Liquid Budgeting

      There are a lot of liquids that we have no control over.  At home, it's what we are charged by the water company.  When we are visiting friends or relatives, it may be the temperature of the hot water coming out of the shower head.  The cost of gas is the largest problem when doing the road trip with the kids.  But one thing that we can control is what we spend on drinks when on the road.

      Here is a little money saving tip that you may try.  I prepare for the trip for about the entire month before leaving.  Shopping for bargains on our snacks.  Getting on line in search of discount coupons for attractions.  And I have booked rooms 6 months in advance, but I do double check a few time during the last month prior to departure just in case there are any specials.  There are times that I have cancelled my reservations and re booked for a cheaper price.  BUT - the one thing that I always do is freeze drinks for the trip.

     Check this out - 
     We love the mocha coffee drinks, but when purchased from the grocery store  you are paying at least $1.00 for the little bottle.  Same drink from the truck stop or convenience store, about $2.00.
I made a similar drink, pour into a 16 oz bottle and freeze for a cost of about 30 cents.   I can control the caffeine content and the amount of creamer and flavoring. Plus, I will put it in a plastic container.
     What about the healthy for you juice drinks.  Again, a some what can purchased from the grocery store, in a four pack, will run you at least $1.00 each.  (usually more like $1.25).  Make that purchase when gassing up alone the highway and you will pay $2.00 - $2.50.  Availability is limited.
     And one more time here.  I am always happy when the kids ask for tea instead of soda.  Check the labels on these flavored teas and you may be a bit surprised at the sugar contents.  You can make these same teas right at home.  Weather it is just a basic sun tea, green tea or a tea that you add a tiny bit of real juice to, the home made teas is better for you and better tasting.  And the cost? The 16 oz bottle of home made teas will cost you about a dime.  Add a little bit of juice and you will get that cost up to 15 cents.  Let's compare cost. Ours -  15 cents or less.  The same size from the grocery store - $1.50 and along the highway you are looking at close to $3.00.

        Putting it simply, by making your own drinks to cover the first few days, you will easily save at least $20 a day for the family of 4, thefirst few days of your trip.  Adds up real quick!

      One more little tip - freeze most of your water, teas and juices (most are freezer compatible) and they will serve as ice for the cooler also.  Again, saving just a bit.  When you freeze your drinks, you will want to loosen your lids to allow for expansion, just like you do the gallon water jugs , that you use to replace block ice in your ice chest.

    

It Started So Simple

     As much as I enjoy spending time with my grand children, I had never thought about annual vacations.  That all changed in 2003 with a trip with my daughter, her 4 children, and another grand daughter, to San Francisco.  We spent 5 days in the area and then my 3 grand daughters and I head out for a road trip home, leaving my daughter to fly home with her sons.  Sorry boys - this is an all girls trip. 

     We spent 5 days in the San Francisco area as a family, wondering around the Fisherman's Wharf, watching seal, chasing sea gulls, shopping textiles on Haight-Ashbury and just enjoying the sights.  On day 6 it was time to leave my daughter and the two youngest kids, the boys, and take off on our own.  We headed south with our minds set on spending the day on the beaches of Santa Cruz.  At 50 years of age, I had yet to make it to that beach even tho I had dreamed of it for over 30 years.  The girls - they just wanted to play in the sun, sand and on the boardwalk. 

     This was not a 'get to know each other' type of trip.  We had all spent a lot of time together.  We had all lived together at times.  This was all about having fun and discovery.  And that we did.   In this beginning, Tiffany was 12 years old, her sister Robyn was 11 and then there is my other grand daughter Casey, who was also 11 years old.  I will tell you right now that there could not have been a better age to begin this tradition.  They are old enough to know how to be safe, how to listen and mind and they know just how far they can push their grand mother and when to back off and not push my buttons.  Perfect!

                    This is when our 'Life's  A  Beach' began.

       My goal here, with this little blog site, is to share any tips that I have on how to affordable make this type of trip.  Along with some of our experiences and advise on how to handle being in confined quarters with 4 four females.  Yep - as much enjoyment as we got from our trips there were some challenges.  If I said that it was all perfect, you would know I was not a very truthful blogger.  Let me tell you, as the girls got older and the hormones grew stronger, so did some of the challenges.  But, the enjoyment grew also as they were able to be more and more independent.  You will be amazed at how my girls grew over the years of travel.

     Check back for new post that will appear on a regular basis.
Take the 'Life's A Beach' trip through time with us.