*This is a collaborative post  

We’d all love to vacation in luxury, tropical five-star resorts, with no regard for how much it costs. But for most of us, that’s not really within budget. The cost of living is going up all over the world, as well as the cost of vacations, and many families are having to scale back their vacations or cancel them altogether.

A family vacation is a great way to get away from your everyday lives and spend time together making memories, so you should try to get away if you can.

Keep reading for some tips on vacation ideas and how to save money when planning yours.



Pick a destination that isn’t obvious

Popular tourist destinations often have price tags to match. They know that they are in high demand and set their rates accordingly, knowing that people will pay it. Instead, look for other places to visit that have the things that are interesting to you. For example, instead of heading off to California or Nevada, think about Arizona nestled in the middle. It has a range of amazing things to do for families of all ages. Check out this article on exciting things to do in Flagstaff, AZ to see if you can find the perfect vacation spot for you and your family.



Travel out of school time with young children

Holiday companies and attractions ramp up their prices during school vacations, knowing that the demand will be higher and that parents don’t have any other choice but to vacation at these times of the year. When you have very young children who aren’t in school yet, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of cheaper prices by traveling during the school year.



Don’t fly direct

Of course, a direct flight is the most convenient, but can also be more expensive. Look into flights with connecting flights that may be cheaper overall than a direct one. 

 

*This is a collaborative post 

A romantic getaway is not just about going on vacation with your significant other, but it’s also about doing something together and spending quality time together without being surrounded by other people in the process. It can be a weekend getaway, or an extended trip. It can also be just a short trip away from the city.



Traits of the best romantic getaways

There are many places to visit in the world, but not all of them are ideal for romantic getaways. The best romantic getaways are those that offer a unique experience, such as a place with an amazing view or a different culture. It could be something as sweet as a small town spot, like the Bird-in-Hand Village Inn and Suites, or jetting off to Paris for the weekend. It’s all about making it intimate and tailored to your taste.


Tips for planning a romantic getaway

Planning a romantic getaway can be a daunting task. There are so many options and the pressure to find the perfect spot can be overwhelming. To make your experience better, consider some of the ideas below. 

Be realistic about what you want out of your getaway. What is important to you? Is it just getting away from work? Or do you need time for yourself and time to reconnect with your significant other?

Figure out what type of vacation you want. Do you want to relax on a beach or do something more active like go hiking or skiing?

Plan ahead by researching destinations, deciding on activities, and booking accommodations early on in advance.


Location matters

Planning a romantic getaway is not an easy task. There are thousands of places to choose from, and it can be overwhelming. With the help of a romantic vacations planner app, you can narrow down your options with ease. The best part about using a romantic vacations planner app is that you don't have to worry about the destination - it does all the work for you! You just need to pick your city and time frame and let the app do its magic.

 *This is a collaborative post

Moving house is a huge undertaking. If you've ever moved homes before, you'll know that it's not an easy process. There are so many things to think about and organize, and there aren't enough hours in a day! If you don't have enough time to get your belongings ready for the move, storage units can be a great help. They offer an affordable solution for residents who need somewhere to keep their excess items while they prepare to move into a new house.



Makes your current home more saleable

If you're thinking of selling your home, using storage units to store your excess belongings will help make your home more saleable. This is because potential buyers don't want to move into a too-full home. A lot of times, home buyers are buying what the house looks like when they see it - not necessarily the home itself. Using storage units will allow potential buyers to walk around your home without feeling overwhelmed. It will also make it easier for movers to transport your belongings when you're ready to sell. 

 

*This is a collaborative post.

A good night's sleep is just as important for a pet as it is for a human. Sleeping on an uncomfortable bed may cause you to wake up feeling drowsy, fatigued, and sore. Maybe you're confused why your dog prefers to rest or sleep on your bed or sofa. So maybe a new dog bed is in order. Here are some tips for picking the perfect bed. 


Prior to purchasing a dog bed, consider the following

There are a plethora of considerations involved in purchasing a new bed or other pieces of furniture, whether for human or non-human. Shape, size, comfort, and sometimes even attractiveness are all key considerations when choosing a dog bed, but there are a few extras to keep in mind. These are the ones I'd like to point out:

Can it be washed, and is the design conducive to cleanliness?

Your pet needs a clean and sanitary environment in which to live and relax. While it's possible that your pet could possibly try to wash its own bedding, the fact remains that your pet is fully reliant upon you for the purchase of a bed that is both simple to clean and free of infections that might harm its health. The dog bed should be able to fit in just about all commercial washers, or it should be broken into washable sections so that it may be cleaned.

Is it long-lasting?

The initial mattresses you purchase for your dog may not be able to keep up with the growing weight of your pet, so you'll have to keep purchasing new ones. You'll still need to prevent regular repairs and replacements even if you get a huge bed in the beginning. Durability is essential. 

Another technique to extend the bed's longevity is to teach your dog how to properly care for it. If you have a pet that likes to chew, you should try to keep it away from the bed's structure or beddings. A well-trained dog is less likely to cause harm to the living area or furniture than an untrained one.

Invest in cozy sheets and pillowcases

Unlike human beds, your dog's bed will not have a mattress; instead, the padding will provide all of the bed's comfort. When a dog sleeps on a bed with minimal padding, it may have the impression that he is outdoors or on the floor. After a good night's sleep, your dog will be irritable and exhausted because of the lack of padding, but with a few more inches of cushioning, your pet wake up energized and happy. In addition to these considerations, you'll also need to take into account your budget, the variety of pets you own, and whether or not they'll be sharing a bed.

Know the weight and length of your pet

An extra-large dog bed is required for dogs weighing more than 120 pounds. Measure your pet's length from the tip of its snout all the way to the end of its tail using a tape measure. Make a note of your dog's weight and length so you don't forget them while you're shopping for new gear.

 

Somehow, it’s that time again - my birthday is less than a month away, so let’s talking wishlist. Honest to goodness, it’s almost all things I’ve wanted for a while and just haven’t gotten yet. So it gets thrown on here. I’ll be 32 this year, and wow, what a world we live in. Wasn’t I just 16?

I’ve wanted an adult trike for a while. I had a bad bike wreck when I was nine, and even though I currently own a bike, trying to ride it is so traumatic and overwhelming. I’d love a fold-up trike, but I’ve found the weight limit to be fairly low on those or they’re ridiculously priced. This Schwinn one isn’t foldable but is particularly dreamy!

Something else I’d love is an adventure camera like a GoPro. I really enjoy getting out and about and would love to create memories and content from explorations. 

I’ve been wanting to start composting for a while. A small countertop bin would be cool to collect inside things, but I’d really need a bigger compost tumbler to have somewhere to dump the countertop bin once it gets full. 

Y’all, maybe it’s tmi but I have the crustiest feet. They’re so dry! I’d love some BabyFeet to soften my feet up. While we’re at it let’s throw some hand softening stuff in there too. 

Inflatable pool for adults? Yup, I think I will. I would love a cool place to chill while I read on the million degree weather this summer!

I’ll never be satisfied until I get my hands on this china cabinet from IKEA. It’s so beautiful and I swear could become an heirloom piece one day. I need this in my life.

I won’t say that I love to order stuff online, but I do order stuff online … a lot. Our front porch isn’t covered, and I would be thrilled to have a package delivery box.

For more than ten years, I’ve wanted to be a roller derby girl. This poses a problem though, because I can’t skate! I just really want my own pair of roller skates so I can learn. Next stop: roller derby.

Another activity I’m really into right now is kayaking, but I’m cheap and don’t want to spend $25 every time I want to go out on the water. I’d love to add a kayak to my recreational collection.

I stay pretty sentient throughout the day, but I try to make my office my *space*, ya know. I’d love a mini floor pedal bike to keep me moving, even if I’m just reading emails.

Lastly, I always love gift cards. Some favorite places right now are coffee places (Revolution Donuts, Starbucks, Dunkin, etc), Home Depot, Framebridge, and Bookshelf Tees. If we’re being honest though, I can find something I like from pretty much anywhere. 

What would you add to your birthday list?