A little Ford’s Real Hamburgers shout out on Friday (actually, she credits roadfood.com, which is a great site, btw…Hello, Marie’s Do-Nut Shop!) on Fox 40 Morning News when Paul Robins interviewed Amy from “On the go with Amy,” a mother of two who blogs about vacationing on $150 – $200 a day. She offers up some great ideas on making it work including finding activities that are free or inexpensive (walking across the Sundial Bridge in Redding, visiting the Oregon Vortex where balls roll uphill, and strolling through the zoo in Portland). This trip takes them from San Francisco to Seattle.
I discovered a little travel trick of my own recently. When renting a car, try agencies located outside of the airport. If you’re traveling light enough, the cab or shuttle fare is well worth the hassle. I was able to cut $150 off the same reservation at an agency 5 miles from the airport (the same agency, mind you). Fewer taxes, too.
Watch the clip after the jump…
Do you have any cost-saving tips for summer vacationing?
The Sac Rag 
Don’t buy a timeshare!
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Not even in Del Boca Vista!
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I always check Broke-Ass Stuart’s Goddam Website before I head out for the Bay Area, though as you might be able to discern by the name of this site, the activities aren’t always family-friendly. (My kids are all over 18 now so it’s not an issue for us, if we ever travel as a family anymore.)
http://brokeassstuart.com/
But farmers’ and street markets, like the Saturday Market in Portland, are always a good bet. Cheap eats, lots of stuff to look at, and sometimes a good juggling act or free music of varying quality. The trout stall at the farmers’ market by Southside Park is a cheap version of an aquarium for the kids; but if you really want to see exotic fish for free, try Capitol Aquarium at 29th and T St. It’s almost as good as the Steinhart, which at $25 a head makes it almost impossible for families to get in.
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Hotels with the free breakfast buffet are awesome, especially the Marriott family of suite hotels like TownePlace and Spring Hill. You get your waffle on, grab some apples for later and you’re good, especially since this usually means you can get away with a light lunch. I should do a cheap travel blog, I’m sure I have done under $200 including hotel for my family of 5…
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