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Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

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Guest post - 4 tips to using coupons wiselyThough I am not a newbie at discount traveling, I question myself when checking discount sites wondering if I’m getting a good deal. Since I don’t routinely check travel prices, I depend on others who enjoy researching and posting about fantastic getaways. 

Today’s guest post comes from Rod Tolentino over on Discount Queens. He gives not only 5 places to go, but also a pricing guide to stay with our budgets.

The prices listed are per person traveling which I love. If I set my destination to one of these places, save our pennies, and see a deal that falls within Rod’s research, then I know it’s a great deal which saves my family money, energy, and time.

Now prepare yourself for Rod’s traveling guide to these 5 cheap thrill destinations. You might want to get out your bucket list before reading. Enjoy! – Tracy

Cheap Thrills: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: RiDOE

Are you looking for a cheap yet relaxing place to spend your weekends, holidays, or summer vacations? Most women are fond of planning these kinds of getaways. They are interested in cheap deals that would keep them busy even during the holidays. They enjoy looking at great pictures of places where they could have a breath of fresh air.

Today, websites and magazines are constantly writing stories about beautiful places in the world. They have different reviews on how much a traveler would ideally spend on each trip. It usually gives a person an idea on whether it would fit their budget or not.

It is easier to check out places using search engines, since a lot of us have mastered the use of the Internet. One can find a variety of cheap vacation packages by just browsing the World Wide Web. Whether you are going for beach outings, extreme sport adventures, or just having some quality time with family and friends, there are cheap travel packages that people, especially women would surely love.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Greg Kintz)

1. Beach Getaways at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Are you a beach lover? Then Myrtle Beach would be the best place to hang out. This long stretch of beach resort includes a lot of establishments along the shore where people drink and dine. Children can also enjoy the water parks scattered along the area.

Hotel accommodations would not be a problem. There are transient houses and cheap hotel rooms where a group of people could stay. A lot of great attraction places could be visited without having to spend too much money. From spa salons to amusement parks, it would be a good place to visit even on a limited budget.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

2. A Fancy Visit to London, England

Are you one of those people who embrace historical traditions of other place’s culture? You can now have this one-of-a-kind experience in London.

London is a city with a great history. There are a lot of museums where travelers could learn how this beautiful city came about. Many performing art venues can be visited, for those who love to watch theatrical plays.

A relaxing view awaits people who visit the city. They could dine and enjoy their tea in exquisite yet affordable restaurants along the streets of the city.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Gregory Moine)

3. Enjoy the Energetic Lights of Las Vegas

The City of Lights in the United States, Las Vegas, has become one of the most visited places where people enjoy and have fun. From casinos to restaurants, people enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Taking in a show, riding a gondola through the hotel, or playing casino games, you can enjoy the brightness and energy found in Las Vegas. Even with a budget of $100-$200 for a weekend getaway, Las Vegas would rightfully fit the range.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Prismatico)

4. Invading Cape Town, South Africa

This is the city perfect for adventure-packed holiday vacations: Cape Town, South Africa. For nature-lovers, Cape Town offers many scenic views that people could enjoy. There are also resorts that accommodate people who love watching and doing extreme sports.

Mountain hiking is a perfect activity in Cape Town’s mountain ranges. The wild rivers in the city would give water-sport lovers rafting to enjoy.

Many websites are offering great packages for a fun-filled Cape Town adventure. These packages would range from as low as $200 up to $300.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Flickr (HarshLight)

5. Great Weekend at Florida

Aside from its beautiful beaches, people love visiting Florida for a lot of reasons. Florida is one of the places where people enjoy relaxed surroundings. From Disney World and museums to cheap walking tour packages, Florida is filled with many places to visit.

There are also a lot of cheap hotel accommodations that one could check out. This would be a good way of enjoying without having to spend a lot of money.

One does not need to spend a fortune to be able to visit places around the world. With even a tight budget, you could still get a fun-filled weekend or holiday vacation with your family or friends. Allot your budget, find a place to visit, and enjoy your vacation!

Rod Tolentino is a writer and a content manager for Discount Queens and offers advice to make couponing work for everyone, no matter the situation or motivation, from novice to pro. 

Thanks, Rod, for doing the research for us. I’ve got one of these destinations on my agenda this summer. ~ Tracy

Question: What about you, did you add any destinations to your bucket list?

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: 76¢ Deal – July 13, 2013

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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: 76¢ Deal - July 13, 2013

Photograph Credit: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Happy 76th Birthday, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!

In celebration of their birthday, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is offering customers a 76¢ deal all day on Saturday, July 13, 2013.

When you purchase one dozen of original glazed doughnuts, you can get a second dozen of the original glazed doughnuts for 76¢.

My favorite part about visiting Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is watching the doughnut process. A new Krispy Kreme Doughnuts location opened near our school this year.

This store installed a glass wall from ceiling to floor where all the doughnuts are made. I get mesmerized watching the entire operation while my children enjoy choosing one doughnut and following it through the process.

With a sale and a show, we might snag a fun family activity on Saturday. The hardest part for me will be declining the doughnuts. In keeping my sugar intake down, I am finally seeing some progress on my healthy journey. However, that is subject of another post because healthy and doughnuts don’t really go together, especially when celebrating a birthday.

Happy birthday, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!

Chick-fil-A: Cow Appreciation Day – July 12, 2013

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Chick-fil-A: Cow Appreciation Day – July 12, 2013

Photograph Credit: Chick-fil-A

Get your cow gear ready because Friday, July 12, 2013 is Chick-fil-A’s annual Cow Appreciation Day. Don’t be shy! This is a great event for pictures and lots of laughs. Those who do not dress up stand out among the herd. 🙂

If you dress from head to hoof in cow attire, then Chick-fil-A will reward you with a free meal. Not quite ready to do a full costume? Well, you can still score a free entree with partial cow attire (e.g., shirt, hat, tail, etc.).

This event is one of my family’s favorites as my children would love to eat at Chick-fil-A every day. We have a running joke in our house because any time our children have loose teeth, they lose them the day we visit a Chick-fil-A.

I’m sure it is because we routinely meet friends for lunch or chill for a family dinner at Chick-fil-A. However, our children especially ask to visit Chick-fil-A when they have a loose tooth.

Appreciating the CowsIn case you need some inspiration for your cow costume, our herd was captured on film in 2011 and 2012. I waited for a sale on t-shirts and painted our own. For Christmas last year, my parents gave us Chick-fil-A cow bells. So, those will be a new addition this year.

Looking for an easy costume, then use what you have around the house. We did this for the first few years until we realized this was an annual event that we planned to do each year. Once it was a permanent activity, then we invested money, energy, and time into our costumes.

You can also download the Chick-fil-A Cow Starter Kit. Print out the parts and place them on cardboard, poster board, or stick them to your clothes. If you do the latter, you might want to safety pin the items as they will fall off with tape. (I speak from experience, as we were constantly picking up parts of our costumes when we taped them to ourselves. It was fun, but a bit of a hassle.)

The research is done. You have one week, so get mooo-ving. Oh, Chick-fil-A employees enjoy any cow jargon you can give with your order as well. 😉 Cow Appreciation Day is really fun spending time with friends and family, watching others, and enjoying a free meal or entrée for your investment of time. Happy appreciating the cows!

7-Eleven Day Dance Party – July 11, 2013

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7-Eleven Day Dance Party – July 11, 2013

Photograph Credit: 7-Eleven

What will you do for a FREE small Slurpee drink? On July 11, 2013, participating 7-Eleven stores are hosting a 7-Eleven Day Dance Party from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

To get your FREE small Slurpee drink, you need to:

  1. Create your own Slurpee dance
  2. Record it
  3. Upload it on Facebook and add @Slurpee or Twitter and add #SlurpeeDance
  4. Go to 7-Eleven on July 11th to get your FREE small Slurpee drink

If you need some inspiration, 7-Eleven has created a Slurpee Dance. You can watch the video, the how-to guide, and get bonus footage.

This offer is only available on July 11, 2013 at participating 7-Eleven stores while supplies last. Dance until you get it or until you fall over laughing while trying!

Bob Evans: Kids Eat Free Weekdays During July

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Bob Evans: Kids Eat Free Weekdays during July

Photograph Credit: Bob Evans

Every weekday from 2:00 p.m. to close, Bob Evans restaurants will grant a free kid’s meal with the purchase of each adult entree throughout the month of July.

As a family-style restaurant with Tuesday evenings Family Night, Bob Evan’s locations welcome families to their tables.

Though we have Bob Evans restaurants locally and my coupon binder is filled with kids eat free offers, our family has visited one or two times for family gatherings.

I remember the food tasting well. We have not returned as there are so many restaurant options between our home and that location.

If you are looking for a good home-cooked meal, especially if you are traveling during July, then check for a Bob Evans at dinner time. Enjoy spending time with those you love!