Travelling on a Budget Series - Part 1 - Accomodations

My family and I have been fortunate to be able to travel regularly.  I often get asked about how we can afford to travel.  I'm going to share my money saving tips to help you reach your travel goals.  I have a lot of information to share so this will be a series of posts.  In this, part 1, I will be sharing my tips specific to accommodations - I will follow up with tips on flights, eating on vacation, activities/entertainment, and rental cars.

Before a continue, a little disclaimer - It's important to have an in depth understanding of your own budget.  It's important not to travel "beyond your means".  So that being said - Understand that in addition to my regular full-time job, I have taken part-time jobs in the past (fitness instructor, paid contributor to blogs, etc) to help us save for vacation.  I am not a financial adviser or any kind of financial professional, but my best recommendation is to go through a budgeting exercise first, before you start planning for vacation.  We revisit our budget every year (sometimes more frequently, especially if circumstances change). 

Now, with all of the above in mind, I will share some general tips for saving money on vacation.  These tips are not specific to any particular location, so I hope they will help you in your planning.

Accommodations

When my husband and I were dating, most of our vacations involved hotels, with the occasional camping trip.  This was often the most expensive part of our vacations.  Over the years I've identified a few ways to save money in this area.  Not all of these options will be ideal for everyone, so be sure you consider all your needs before booking:

• Hotel Reward Programs - Most major chains offer "rewards programs" of some kind.  These programs are typically available from the chain's website.  Some examples include Marriott Rewards, Best Western Rewards, IHG Rewards, etc.  

• Not all rewards programs are created equal, so be sure to review the terms and conditions of each.  Often the "down side" to these rewards programs is that you do have to share your personal information - this information varies.  Some programs simply need your name and email address - others require mailing address or even your credit card number.  
• When you provide your contact information, it typically means that the hotel will email you with offers and "program updates".  I've actually found out about some special offers through these emails, so they can be useful, but I know not everyone likes those emails.
• The benefits range from program to program.  Some chains offer a "member's discount", some have you accumulate points to eventually earn free points or other benefits (free upgrades, discounts on room service, etc).
• There are similar programs offered through "discount travel" websites like Expedia, Hotels.com and others.
• A few tips on what to look for in a rewards program:
• Do they have properties in the areas you typically look to travel?
• Are they asking you to disclose personal information beyond what you feel comfortable providing?
• Are the discounts they are offering to members better than discounts you may obtain through other means (if you have a discount through your employer, if you are a Air Miles/Aeroplan or other points program that offers discounts on hotels, or discounts offered through organization or credit card memberships)?
• If they are awarding you points per stay - are the points you earn awarded in a way that benefits you more than another program/site would offer if you didn't book through your member account?  People usually ask me what I mean by this - Here is a hypothetical example:
• You book a night through your membership you have through a particular hotel chain - you earn 1 point for every $50 you spend on your stay.  The room is $100 per night.  The points can be redeemed for a free night's stay - but you need 10,0000 points for a free night stay.  If you booked through a your frequent flyer program, you would earn 50 miles per stay, miles can be redeemed for hotel stays, airfare, car rentals, goods and/or services.  For a hotel stay, you roughly need 2,000 points for one night.  In this example, the frequent flyer program is a better value.
• Something else to keep in mind with hotels - watch for whether you need to pay for parking and whether there are additional fees (resort fees or added fees to use on-site facilities like "water parks").
• READ REVIEWS - I cannot stress this enough.  A deal is only a deal if you stay somewhere you enjoy.  If there are negative reviews - that's not always a "deal breaker".  Review the negative reviews to see what the complaints are about.  If the complaints are about lack of parking, noise, or (worse yet) bugs or mold... RED FLAG!  But if the complaints are because it took 20 minutes for room service to arrive, or that someone didn't like the pay per view movies that were available - decide if that's important to you or not.

• Airbnb, VRBO or other rental property - This is one of my favourite accommodation options.  This is a particularly attractive option if you are travelling with a group that would typically require more than one hotel room - you can usually get a condo/apartment/house with multiple bedrooms for much less than paying for multiple hotel rooms.  I also love having your own kitchen.

• While I say this is my favourite option - it's not for everyone.  You don't typically get things like housekeeping, parking sometimes isn't included (depending on where you are staying), and there may not be facilities like a gym or pool.
• Once again - I will emphasize - read reviews.  Similar to above, evaluate whether the complaints are about things that are important to you.
• With these sites in particular - you can usually get pretty great deals on "newly listed" properties.  But a word of caution - if there are no reviews, it means you are the "guinea pig" for the property.  It's a big risk.  You can check out the property owner's profile to see if they have other properties listed and what the reviews are on those properties as a guide, but again, no guarantee.

• Camping/RV - This option is very often (although not always) cheaper than the above options.  As a general guide - tent sites are cheaper than RV sites, and are frequently more available (we've often been able to get tent sites pretty last minute - depending on the campground).  

• RVs do offer some additional warmth/protection from weather and dampness - so tenting may not always be appropriate.
• Again, read reviews about the campgrounds - we had one experience where we tented at a campground that was very swampy - we didn't read reviews beforehand.
• There are "serviced and unserviced" sites - the serviced sites usually have better access to things like water and electricity.  Some campground even offer "overflow" tenting - which are even cheaper, however, it usually means a longer walk to bathroom facilities.
• If there is a campground map available, it's a good idea to refer to it when booking a site.
• Note that Parks Canada campsites often require that you pay for your campsite as well as park admission, so something you need to consider when booking.  I will say, however, that Parks Canada campsites that we have stayed at are often very well maintained, and they offer programming in the park (campfires, plays, guided hikes, etc).... so you do get value for paying park admission.
• You can also book campsites or "Glamping" properties through Airbnb.  Note - for those who don't know - "Glamping" is often a fancy tent with a "real bed" or larger than usual - a great option for those that want to "tent" without the "hassle" of setting up the tent, and enjoy comfier accommodations than the typical air mattress and sleeping bag.

• Timeshare/Resort Certificates - I will start by saying, I don't actually own a timeshare but I have attended a timeshare presentation.  There are benefits - but again, they are not a great option for everyone.  We don't travel enough to make the commitment worth it for us, but it may be worth it for you.  With timeshares in particular, you can sometimes receive a benefit before signing on - such as a discounted stay or "free" tickets for parks or other entertainment, but in exchange for the discount or free items, you have to sit through a presentation on the timeshare, and a meeting with a salesperson.  These can often (but not always) be high pressure meetings.  The timeshares involve a commitment of regular payments for a fixed amount of time.  It can frequently be cheaper than owning a vacation property, but you need to weigh whether it's worth it for you and your family.  And if you're "only" attending to get the free items or discounts they are offering, consider the value of your time, as some of these presentations can be very lengthy.
• Some timeshares offer a discounted stay at their property for you to "try it out".  I have done this before.  Some require you attend a timeshare presentation, and some don't.  If you don't have to commit to a presentation, these can be a great way to get inexpensive accommodations.  
• With these certificates/timeshares - be absolutely clear as to what is required of you.  Remember the old saying "nothing in life is free".  You don't want to lock yourself in to something you don't want.

Those are some of my accommodation tips - I, personally, have had some of my best deals through Airbnb/rental properties - but again, it depends what you are looking for.

Interested in trying Airbnb?  Check it out through my referral link here: 

• Never tried Airbnb but would like to try? Try my referral link a https://www.airbnb.ca/c/kmitchell469?currency=CAD  and you can get a $45 credit towards your first trip!

Want to hear more about any of the above accommodation options?  I'm happy to share specific posts about some of my stays at each of the above options.  Let me know in the comments or connect with me on social media!

And stay tuned for Part 2 of this series!!

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Welcome Back

Welcome back to you, to me.... to the bots that roam my blog.  I know, I know... another long absence... what's up with that?  I won't get in to all the reasons I needed a break, but we had a break, and now here we are.

I've been browsing some travel websites which has motivated me to get writing again about how to travel on a budget.  Especially since this seems to be the time of year that people make promises to themselves about budgeting.

If you've read this blog before, you know that I am a travel enthusiast.... some would say I'm obsessed (not me... but some... *ahem* my husband *ahem*).  Travel provides opportunities for rest, relaxation, learning and time to bond as a family.  Unfortunately, it also tends to be one of the first things on the chopping block when people are looking to save money.  I think the benefits of travel are numerous, so I'm here to help you find ways to save money so you can travel more often.

I want this blog to be useful to you, so if there are particular things you would like to see in upcoming posts (savings/budgeting tips and tools, information on particular destinations, tips for particular types of vacations like all inclusive or road trips, etc) please leave a comment or reach out to me on social media!

Looking forward to getting started again.  Fresh new blog look (do you like it?) and fresh new content.

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Yurting It Up In Dartmouth

My daughter and I decided to do something a little out of the ordinary for a holiday this summer.  I've been working and doing a lot of school work lately, so some mother/daughter time was needed.  We are fortunate that Dartmouth and Halifax, Nova Scotia, are within driving distance, so we took off on a mini-vacay!

I like to camp, but I don't like all of the "lugging" involved in camping (tents, tarps, etc), so we decided to try something a little different.  I found Shubie Campground (visit their website here: http://shubiecampground.com/).  Shubie Campground has campsites available for those interested in tenting or bringing a trailer, but what we found that intrigued us was the yurt available on site - so as my daughter put it, we decided to "yurt it up".  It should be noted that there is only one yurt available, so be sure you book early if you are interested!

Shubie Campground is connected to Shubie Park, which has a fabulous trail system, more on that later.

First - arriving at the campground was a little tricky - not that we got lost, my GPS kept us on track, but, you have to go in through a residential area to reach the campground, so we did wonder if we were lost.  So if you see lots of houses, don't worry, you're still on track!

The campground signage is large and colourful so it is easy to spot once you reach your destination.

A note if you are planning to arrive later, the campground office closes at 9 PM, at which time a security guard is stationed at the entrance.  It's possible to get in and out to your campsite, but you have to be able to answer questions with security.  You should also contact the campground to ensure it is possible to check in after hours.

There is a parking area by the office.  You are welcome to leave your vehicle there, but if you would like to drive your vehicle in and out of the campground itself, you need to pay a $20 deposit for a key card that opens and closes the main gate.

Check-in was simple, as you pay a deposit when you book your site, so there was no fumbling with cards when you arrive, you can get to your site ASAP!  Our Yurt had a key, and we just had to head right to our site.

The yurt is very much equivalent to a tent in that you can't expect a hotel room style, or trailer style accommodation.  What do I mean by that?  It means you have to be prepared for the outside temperatures, there are no heaters inside the yurt.  There is also the possibility of some bugs inside the yurt.  However, you don't have to worry about getting wet if it rains!

There are two futons in the yurt for sleeping.  There is no bedding, so bring what you will need.  We each had a sleeping bag and pillows, so we were good to go.  There is a lantern provided in the yurt.  The batteries in the lantern were dead, unfortunately, when we arrived, but we just popped out to a store to pick up some new "D" batteries to replace them.  The lantern was very bright and perfect to light up the yurt at night.

There is a coffee table in the yurt as well to put some of your items on.

There was also an extension cord that was run from the power hook-up in to the yurt, which was perfect for charging phones!

There was a water hookup nearby too, which was so convenient to be able to get some water to heat up to wash dishes!  If you prefer a sink to wash dishes in, there are facilities up by the washrooms in the laundry area for washing dishes.   And yes, I did say laundry!  There are washers and dryers to be able to clean your clothes at your convenience.  They are coin operated, if you run out of coins, the office can help you out!

My daughter wanted to be sure I mentioned that there is a park on site.  There are swings, see-saw, climbing structure and tennis court.  She had a lot of fun there.

The yurt site also has space for one vehicle, as well as a picnic table and fire pit!

The office does have a small shop in it with some supplies if you happened to forget something.  There is also a library of DVDs if you have a DVD player with you.
Attached to the office is a small snack bar that serves hamburgers, fries and yummy ice cream if you don't feel like cooking!

As mentioned earlier, Shubie Campground is connected to Shubie Park.  So there is a trail system and beach.  The beach is small, but just a great size for the area.

The trails are very well groomed and have lots of informational panels and benches for sitting.  We saw so many chipmunks along the trail, they were adorable.  If you head right in to the park there is a spot to rent canoes and kayaks, and an area to see the canal system, and a spot to grab a snack and homemade lemonade.

Walking one of the trails in #ShubiePark #NovaScotia #Vacation

A post shared by Katie (@katie_nb) on Aug 27, 2018 at 12:31pm PDT

We highly recommend this campground, and try the Yurt for something a little different!

Have you ever tried camping in a facility different than a tent or trailer of your own?  Let me know in the comments section or connect with me on social media to chat about it.

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We Do Our Best

I was judged yesterday. I'm sure there are things daily that people silently judge me about, but this was a verbal judgement, to my face.  It was one of those moments that caught me off guard.

"Don't you think it's kind of selfish for you to be spending time going to school and not with your daughter?"

What a kid.

A post shared by Katie (@katie_nb) on Jul 28, 2018 at 12:14pm PDT

Selfish?  I had never really thought about it that way, no.

In 2013, I made the decision to go back to school.  After some not so great advice, I decided to get a "business certificate", which involved taking some basic business courses (accounting, finance, economics, etc).  I had made this decision after my husband decided to go in to business for himself, and I found myself in the role of human resources/payroll administrator/book keeper, etc.  I figured these courses would give me the basic knowledge I would need to help my husband in his business.

When I was about a year in to my certificate, someone asked me why I was dedicating so much time to a business certificate, when I could be working towards an MBA.  I thought about it for a while - well, an MBA could not only help with the knowledge I needed for my husband's business, but could also help me grow my career.  So I went for it.  In 2015, I enrolled in an MBA program.  I have been working towards my degree since then.  It's been many, many, many hours of reading, studying, group work, papers, assignments, and classes.  There have been tears and triumphs along the way.

Do I know that this takes me away from other things I could be doing in my life, including some family time, yes.  And some may consider that selfish.  I choose to look at it differently.

My working towards my MBA is (hopefully) doing these things:

- Making me a more confident person.  I had always told myself that I didn't think I could get my MBA because I wasn't a "numbers person".  I have proven myself wrong.

- It's showing my daughter that if we work hard, we can achieve great things.

- It's helping me in my career that I need to help provide for my family.

Those are just a few of what I perceive as major benefits.

Don't get me wrong.  There are some days that it's hard... really hard.  And I don't mean just the academic challenge - I mean the days that I would much rather just lay down and watch a movie with my daughter, but I need to write a paper instead.

I still spend time with my family, and we still have lots of fun together.  Because my family is a priority.

Going to school doesn't make me selfish, I think it makes me stronger.

So thank you to the person who asked me that question.  It made me have a hard look at why I'm doing what I'm doing, and reminded me that I need to keep going.

Sometimes we all need that reminder.

So for any of you feeling judged - we're all doing our best.  You are doing great.  Keep it up.

Mental Health Awareness

With a few high profile suicides this week, I felt compelled to lend my voice to the mental health discussion.  I am not a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor or mental health professional, so I will not go too in depth.  The idea behind this post is simply to keep the discussion going.

One thing that seems to happen any time there is a celebrity suicide is that we see a number of posts of shock: "I had no idea", "they seemed so happy", "I can't believe it!".  It emphasizes the point that we don't always know what's happening with people beyond their "public face". 

It is undeniable that depression, anxiety and many other mental health issues are not restricted to certain professions, certain types of people, or any other social classification.  Mental health is something that affects all of us, and while more discussion is happening, we still have more work to do.  Please keep this discussion going. 

If you are battling depression, know you are not alone.   Please reach out if you need help:

- In Canada, you can call the Canadian Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-833-456-4566, or contact your local center - contact information can be found here: https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/

- In the USA, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

7 Tips to Making Travel Easier

Travel is honestly one of my favourite topics of conversation.  I'm sure that's not shocking to anyone that knows me and/or has read this blog.  I've been asked before to share some of my tips and tricks for easy travel - here are some of my favourites.  Keep in mind that not all of these are ideal for every trip, so it depends on what kind of travel you're doing, but hopefully you find some good information.

1 - Store your passports somewhere that is easily accessible.... but not TOO easily accessible

• This seems like a confusing tip, but here's what I mean.  Have you ever been in that moment of boarding and you're frantically searching your carry-ons for where you put the passports?  I've been there.  Those are stressful moments.  You don't want to leave your passports too easily accessible, as they can easily be taken from your bags, but you need them close by, how do you handle that?    I use a carry-on bag that has an inside zipper pocket.  I dedicate that pocket to our passports.  

2 - Keep all of your confirmation numbers together.

• Hotels, rental cars, airfare, whatever it may be, even if you have never had issues checking in anywhere before, it's a good idea to keep that information handy.
• If you are someone relies heavily on your phone/tablet/latptop for that information, make sure they are well charged.  Nothing like running in to an issue and realizing your phone is dead and you can't access your confirmation numbers.  Similarly... if the information is stored in an online cloud or email account, make sure internet access won't be an issue.
• I stay "old school "  with this one and I keep hard copies of all of our confirmations.  In fact,  I make a little booklet with all of our booking information in the order we would be accessing each of them.  I also include any hard copy maps/directions we may need as well.

3 - Keep valuables, a tooth brush, hair brush, and extra pair of underwear (and bathing suit... depending on your destination) in your carry-on.

• Sure... the valuables seem like common sense.  But when I suggest the rest, people often look at me like I'm crazy.  It seems like a lot, but if your luggage doesn' arrive with you... those items can be lifesavers.
• Just because you have a direct flight... that doesn't always eliminate the risk of your luggage getting lost or sent to the wrong location.
• This suggestion leads me to my next tip....

4 - If you can, travel with carry-ons only.

• This is a tricky one.  You really have to be a skilled packer to pull this one off.
• Evaluate whether you will have access to laundry facilities on your trip.
• Pay close attention to the baggge size limits.  Don't risk bringing a bag that's too big.
• This does mean more stuff to lug around but the payoff could mean having all of your items with you, no lost luggage, no waiting at luggage carousels, no checking luggage. 

5 - Carry some easily stored snacks in your carry-on/backpack/purse.

• Always handy to have a little snack with you in your carry-on, but make sure your snack complies with airline rules (ie - no liquid treats).
• This doesn't just apply to flying - bringing a snack on a hike, to a park, beach, etc, can be a lifesaver if you run in to any delays.
• Granola bars, gummy snacks or crackers are ideal - try to keep your snack nut free in the event that there is anyone with allergies close by.

6 - Have a plan.

• I'm not saying you should plan every minute of your vacation, but having a general idea of what you're going to do and how you're going to get there.
• While I love technology, it's also good to have a backup plan in the event you don't have access to data/cell service.  Either have some back up hard copies of documents you may need, or have an idea where a library, internet cafe, or other facility where you may be able to access internet if you need to.
• Now while I suggest that having a plan is good, it's also important to.......

7 - Be flexible!

• I cannot stress this one enough.  Things may go wrong, it's important to be able to "roll with the punches" and not let a disruption ruin your whole vacation.
• If you are flying - flights are frequently delayed or cancelled - especially in winter, but even in seemingly good weather.  It's good to keep this information in mind when booking flights.  While it's not fun to spend a couple hours in an airport - it's even less fun to run through a busy airport to arrive at your next gate just to discover you missed the flight.
• If a flight is cancelled - check with the airline to see when you can be re-booked, and make the most of your delay.  If you're at your home airport - maybe you get to go home and double check that you didn't leave anything unlocked, double check you didn't miss anything being packed in your luggage.  If you're not at home - check and see what kind of compensation, if any, the airline is offering - a night in a hotel?  Food vouchers?  Enjoy what you are offered.  It's just another chapter in your adventure.
• Check in to your hotel and it's not what you were expected?  Check with the hotel about changing your accommodations, or what cancellation fees may be if you want to change locations all together.  
• And sometimes, disruptions are just wholly unpleasant.  It's ok to be disappointed or dissatisfied, just look to your next steps and try to move on to something more pleasant.

So those are some of my tips.  Do you have some of your own?  Feel free to share in the comments section or join me on social media to discuss!

Happy travels!

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Life is Hard

The title of this post is hardly a revelation or "aha moment" as some call it.  In fact, many probably read the title of this post and thought "duh... no kidding... tell me something I don't know".  Touché.

I decided to write this post after doing some reminising as I scrolled through some pictures on my social media.  Most of my pictures are of things like beautiful sunsets, fun family vacations, selfies on a good hair day or after a workout, or pictures of school books.  All pretty positive stuff.  Makes sense, right?  Who wants to post pictures of dishes in the sink, the laundry that has piled up, a desk/diningroom table/coffee table after a long night of working, or what you look like mid "ugly cry" when your favourite character dies in the show you are binge watching (sidenote - character deaths affect me way too much... I need guarantees that no one will be killed off the shows I watch).  I digress....

What am I saying here?  What is the point of this post?  My point is that most of us present the positive side of life on social media.  Sure we may share the odd emotional post or rant of the week... but overall... we show the "good stuff... and that's ok.  But this is a reminder that we all have things we struggle with.  Sometimes when I share my school book pictures... I'm actually really stressed about an upcoming exam.  When I share a picture from a hotel room... it may be on a work trip where I'm working long hours away from family.  When I post a workout selfie... it may be the last thing I want to do... but I muster a smile and post anyway.  So why do I do it, you may ask, because those pictures.... despite the fact that there is background stress involved.... remind me that there can be beauty in many moments, even if they are stressful.  They can also act as reminders of how hard I work for the life I have.  They can also push and motivate me to work harder.  And, they can be reminders that we all need a break every once in a while.

So remember... next time you're wondering how someone's life appears so perfect on social media.... we don't know the backstory.  There can be a lot happening "behind the scenes".   We need to be kind to each other, and most of all, be kind to ourselves.

As you may or may not have noticed... I took an extended break from my blog.  Life happens... and the break was necessary.  Posts like this remind me of why I like to blog.  It's therapeutic, cathartic, and helps me gain perspective.

My life is far from perfect, but it's mine and I love it.  Keep following my happy social media posts while keeping in mind that for every picture of a sunset... rest assured there is a full basket of laundry and long hours at the office behind each one.  😀

So as the title says.... life is hard..... but it can also be amazing.  Look for the positive, it helps make the harder moments easier to push through.  And give yourself a break.  No one's life is perfect.... despite what their Instagram account may suggest.