When it comes to frugal vacation ideas, camping is hard to beat. Roughing it is much cheaper than traveling to a destination and shelling out for activities and accommodations. It’s a great way to spend real quality time with the family.
There are some expenses associated with camping. In fact, if you’re not careful, you can end up spending much more than you bargained for. Here are some tips to help keep camping expenses to a minimum.
* Invest in a good tent. You can find cheap tents with ease, but you get what you pay for. Spending the money to get a quality tent that’s big enough for your needs is wise. As long as you take good care of it you won’t have to replace it as soon, so you’ll be much better off in the long run.
* Seek out free camping spots. If you have friends or family members who are landowners, you might be able to talk them into letting you camp out on their property instead of renting space at a campground.
* Bring along plenty of food. You can eat very inexpensively when you go camping, but only if you avoid making runs for fast food and takeout.
* Be sure to store your food properly. A large, well insulated cooler is a must for keeping perishable food and drinks cold. Other food should be kept where animals can’t get to it. Large plastic tubs with snug-fitting lids are great for this purpose.
* Be realistic about what you will eat. If you’re going on a week-long camping trip, you’ll need to plan a little variety. Roasting hot dogs every night or eating cold sandwiches three meals a day gets old fast. Bring along a camp stove or grill and a few different things to cook.
* Consider taking reusable dishes, cups and flatware. Campers usually use paper plates and plastic cups and forks for convenience, but these are unnecessary expenses. If you bring along plenty of water, a camp stove to heat the water and some dishwashing liquid, you can easily wash up the dishes and use them again.
* Bring plenty of things for the kids (and the adults) to do. A long camping trip can get boring if you don’t. Some popular camping pastimes include volleyball, badminton, horseshoes and cards.
* Pack plenty of clothing and blankets. Make sure everyone brings a jacket and a pair or two of long pants, even if it’s hot out. It could get chilly at night. If you have all the clothes and blankets you need, you won’t have to make a trip to get more.
* Don’t forget the first aid kit. You can buy kits at drug or discount stores, or you could make your own. The essentials include band aids, antibiotic ointment, tweezers and needles (for removing splinters), an ace bandage, and a bottle of over-the-counter pain reliever. Also be sure to bring any medications that anyone on the trip may need. These things could save you a trip to the drugstore or doctor.
Camping is usually far less expensive than most outings. And if you keep a close eye on your expenses, you can have a fun vacation for next to nothing.
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We all need to get out and do something different every now and then. Whether it’s summer vacation or just a weekend adventure, a break from the norm does us worlds of good. But it can also be very expensive.
The most popular entertainment destinations usually come with a hefty price tag. Admission to amusement parks and zoos, accommodations and travel expenses can add up in a hurry, especially when you take the kids along. Even less expensive pursuits can cost us more than we realize over time. But with a little imagination, we can find free alternatives to these activities. Here are a few examples.
The Zoo
Kids love going to the zoo. It’s not often that they get to see all those exotic animals up close. But it takes a lot of money to take care of those animals, and the expenses are certainly reflected in the ticket prices. Fortunately, there are ways to get your animal fix for free.
One way is to visit the pet shop. It doesn’t cost anything to look, and most have some rather unusual creatures. Kids can see the animals up close, and can even pet some of them. The biggest drawback is that they may want to take one (or more) home. Instead of shelling out the money on the spot, keep it in mind for a birthday or holiday gift.
If you’re lucky, there may be a zoo in your area that offers free admission. Some large zoos operate with money received from memberships and donations. Smaller petting zoos that are associated with other businesses may also let you in for free. Check a local visitor’s guide or search online to see if there are any free zoos in your area.
Amusement Parks
Amusement parks are among the most popular vacation destinations for children, and they have plenty to offer for adults as well. But ticket prices are often prohibitive, especially for large families. If you’re on a budget, a trip to a local park is a less expensive option.
City parks usually have lots of playground equipment for kids to choose from. You won’t find wild roller coasters there, but you won’t have to worry about long lines or motion sickness, either. Packing a picnic lunch and making a day of it will keep the children happy without a lot of expense.
Nature parks are a good option for the whole family. Some have lakes or rivers that kids can play in, and most have hiking trails. And there are picnic areas where you can stop to eat.
The Bookstore
If you love to read, a trip to the bookstore can get very expensive. It doesn’t cost anything to browse, but avid readers have a hard time resisting that new release from a favorite author. Going to the library eliminates the temptation factor, and if you see a book you like, you can borrow it for free.
Libraries also keep magazines and newspapers. So if you’re interested in something that’s in the latest edition but don’t want to spend the money to buy the whole thing, stop by the library. You can read it there without spending a dime.
Having fun can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Free activities give us the opportunity to do something different without putting a strain on the budget.
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The annuity is a very unique type of investment. Instead of a bank or stock broker, investors obtain annuities through an insurance company. And while annuities have certain things in common with life insurance, they are not the same thing. They offer low risk while providing an opportunity to receive guaranteed income for a given number of years, or even for the rest of your life.
Annuities come in many different flavors. There are immediate annuities, which begin immediately after the annuity is purchased, and deferred annuities, which may begin years or decades later. Fixed period annuities pay out for a specified period of time, while lifetime annuities pay out until the annuity holder (and in some cases the annuity holder’s spouse) dies. Single premium annuities are paid for in one lump sum, and flexible premium annuities are funded by a series of payments over time. And then there are fixed and variable annuities.
Fixed Annuities
Fixed annuities are known for being safe, stable investments. The issuing insurance company guarantees the principal of fixed annuities, as well as a minimum rate of return. Growth in value is fixed at a given interest rate or dollar amount, or determined by a formula disclosed when the investor purchases the annuity.
Growth of fixed annuities is not always limited to the minimum interest rate. When an insurance company experiences unexpectedly high growth on annuity investments, it may pass that growth on to holders of fixed annuities in the form of dividends. Terms and conditions related to such dividends should be outlined in your annuity contract.
Variable Annuities
Variable annuities have more in common with mutual funds than fixed annuities. Money put into a variable annuity is invested in a fund with a particular investment objective. Like retirement accounts, variable annuities usually offer investors a choice of funds with varying degrees of risk.
Unlike fixed annuities, the payments distributed through variable annuities fluctuate according to fund performance. When the fund performs poorly, your payment decreases. When it performs well, it increases. There is no guaranteed rate of interest, and it is possible to lose principal with this type of annuity.
Variable annuities often come with a death benefit. That means that you can designate a beneficiary to receive the greater of your account balance or a guaranteed minimum. This prevents the loss of money invested if you die before withdrawing all of the money in your account.
Fixed and variable annuities each have certain benefits. Which one is best for a given investor depends on his goals and tolerance for risk. If you’re looking for a safe, guaranteed investment, a fixed annuity may be the best choice. If you want to maximize your potential for returns, a variable annuity might be better for you.
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