on one of these memorable Florida adventures.

Filed Under: Simply Life Tagged With: auto loan, auto refinance, family, Florida, road trip, travel

Travel: The Welcome Back Chapter

April 16, 2013 By Beth 1 Comment

We picked Brian up from his Foods from Chile adventure at the local airport on Sunday afternoon. Brian’s flight was scheduled to land at 12:15 pm. I decided we would still go to church service and Sunday School that Sunday morning. The church is closer to the airport than the house and I was worried about how long lunch would take with the kids. As predicted the kids were starving after church so a picnic was a great plan. We decided to picnic at the airport instead of the church. The short term parking had a grassy spot next to it so it worked out perfectly!

See the airplane parked in the background? The kids LOVED that airplane just sitting there.

Matthew was excited to picnic with the HUGE lunchbox (a.k.a. cooler! lol) The kids ate their lunch meat, yogurt, grapes, and cookies while talking all about the airplanes. We saw a small airplane while eating and that was big news for the little ones!

Brian’s plane defied odds and was EARLY! 15 minutes early! We saw the plane land but I didn’t think it was his since it was so early but I got a text at touch down from him so we ran in to greet daddy! (YAY for a small airport!)

When we got home, Brian started unpacking goodies and then left this in my clean living room.

I wondered how long he would leave it there but he did clean it up pretty quick. The kids were so happy to through his bag with him. More pictures to come on his purchases and his travels but for now we are happy to have daddy home.

Have you ever picnicked at an airport? How long do you deal with unpacking after travel? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Filed Under: Simply Family Tagged With: family, kids, picnic, suitcase, travel, welcome home

Road Trip Checklist | Car Maintenance and What to Pack

April 10, 2013 By Beth 3 Comments

Before You Hit the Road, Pack: The Essential Road Trip Checklist

Road trips aren’t for everyone, but if you’re the type who enjoys the journey as much as the destination, hitting the road is a great way to spend a vacation. But before you hop in the car and drive off, make sure you’re prepared for the trek. Use this road trip checklist before your next adventure to make sure your vacation is a success.

The car

Maintenance – Ask your mechanic to perform any scheduled car maintenance and make necessary repairs. If your car isn’t ready for the trip, it might be time for a new ride. If you can’t afford the full price of a new car, look into auto loan rates. A car loan can get you into a safer, more reliable vehicle quickly.
Car insurance – Don’t head out on the road unprotected. Make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date and consider adding roadside assistance to your policy.
Weather appropriate – Make sure your car is equipped to handle the season. All-wheel-drive and snow tires can help keep you safe in the snow.

Supplies

Food – Bring non-perishable items to snack on between meal stops. Beef jerky, peanut butter and trail mix will fill you up and keep without refrigeration.
Water – Just because you’re not active doesn’t mean you don’t have to stay hydrated. Keep bottles of drinking water in your vehicle.
Clothes – Dress for the weather, and bring warm blankets and sweaters if you’re driving in the winter.
Money – Keep some spare money on hand in case of emergencies. To save up a little extra cash, open a savings account a few months before your trip, or look for other ways to save like an auto refinance loan or reducing your cable television package.

Entertainment

Music – No road trip is complete without a playlist. Load up your MP3 player, smartphone or CD player with your favorite tunes.
Games – Pass the hours with digital word games, travel board games or one of the classics like “I Spy” or “Twenty Questions.”
Reading materials – Catch up on some reading with books, e-readers or magazines.

Navigation

GPS – A GPS device can help you stay on course, as well as help you find the nearest gas station or restaurant.
Smartphone GPS app – If you don’t have a stand-alone GPS device, most smartphones come with free navigation applications that often work just as well.
Road atlas – Sometimes nothing beats a trusty road atlas. Keep one in the car in case your electronics’ batteries die or you lose your wireless signal.

Emergency

Car jack and spare tire – In case of a flat, make sure you have a car jack and fully inflated spare tire on hand.
Road flares or reflectors – If you have car trouble after dark, make sure you’re visible to other vehicles with reflective triangles or road flares.
Flashlight – Changing a tire can be tricky enough on its own without adding the element of darkness. A flashlight is easy to pack and may come in handy after the sun goes down.
First aid kit – Accidents can happen during your road trip, and for minor ones, it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand.

We’ve all left the house with the feeling we’ve forgotten something. Put your fears to rest by using this road trip checklist, and add your own specific items like toys for your children or your pet. Using a checklist and planning ahead is the best way to make sure your trip is a success.

Filed Under: Simply Life Tagged With: family, packing, road trip, travel

Introducing Foods from Chile’s Next Top Blogger

February 27, 2013 By Brian 19 Comments

If you haven’t already heard, I recently won the “Next Top Blogger” contest sponsored by Foods from Chile. I cannot even begin to express how excited I am at the amazing opportunity to experience Chile and to share my experiences here with you. Before signing up for this contest, I didn’t always pay attention to the origin of my produce. Sure, I want my kids to know that their food comes from the ground and that we can use raw ingredients to make all of the dishes that they love, but I’m not looking to teach a geography lesson to my 6-year-old every time we go shopping. Now, though, I am looking at the labels more. If you look on the bottom right of this carton of blueberries, you can clearly see that they are from Chile. I picked these up at a Walmart in central Virginia. I’ve also picked up grapes from Chile at our local Sam’s Club. I’m curious to shop around and see what other foods from Chile I can find in our area.

While the blog post seemed an appropriate enough entry, one big part of this contest was to submit a video explaining why I am the best fit for this trip. Blogging is one thing. To research a topic and present that information in writing in a way that is easy enough to read for most people is pretty easy for me at this point. There is a reason, though, that I have avoided vlogging. It seems like such a huge production. Is the lighting right? Do I have the script memorized? Is the script appropriate? In this case, time was a big factor! Was my video under a minute? With my preschoolers running around, when would I even have the time to shoot? Do even get me started on editing the darned thing.

Thank goodness for my Beth. She helped with ideas for my script, held the iPhone steady for way too many takes, and put up with my crazy obsessiveness over lighting, stammers, and even the shirt I ended up wearing. Were it not for her help with editing, I would be a much crazier man! She helped shave down 10 seconds on a video in which I hardly pause for a breath. If you aren’t looking closely, you’ll hardly notice the cut in the middle.

So, are you ready to see my winning video? Here goes:

So what did you think? Should I keep working on videos? We would love to get your comments.

Filed Under: Simply Food Tagged With: Chile, food, Foods from Chile, Next Top Blogger, travel

Recap LEGO KidsFest Richmond, VA

February 21, 2013 By Beth 6 Comments

We had the opportunity to take the kids to Richmond, VA to the LEGO KidsFest this past weekend. We were surprised by the traffic getting to the convention center but we made it and found parking in the one parking garage I know from Brian’s Richmond Half Marathon runs. We were right next to the Convention Center so the walk was easy with the kids. We noted that this was one of first no stroller events so that was exciting for our family of five!

The kids loved the large LEGO statues that were positioned around the hall. Grace touched all over the Friends statue to see that it was little LEGO bricks. She loved the puppy dog!

The hands on portion of the LEGO KidsFest was really great for the kids. Grace is our oldest and is 6.5 years. Brian and I decided she is just below the prime demographic of the event. She had fun, as did the other kids, but we saw that 7 – 9 year olds that LOVE LEGOs were the ones that were totally in their element at the event. The favorite spot for all of the kids was the DUPLO section which was a surprise. I thought the girls would the love the FRIENDS area but I think it was too busy for them. Matthew found the animals and the girls love the princess area in the DUPLO area. This section was less crowded so we let them play in this area twice!

The store at the event was so busy. We let the kids look but when saw the line was over at thirty minutes long to buy items, we told them they could use their spend money at Walmart to buy LEGO sets, which they did later that day. I know they were a bit bummed over this as were we but standing that long in the line seemed to miss the purpose of the trip and the event for us.

We knew it was time to leave when Matthew broke down in the DUPLO area over sharing his pile of animals with another little girl. He just wanted ALL of the animals he could find. He was in love with the animals. We made the right call because he was happy to to get the van and rest with his snack. As a demonstration of their love of the event, the girls wore their hats all the way home. They loved those hats so much that we had convince them they couldn’t wear them on the cold, windy afternoon at the Girl Scout cookie booth!

The kids really enjoyed this event. We would take them back for sure and I think at that point they would enjoy it even more! Check to see if the LEGO KidsFest is coming to a town near you!

Have you ever been to a LEGO KidsFest event? What is your favorite LEGO series? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Filed Under: Kids, Simply Family Tagged With: family, family activity, kids, LEGO, LEGO KIdsFest, travel

Holiday Travel Safety Tips from LifeLock

December 11, 2012 By Beth Leave a Comment

This holiday season, many of us will be taking trips to visit family. Whether we are taking a couple of hour drive or a cross-country flight, our focus on the trip can often mean that we leave our guards down. This can lead us to be vulnerable to predators looking to steal our personal information. Here are a couple of tips to keep you safe during your holiday travel.

Don’t be a target

First, your baggage or even your vehicle can make you a target. Carrying a laptop bag tells anyone watching that you are carrying expensive equipment with the possibility of saved personal information. If you set it down, anyone can easily pick it up by just walking by. Did you know that even driving an SUV can send signals to people looking to take things? The openness of the SUV and the lack of a trunk to hide baggage makes it easy for people to see what’s inside and leads them to being highly susceptible to auto-burglary. Even when we are traveling short distances, Beth will often hide her purse in the trunk of our car so that people can’t see it. If we take the van, she might even hide it inside or under a shopping bag in the back. Sometimes it helps to have a messy vehicle!! Any way you do it, just be careful not to look like a target during your holiday travel.

Watch your money

When you travel, make sure that you keep your money safe. Big wads of cash instantly get people’s attention. Additionally, people can tamper with point-of-sale machines, so using your debit card and entering your PIN can lead to some problems. Even though, to me, it seems a bit contrary for us trying to pay down our credit, your best bet when travelling is to use your credit card and hand it to the attendant to run. In this case, if someone does use your card without your permission, it is much easier to dispute the charges.

This December, LifeLock is partnering with an amazing new documentary called Waiting for Lightning. After working with LifeLock, we know that “identity is everything.” And professional skateboarder Danny Way found his identity by always challenging himself with the biggest (and most dangerous) goals.

To support the release of Waiting for Lightning on 13th at 10:30am PST, 1:30pm EST, @LifeLock is hosting a Twitter party! RSVP Here: http://bit.ly/DannyWayParty

Are you going anywhere this holiday season? How do you keep your personal information safe during your holiday travel?

For more tips, make sure to Follow LifeLock on Twitter, Like LifeLock on FaceBook, and play the LifeLock for Life Sweepstakes.

Filed Under: SimplySaving Tagged With: holiday, holiday travel, LifeLock, LifeLock for Life, lifelock.org, travel, travel safety

Does Your Car Make You Ready for Holiday Travel?

December 5, 2012 By Beth 3 Comments

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Kia Motors

Are you headed out on the road this holiday season? #kiaholiday We will do some traveling but not as much as in years past. We feel as though we have started to master the routine of traveling with three kids (and sometimes one dog!) Of course there are the potty breaks but even before you think about that, you need to make sure that everyone can get out of the car quickly. Packing items under kids feet seems like a great idea until they step on grandma’s present! oops!

Drinks and snacks are also key. The kids all have cup holders in their car seats … thankfully. But even at that, we end up using all built in cup holders too so the kids have back up drinks they can reach! I have learn your can NEVER have enough cup holders. Never. The snacks are tucked into the car seat pockets or if they are lucky I will chuck a snack back to them (here is where I should mention that aim is horrible so I really try to avoid this task!)

Entertainment is the next factor we have to keep in mind that anything beyond a one hour car drive needs to have entertainment. We seem to be passed the days of where a DVD made everyone happy. Now Grace wants to watch where we are driving or endlessly talk about gosh know what. Sophie and Matthew prefer to fight over what movie is playing and who is touching who at that moment. Oh the joys of three kids in one vehicle … I think they need ear phones … or maybe I need ear plugs!

What are your must have road trip snacks or entertianment? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Simply Life Tagged With: holiday travel, tips, travel, travel with children

Hotel Review: Checking In at the Hotel Helix

November 17, 2012 By Brian 8 Comments

When Beth and I were up at the DC Metro Cooking and Entertaining Show, we had a great opportunity to stay at the lovely Hotel Helix. This quirky little hotel is located right in the heart of the Arts District in Washington, DC in the Logan Circle neighborhood. When you drive up, you don’t really feel like you are coming up to a hotel. It feels more like a little apartment building.

The first thing you notice is that the Hotel Helix is very conveniently located. It was less than a five-minute taxi ride from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The next morning, I went for a nice little 3-mile run down to the Washington Monument and back and Beth and I walked to breakfast and then even walked back to the cooking show for the second day. Even with luggage in tow, the walk was a great way to get up and moving on a Sunday morning away from home.

The hotel itself was just a neat experience. The front desk area was very professional and on the way to the elevators, we passed the bar and dining area, which looked like it had a pretty fun vibe to it. If we stay here again, we’ll have to make sure to take better advantage of it. The room itself was decked out in this cool, funky decor. Wrap around couches, fun wall coverings, even the sheets were something that i just don’t usually see in a hotel room. Since we were looking for things to be wrong, we found a couple. That’s just part of me and the way that I review things. Some of the wallpaper was starting to peel and the toilet paper holder was starting to come out of the wall. I see these as little maintenance issues that are easily addressed. In no way did they take away from the overall experience of the hotel.

The best thing that I can say about this place is that the Hotel Helix is definitely family- and pet-friendly. The neighborhood seemed very safe and they offer many different types of rooms, including some with bunk beds! Seriously! When was the last time that you went to a hotel with bunk beds? We even got on the elevator with one lady who was taking her dog out for a walk. When you add in spa services, the cool lounge with an evening bubbly hour, and great coffee in the morning, the Hotel Helix is really a kind of escape in the middle of Washington, DC.

If you are headed to DC this holiday season, you might consider staying here so that you can get away from the craziness of your family. What do you think? Does Hotel Helix sound like a great home away from home for you in the Washington, DC area? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Promotional, Reviews, Simply Life Tagged With: hotel, hotel helix, review, travel, travel review