Here are a few tips to have you soaking up the sun under budget.

1. Get off the beaten path. Skip the obvious hot spots and pick somewhere you’ve always wanted to go besides Cancun, Hawaii, or Disneyland. Most major cities have great attractions for families and national parks are still a great deal for families. (Check out next week’s post for ideas on must-see places for families.)

2. Buy a Citypass. If you’re hitting a big city, then this can save you long lines and lots of cash, and you’ll still see all the main attractions.

3. Subscribe to save. A lot of websites will deliver “the deal of the week” to your email to notify you of good deals on airfare and hotels. Be sure to subscribe to email feeds for airline frequent flier programs, TravelZoo.com, and About.com/budgettravel.

4. Hold out for a good deal. Track airfare rates on sites like Yapta that will alert you to good deals to your favorite destinations.

5. Skip the hotel. Instead of a hotel, consider doing a home exchange, using hotel points (similar to airline miles), or renting a condo or timeshare. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling with a large family and you need more room to spread out and want access to a kitchen to save on food costs.

6. Snack on this. I always pack a small suitcase, full of water bottles and snacks, so we can grab and go at Costco prices instead of becoming a slave to convenience stores. Once the bag is empty at the end of our getaway it’s a great place to stash souvenirs from our trip.

After coming down with the flu far too early this year, I was reminded how much it stinks to drive yourself to the store to pick up items to cure what ails you when you should really be in bed resting instead of spreading germs. Here’s a list of must-have items you should consider having in preparing for and warding off the flu in your home.

1. Stock up on tissues and over-the-counter medicines. Buy the good soft tissues with lotion and your own tried-and-true cold remedies when you spot them on sale. Keep a good supply for that inevitable day when the sniffing and sneezing begin.

2. Grab the Gatorade. In some cases of stomach upset, Gatorade can be a good way to replace electrolytes that have been lost from vomiting and diarrhea. It’s easier to have a few bottles on hand than to have to make a run to the store for this when someone is in need.

3. Consider getting a flu shot. Some people swear by these while others aren’t fond of the toxins that are introduced to your body. You have to do what makes sense for your particular situation, but if you’re on the fence about it, decide now before the vaccines are in short supply.

4. Confine and contain. Once one person comes home feeling achy or has a sore throat, create a “quarantine” area of your home to prevent others from becoming infected. Be sure to clean up high-traffic areas with bacteria killing products such as telephones, light switches, door knobs, and refrigerator doors. These frequently touched shared spots are especially great breeding grounds for germs. Many people are contagious before they even show symptoms so you should try to keep these surfaces clean and practice good hygiene as a preventative measure, too.

5. Teach good hygiene. Everyone should wash their hands with soap and warm water for a long enough period to sing, “Happy Birthday.” Sneezing and coughing into your shoulder and away from others is an easy way to keep germs from spreading.

6. Create a support list. Your home can go from happy and healthy to an infirmary in a heartbeat. Make sure you’ve got easy to access to contact numbers for friends, family, and neighbors who can help you keep the healthy inhabitants of your home up and running even when the only thing running in the rest of your house is a fever.

But for me, my shopping juices begin to salivate when I can begin to see the first signs of Christmas. I like to get a head start on the holiday craziness. It’s not the shopping I love, it’s the act of getting the shopping done that I enjoy. I actually detest the commercialism of Christmas and continually strive to find ways to work around the hoopla surrounding the day.

Several years ago I found myself close to a nervous breakdown because my husband wanted to relax on Christmas Eve. I thought to myself, Relax? Are you kidding? We have so much to do – presents to wrap, stockings to fill, stuff to assemble, food to prepare, and on and on … and on went my list of things that were overwhelming me.

It was after that point that I have truly made a concerted effort to have all of my holiday shopping done before Halloween. Don’t get me wrong. I have found some fantastic deals at the after Thanksgiving sales, but for the most part that really only pays off if you’re shopping for big-ticket items. If that’s the case, you can still purchase other items in advance and wait for one or two pricier gadgets to hit the big sales.

Of course, this is only possible to accomplish with careful planning, organization, and, dare I say it, downsizing of gift buying. I’ve gotten a lot of slack over the years on this particular concept. I have found that Christmas is far more enjoyable for everyone this way. I have to be deliberate in my purchases because I can only pick those things my children really want so I spend a lot more time selecting each gift.

I know my plan works because I enjoy Christmas more than ever and I’ve never heard my children complain about not having a great Christmas. Instead I hear words of joy like, “That’s the exactly what I wanted! How did you know?”

Does finishing your shopping sound like mission impossible? It’s really not. Here are three steps to get you singing “Jingle Bells” before the last leaves fall off the trees.

1. Make a list of all of the people you need to purchase gifts for. Try to consider downsizing or coming up with other ways to give this season, such as homemade gifts, service, etc.

2. Keep a notebook handy to jot down possible gift ideas for special people in your life. If you keep it all written down you’ll be able to make a budget and keep track of what you’ve purchased and what still needs to be done.

3. Find a spot to stash your stuff. I have a few great hiding spots my kids haven’t discovered yet. I even use the garages and closets of friends to keep my kids from snooping around. Don’t forget to write down your secret spot on Santa List so you’ll know where to retrieve come December.

By Ann Springer

My husband and I are both highly competitive by nature so it’s no surprise our children have inherited that same love of friendly rivalry. We’ve decided that regular board game battles are a great outlet at our house. Subsequently we have a large assortment of games which require a smart storage system.

First, we try to place games with lots of small pieces, like Clue or Monopoly, on high shelves. I figure if the game requires adult supervision to play then I think it should require adult supervision to reach the game. Other games such as Boggle and Jenga are kept at a lower level so the kids can easily play a game when they’re looking for an alternative to watching TV.

We also keep a ziplock bag filled with notepads, pens and extra dice in close contact. It seems like it’s always a scramble to locate enough pens and paper for everyone when we’re trying to get game night rolling. Who wants to write down their answers for Scattergories with a broken orange crayon from under the couch? It really doesn’t give you the competitive edge you’re striving for. That’s for sure.

We also keep a basket on a top shelf to temporary give random pieces that get misplaced a home. These are the fun little gems your feet magnetically locate in your home when you get up in the middle of the night with a sick child. When we open up a board game and notice we’ve got a missing piece we always check the mystery basket first to see if that thimble from Monopoly or those extra little pink and blue stick figures from Life are waiting to be retrieved.

Granted, it’s better to not lose the pieces in the first place. So, we try to use as many Ziplock re-sealable baggies to keep our game pieces gathered. No matter how careful you are a game piece will be dropped and roll under the couch, or a child will drop one game while trying to get another down. When these mix-ups happen you’ll find yourself on all fours trying to determine which marble-like pieces go with Mancala and which belong with the Chinese Checkers. It’s bound to happen, so do what you can to minimize the potential mess.

While Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end to summer, it’s actually the start of shoulder season in the travel industry and may be a great time to take a vacation if your schedule is flexible and your budget is not.

The tourism industry has been hit hard by the global recession and deals this fall may be even more stellar than they typically are this time of year. Some experts report fares and bookings going for 40 to 50 percent off in order to lure vacationers.

If you didn’t take the getaway that you had wanted to in 2009, now is the perfect time to shop around and land a great deal. Whether you pull the kids out of school and hit the road or you take off for a romantic getaway now, it’s worth considering. However, there are a few things to think about if you decide to rendezvous in the off-season.

1. Pack for all kinds of weather. The temperature and precipitation can be very unpredictable this time of year depending on where you travel. Hurricane season is still in full swing in some areas, but early snowfall isn’t out the question in other parts either. You may have blistering heat one day and a torrential downpour the next, so you should pack for the worst and hope for best.
2. Check the times and availability of major attractions. Most large tourist attractions are open longer hours during peak tourist times, such as summer, but convert to off-season hours after Labor Day. Be sure to check online when planning your itinerary to be sure your destination for the day is open and running.
3. Don’t forget the sun and the stars. Remember that the days leading up to winter get shorter and shorter. Keep that in mind when you are making plans for a hike through the fall foliage or else it may end up being a night under the stars instead.
4. Be flexible. Off-season is a time when museums change out exhibits, theme parks close rides for maintenance, and other attractions shut down operations on weekdays. Expect these bumps in the road and remember that you’re saving cash and ditching the crowds by traveling during shoulder season.
5. Put indoor activities on your agenda. Even though the weather may be great when you plan your trip, it may be stormy when you arrive. Make sure you seek out activities that allow for fun indoors so you don’t get “rained out” on your trip.

Planning a trip to the 1000 islands?

By Ann Springer

People frequently ask me what products I recommend they purchase to get organized. I think it’s a common misconception that getting organized costs a lot of money. In reality, I think you need a few great, inexpensive products and the motivation to work hard to complete the task.

Below are a few items that can help convert any cluttered and messy room into an organized and deliberately, designed retreat. To begin, you can remove the excuse of a lack of funds from your list of reasons why you haven’t started organizing. All of these items combined total less than $100.

1. Shelving. You can find beautiful and functional floating shelves at any hardware store these days. Shelving frees up space in a room and adds interest on a bare wall. You can use baskets to store away items on the shelving and then intersperse show pieces (candles and small frames photos) amongst the baskets. Closets and garages will double or triple in storage capacity once shelving is installed. Standard shelving can be used in these areas to save money.
2. Baskets. Beautiful baskets in natural textures bring the outdoors in and warm up a room. They also provide a space for storing small items that would otherwise clutter up and overwhelm an area. In the bathroom you could use it to keep beauty products together or hair accessories for young girls. Baskets can be used in an office area to gather papers or supplies. The possibilities are endless. Nice boxes, or attractive plastic bins, can also be used if baskets aren’t your thing or if you’re working in a kid space.
3. Label makers. I love my label maker and feel like no organizational project is complete unless you can find the stuff after you’ve organized it. Attractive labels that actually stick to the storage bin they’re intended for can help you locate objects faster than forging around each bin individually.
4. A trash can. The secret weapon to winning the war against clutter is the trash can. You need it to get the renovation rolling and you need it to maintain minimalism. I can’t think of many rooms in a house that couldn’t benefit from a waste basket. Whether it’s the laundry room, office, a bathroom, or a kid’s room, all have a greater chance of staying orderly if you have a system for disposing of unwanted items.

Even though the retail world has turned the spotlight to Back to School shopping, now is the perfect time to cash in on those clearance racks filled to capacity with bathing suits and Capri pants. Here are my tips for making the most of the clearance sales so you’ll be set for next summer.

1. Buy for now and later. You may find that your kids are short on shorts or have hit a growth spurt and have already grown out of their bathing suit. These summertime items, which normally run $10-20 each, are now reduced by 90 percent and are sometimes as low as $1.99. If your kids are well stocked for this year, consider stocking up for next year. Most of the time you can guesstimate what size your kiddos will be by the next time summer rolls around. It’s also a great time to make purchases on adult apparel, too.
2. Beware of bargains that aren’t such a great deal. Not all clearance racks are created equally. Thirty percent isn’t much of a discount. Dig a little deeper or don’t be afraid to walk away if it’s not in your price range. The whole idea of a clearance rack is that it’s supposed to save you lots of money or it’s just not worth it. Don’t be lured just by the idea of a sale. You have to know what the original price in order to determine if it’s a good enough buy to make the cut. Look for special one-day sales and coupons you can use to get an additional 10 to 50 percent off the clearance price. Those tend be the deals that pay off the most.
3. Stock up on non-clothing essentials, too. Plastic plates and cups, bug spray, beach towels, and sand toys are also filling up clearance sections as stores make space for pencils and papers. Again, those same deep discounts can apply to these seasonal items so keep your eyes peeled for items that you’d like to have on hand next Memorial Day and beyond. Some items, like sunscreen, can expire, so make sure you know an items storage limitations before you purchase them.
4. Tuck it away for safe keeping. Since it will be another nine months before you’re looking for some of these items, you want to store these items somewhere you can find them when you need them again. I store our items in a plastic Rubbermaid tub that I label and then put on a shelf in the garage.

By Ann Springer

School has already commenced in some parts of the country, while others are still preparing for the big day. Returning to the school routine is both a great and dreadful day in many households. It marks the end of the fun summer but also the beginning of a fresh school year full of possibilities.

The back-to-school ritual is also a time that requires a lot of purchasing and preparing, but with the right

preparation you can save both time and money. The smell of freshly picked apples and the sight of school supplies can excite us for the commencement of a new school year, but if we’re not ready for it, it will overwhelm us and squelch us of our energy.

Here are some of the things you can do to prepare for that day that is an American tradition: The First Day of School. Even if you’ve already starting hitting the books again you can still take these steps to make sure the rest of the year goes smoothly.

1. Assess and take inventory. I take stock of every single item of clothing my daughters own, from their socks to their hats. We sort through every drawer and each closet, evaluating each item while we ask ourselves, 1) Does it still fit? 2) Do you wear it? If not, will you wear it ever? and 3) Is it stained, does it have a hole, or is it missing a button? This year I was shocked that we filled two full bags of clothing to be donated or passed down to younger nieces and one full bag of trash! That is one bag of unwanted items per child taking up space in our life.
2. Make a list. Once I’ve whittled each of their wardrobes down to what is actually useable for the coming school year, I make a list of items that we need to purchase.
3. Wash and wear. It’s amazing how an old, crusty pair of tennis shoes or a sticky backpack can look as good as new after a spin through the washing machine. The dryer may damage plastic snaps on backpacks, or add to the wear and tear of other items, so it may be best to let some items air dry.
4. Talk it over. Each year we seem to be adjusting alarm clocks to fit the needs of our schedule for that particular stretch of time. Instead of blurting out the awful early morning hour to my kids I let them count backwards and come to their own conclusion about what time they need to get up in the morning. It’s also a good time to set goals for helping them to become self-reliant in the morning (setting their own clock, showering, making lunch, etc.)
5. Review the rules. My husband and I always set aside the week before school begins to review all of our “Stranger Danger” warnings with the kids. The older they’ve gotten the more detailed we’ve been able to get in these topics. Our children aren’t out of our sight too often, but school is a place where our children are exposed to all kinds of people and things often without our knowledge. It’s a great time to remind them that they can always discuss things with us if they have questions or are confused by things they’ve heard or seen at school.
6. Go out with a bang. Set a date on the calendar amidst all of the busy preparations to have one last day of fun.

By Ann Springer

Piles and piles of new recipes you’ve been wanting to try? Endless cookbooks but no place to store them? Do you have recipes scrolled out on 3 x 5 cards and others torn from the pages of a magazine? Most people have more recipes than they could ever cook in a lifetime, and the Internet has made cookbooks almost obsolete because they make recipes so easy to locate. However, everyone has their tried and true family favorites or recipes that have been passed down for generations that they cherish. The Web won’t replace these classics.

Your desire to try new recipes probably doesn’t match up with your hectic weekly routine and real-life plans. Once you compile them from all the nooks and crannies in the house in which you’ve stashed them, you may realize that you have more recipes than you could possible ever try. It also consumes greater energy to put your brain to use on a new recipe than to just whip up a meal you’ve made a million times.

Before you toss out all of your cookbooks or give up hope that you’ll ever try one of those new recipes that caught your eye, just remember that you need to get organized before you can be a culinary success.

I recommend you begin by streamlining the many recipes you love and compiling them into a three-ring binder. Decorative, fun binders make the final product look more like a cookbook. Or, you can design a cover and slide it in the front pocket. Photocopy each 3 x 5 card or magazine clip out onto a 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper and slide them into protective covers to prevent spills. Use dividers to separate the recipes into categories: appetizers, salads, main dishes, desserts, etc.

Next, take your pile of recipes you’ve been wanting to take for a test spin and carefully sift through them so you are down to the best 25-30 you really want to create in your own kitchen. Place those on the inside from pocket of the binder. As you plan your menu each week, pull out the recipes and choose one recipe you’d like to sample. It’s probably only realistic to choose one day per week that you think you’ll have the time and the energy to devote to it. If you decide it’s a winner you can photocopy it and add it to your personalized cookbook.

While this initial step may take time it’s worth it to have all of your recipes in one place. You’ll never be hunting down Grandma’s Christmas Cookies again amidst the chaos of preparing for the holidays. Or trying to remember which cookbook has the chicken recipe your husband loves. It also makes it easy to make additional copies which make great gifts for friends and family. Imagine all the recipes you can compile over a 20 year period that you can then share with your children as they start their own homes. It will give them the comforts of home even if they’re miles away.