I'm Back!!

You may have noticed the absence of posts these past few weeks. Well that's because my husband and I went on a cross country road trip to see some of America's National Parks! But rest assured, we are alive and well :-)

This evening I will be selecting the winner from the 100th post giveaway. If he or she has not responded in one week to my email, I will select another winner. So, if you entered, be on the lookout for a congratulations message! A special thanks goes out to all who entered this contest- I truly enjoyed reading all of the tips you posted. I plan on re-posting those tips in a future special article for all the readers of Wallet Wise to enjoy.

Stay tuned for a Friday Fun update as well as Saving on Sunday and coupon alerts!

Friday Fun: Camping

How many of you own a tent? A sleeping bag? When was the last time you dug them out? If its been a while, now, more than ever, is the time to shake out the dust and get camping again!

Right now, my husband and I are busy planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon. To save money as well as get the most of the experience, we will be camping each night at a National Park. Many other Americans seem to be thinking the same thing. A recent CNN article explored this issue:

"With the economy in a slump, camping seems to be grabbing a new foothold in the travel industry. Once considered by many to be an activity for nerdy families, nature geeks and Boy Scouts, sleeping outside in a tent has become chic -- likely because it is so much cheaper than paying for a hotel room. The activity also strikes a new chord with Americans who want to get back to basics after an era of excess and overspending...(click here to read the rest of the article)"

Campgrounds usually run around 10-25 dollars a night, with State Parks being the cheapest at around 10 dollars a day. What a great way to save money while going on vacation! Since my husband and I love to travel, a tiny budget isn't going to stop us, and it shouldn't stop you either. Sleeping and experiencing the outdoors together as a family or group of friends is a great way to build and strengthen bonds with loved ones.

If you plan on taking a camping vacation this year, be sure to try and reserve a spot at reserveusa.com or recreation.gov. Popular National Parks fill up quick, so don't wait til the last minute or they might all be gone. I just recently reserved three nights at the Grand Canyon for the month of June and discovered over 2/3rds of the campground was already filled up! Less popular national parks might be less of a problem, but it never hurts! To find a national or state park near you, click here!

Budget Wednesday: Affording Vacation Part 2

Last Saturday I posted some of my tips for making a vacation affordable. With spring rolling around, I am sure many of you are beginning to plan your family's summer vacation or a quick spring getaway. No one needs to tell us that the travel industry is taking a hit from the recession, but the good news is that this is a great time to snag some amazing package deals. Here some more of my tips for planning a vacation on a budget:

4. Drive instead of fly. This might seem like common sense, especially with the lower gas prices. However, how many of you have actually taken trips within a couple hours drive from where you live? Often, people associate vacation with 'going away', but it doesn't have to be on the other side of the country for you to have some fun and R&R! Click here to learn about all the destinations and trip options near your homestead.

5. Get outside. We are incredibly blessed to have such an extensive national and state park system here in the United States. How many national parks have you been to? With such a wide variety of parks (from caves to sand dunes) there's sure to be one to fit your family! Camping has long been a budget friendly vacation, and it pays back by building community and character. Not looking to rough it? Lodges are available at most parks, as well as tours, guided activities and special events. Click here to find one near you.

6. Collect Coupons. Yes, coupons can be used for more than just groceries! Most destinations have a Visitor's Bureau where you can not only get the scoop on all the best attractions but also get coupons! These coupons can range from a dollar off to half price admission. Also, the staff can give you hints on details such as where to park for free if its a busy destination.

Stay tuned for more on budget vacation planning!