Travel broadens the mind but it’s not likely to make your wallet any fatter. In other words, it’s well worth putting some thought into travelling wisely – and travelling on a budget.

You’ll find all kinds of ‘travel on a budget’ tips out there, but here are three you might not have thought of.


Packing a bag? Don’t rush!
Don’t rush when you’re packing your bags. Seasoned travellers will have a tried-and-tested list of supplies they won’t set off without. The little things can make a huge difference, increasing your independence and helping you resist the temptation to spend when you don’t actually have to.

For example? A small compartmentalised container with some different spices in it can really spice up your cheap & cheerful menu, so you dine on chilli beans one day, curried beans the next, peppered beans the third…

OK, they’re still beans, but that extra dash of originality can make all the difference between sticking to your rations and blowing valuable cash on take-aways because you can’t bear the thought of another meal that’s identical to yesterday’s.


In a car? Don’t drive solo!
Most cars have five seats in them, so it’s a bit of a shame if you’re wasting those seats – instead of filling at least one of them with a petrol-paying passenger. Two of you can travel for half the price; three of your for a third and four of you for [Read more…]

For some people, vacation is the one time of the year that they really cut loose. Pulled away from the
concerns and schedule restrictions of daily life, it is a vacationer’s one job to have the best time they
possibly can. So the idea of putting together a detailed budget for your vacation travel may seem like
booking a romantic weekend with your tax accountant. What happened to letting it all hang out, to
celebrating irresponsibility, to focusing on unforgettable experiences and lasting memories, not dollars
and cents? Well, at some point you’re going to have to face reality. Unless you’re Bill Gates, money will
always be a concern, and you can’t simply ignore it because you’re going on vacation. So how can you set a
travel budget that not only helps you come home with your bottom line intact, but even adds to the fun of
your vacation?

A budget will help you define your priorities. Do you want to experience a five star hotel, or would you
rather have money left over for that Jeep tour of the outback? Expensive spa day, or surf lessons? First
class airfare, or an extra two days in paradise? Locking in a budget for your trip will help you get to
know what elements of a vacation are the most important to you. It may help you narrow down vacation
destinations, decide whether to plan yourself or go with a travel agent, or even help uncover new travel
ideas you’d never even considered. Think about the above examples. If your destination is far away and
the flight is lengthy, traveling in first or business class may be very important. You wouldn’t want to show
up in paradise with an achy neck and devastating jet lag. But if the flight is short, perhaps you’re better
off spending your dollars elsewhere. As far as the hotel is concerned, think about how much time you’re
actually going to spend there. If lounging around the hotel with lunch served on a private [Read more…]

Sorry for the lack of posting! 🙂 This week, as most of you know, is NY Toy Fair, where I am hanging out to “get the deets” on all the best and most fabulous toys, games, and collectibles this year. I’m also meeting some bloggers face to face, which has been a fun and fantastic experience, yay! Just a few with some captions- I’ll give you more details later when the show is over 🙂 Just to whet your appetite for what’s to come!

OK- so some of my thus-far favorites…

National Geographic Dino Dig by Uncle Milton

How great is this? Education meet super fun….and dinosaurs! This is a teacher’s dream! Homeschooling mommies, are you awake? LOL. I love this, I’m so happy that a great company like National Geographic has partnered with Uncle Milton to create these. You can dig, you can discover, you can excavate….you are your own paleontologist. Plus there is all the dino learning fun facts. LOVE.

La Dee Da Dolls- fashion, creativity, and travel inspired….need I say more???? Yes! I do!
These adorable dolls are APPROPRIATE- they are not the typical skanky and body disproportionate dolls that make me feel like they encourage eating disorders and body dysmorphic [Read more…]

During this week long trip, we saw all sorts of creatures from beluga whales to seals. One thing we DIDN’T see were lights and any other influences from modern civilization- it was a beautiful, wonderful time to be out in nature. Just a few people on their kayaks, a few packs of food, and tents. The end. Not for kids, perhaps- but “sometimes you just gotta get away”, as [Read more…]