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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We also are often on a tight budget while traveling. I would much rather be frugal and see fun places than just stay home.
Here are our money saving tips-

-camp at a state or national park
-if in a hotel- always utilize the free breakfast 
-do the free activities- hiking, fishing,beach (we usually have one or two splurge activities like white water rafting, theater , etc. )
-use McDonalds dollar menu or Subway sub of the day- great savings
-everyone brings a refillable water bottle from home and pack snacks bought at Sam's or buy at locally grocery store-no convenience stores/gas station purchases
- when driving we often eat meals like bagels/cream cheese, pbj and pringles, ritz, cheese and summer sausage, oatmeal packs- nothing wrong with this- it saves time and money 
- check your local groupon site for discounts on activities and restaurants

****most important - do not present the trip to your kids like- poor us, we are so broke we can only afford this but not that

Have a mindset that you are going to explore a new destination and how fortunate you are to be able to do it. Depending on the age of the kids, you don't even need to bring up money or how it factors into how you are eating/ experiences. I mean instead of saying " no soda or juice when eating out because we can't afford it" say " we are going to be eating out a lot and water at meals rather than sofa is so much healthier "

DItto on the mindset.  You are 'having a picnic in a beautiful natural setting' not 'eating a sandwich because we are poor.'  In a national park, in the Alps, wherever, it's a real treat to have a simple sandwich accompanied by a 'million dollar view'.  We also splurged by buying things like international coffee and letting our preteens have that along with lunch.  Feels like a treat in a beautiful setting, and the view is actually better than it would be at a restaurant.

Do not dwell on money issues- kids will pick up on this mindset and immediately feel cheated when hiking, free destinations are otherwise fun for them if they aren't presented as - this is all that we can afford to do...

That being said- we usually try and do one splurge meal per trip- east coast- let's go to a lobster place, southern location- one good BBQ meal

Don't let money worries ruin your trip... keep things light. You are building memories and bonding as a family... it is really not about indulging every whim.

Safe travels![/quote][/quote]

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