Dancing on the Beach

By Jack J Channing

Without a doubt, many people are going through some tough times right now with the economy. Lots of folks have been laid off from jobs or cut back to minimal hours. Even paying your bills month to month can be problematic. I know this, definitely been through it myself, and I feel terrible every time I hear about another company cutting back jobs, etc. Nonetheless, even in hard times, people need to take some time away from it all and de-stress. Luckily there are still great family vacation ideas and cheap vacation spots that almost anyone can find a way to afford.

A beach vacation can be both amazingly fun and relaxing as well as also being affordable and budget friendly. Sure, you can spring for a 5 star hotel on the beach with room service and daily expensive activities, all the works, but the thing is, you don’t have to do that.

Now, there are a lot of people who think that if you don’t go that route you can’t have any fun. I actually used to have that mindset as well, but it’s just not true.

The truth is that you can have a super vacation on the beach without going further in debt. Yes it can fit into your budget! You can do this on your own but if works really well if you can find some family members or friends to go on with you.

What you need to do is a little research online to see which beach closest to you has the most affordable cabins or beach houses (or even condos) for rent by the week. I mention to find one closest to you so that it is less expensive to drive or fly there. Of course that is optional. Once you find a place, ask family and/or friends to go in with you. If you have enough people you can rent a really nice-sized beach house with multiple bedrooms and rollaways/sofa sleepers, and you’ll be absolutely amazed at how little each person will have to actually spend.

Remember, the more people you invite, the less money each has to spend. You can even make it into a family/friend reunion which is what our family did one year. We were scouring the area for cheap vacation spots and we ended up actually in South Carolina although I am not exactly sure what beach we ended up going to. I recall it was not very crowded and I took a walk on the beach several times a day and hardly would see any people. It was so fun, it’s definitely one of my best vacation memories.

But you know what? I didn’t actually think it would be fun. Boy was I wrong. We went swimming every day, had big family cookouts and grill parties, and sure, we went out to eat occasionally too but we did a lot of cooking at the beach house and saved a ton of money. Because again, if everyone is going in together to buy groceries, it’s super cheap for each person.

You can set up volleyball nets on the beach, roast marshmallows at a bonfire (if allowed), hunt for seashells (I found a bunch of sand dollars), and learn to surf. I was terrible at that but it was fun to try. Just body surf if you don’t have access to a board.

Bring board games and get the whole family involved, maybe even play Crazy 8 or poker for nickels and dimes. I know, I know, you are saying oh man, I need to have my computer, my email, my video games, etc. But you will be absolutely surprised at how much fun and affordable a family beach vacation can be. As cheap vacation spots go, it is one of my favorites. Besides, you’ll probably have access to your computer and email anyway as just about everywhere these days has wireless connection.

However, I would seriously recommend you just put it away for most of the vacation and enjoy spending time with your family. Give it a try, you’ll have a blast and you won’t spend a ton of money. And with some of the money you save, splurge on a fancy meal in a restaurant once or twice.

Affordable family vacations and cheap vacation spots are still possible even in a struggling economy! Go here now: http://www.the-cheap-traveler.com

Find out how to save money on your vacations (including how to get absolute rock bottom prices on airfare, hotels, rental cars, cruises, etc). You won’t believe it!

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By Barbara Dearing

With the proper baby beach gear and a bit of planning, having a baby doesn’t have to mean giving up your coveted trips to the beach. By following these six tips, you and your baby will be enjoying the sun and surf in no time.

1. Make sure you take a proper stroller. With it, you can easily bring everything you need for the afternoon. Without it, you will be taxing both your spirit and your back to haul everything plus the baby across the sand and back again. A jogging stroller, with its convenient basket, works really well for carrying your baby’s beach gear..

2. Pack one beach bag with your belongings such as sunscreen, towel, your book, and reading glasses. Pack a separate bag for the baby’s belongings with diapers, wipes, SPF 50 sunscreen, sunhat, change of clothes, and a few sand toys. Keeping the baby’s beach gear separate from your own makes it so much easier to locate things when you need them.

3. Pack a soft-sided cooler with snacks, water and the baby’s formula. A hungry baby is not a happy baby and if you try to “get by” while at the beach, you will regret it.

4. Skip the beach towel and instead, pack a beach blanket or mat that is large enough to keep your baby comfortable on the sand.

5. Bring along a beach chair for yourself. It will be easy to transport if you slide it over the handle bar of the stroller.

6. Consider a large beach umbrella with an SPF of 50. But even with the added sun protection of an umbrella, you should still slather yourself and the baby with sunscreen.

You should have no trouble packing your jogging stroller with all of these items plus the baby. If your portable beach umbrella comes with a carry case, just sling it over your shoulder. And when you reach the beach, don’t forget it’s easier to pull the stroller backwards through the sand than to try and push it.

Enjoy your trip to the beach!

Barb Dearing is an online writer specializing in family topics. She recommends the following site when shopping for fun beach accessories for you baby:
Baby Beach Gear

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By Jayna Leach

Florida is one of the best places to go on vacation. With its warm climate, sunny beaches, golf courses and exciting nightlife–Florida is a great place. If you add theme parks, turtle watching opportunities and delicious Key Lime Pie to the mix, Florida is a must-see.

What are the top destinations in Florida? Consider visiting Destin, Panama City Beach or Beaches of South Walton. These beach destinations have something for everyone and many things to do.

Top Things to Do in Destin:

- Go parasailing with Just Chute Me!

- Go on an excursion with snorkeling and dolphin sight-seeing

- Visit the shops and restaurants in HarborWalk Village

- Play at the Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park

- See the sea lions, turtles, sharks and eels at the Gulfarium

- Lay on the beach during the day and then enjoy the nightlife on the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk

Top Things to Do in Panama City Beach:

- Take a dolphin tour

- Hop on the pirate-themed Sea Dragon excursion as you eat, drink and be merry with your family

- Spend a day at one of Panama City Beach’s amusement parks

- Get wet at a the Shipwreck Island water park

- Golf at one of Panama City’s many golf courses

- Go scuba diving

Top Things to Do in Beaches of South Walton:

- Take a trip along Scenic Highway 30-A

- Take a stroll down the historic town of DeFuniak Springs

- Rent a bike or a kayak and go exploring

- Spend the day fishing and catch Pompano, Spanish mackerel, Trout or Bluefish

- Visit the Chautauqua Winery for complimentary tours and wine tasting

- Drive to the Eden State Gardens, a mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens

Of course, these are just a few of the many attractions that the Florida Golf Coast has to offer. Destin, Panama City Beach and the Beaches of South Walton are all within an hour of each other, and there are places to stop along the way in Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach and Seagrove Beach.

When visiting the Florida Gulf Coast, relax and enjoy your vacation. There are more than enough activities to keep you busy, but take your time to soak up the sun, shop at the local stores and enjoy the fresh air.

If you are going to be staying in Florida for more than a few days, consider Gulf Coast vacation rentals as alternative accommodations to the typical hotel. For example, there are various golf resorts in Destin, FL , or a Panama City beachfront resort might be a good alternative as well. There are also many beach rentals in Destin Florida as well as Destin Harbor condominium rentals. If you are visiting Florida with your family or with a large group of friends, these alternatives can be less expensive and much nicer. Check out many places to find the lowest price or sign up to have condo deals sent to your email account. There are condos with kitchens, 2-3 private bedrooms, living rooms and balconies for great prices.

Jayna Leach is an expert within the Gulf Coast vacation rental industry. She has experience with Miramar Beach condo rentals and Panama City Beach condominiums.

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By Marilyn Bohn

I remember driving from Oregon to Utah every summer in a small old car. My mom would pack up the back seat with boxes and suitcases and place on the top a mattress. It must have been a crib size as it was a small 1940′s Ford. That is where I rode during the LONG trip. We would play I spy games, sing and I would chatter until I am sure my mom was anxious for the trip to be at its end. This was before freeways so we traveled through every little poe-dunk town and around every river bend so it took much longer that it does today. But kids still are kids and no matter how far the destination, they want to be there NOW.

As a professional home and office organizer I am always looking for ways to simplify and help the clients I work with. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had some driving tips that will make the time go faster, well if not faster at least the tips will take some of the pain out of long distant driving with kids in the car.

How to survive your family summer road trip:

o Stop every so often, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Take a jump rope, a Frisbee or a soccer ball for exercise at rest stops. If you don’t have room for these, let them just run around on the grass, but be sure to keep your eye on them.

o Pack a bag or backpack for each child with stickers, cards, books, hand-held games and activity books.

o Pack some special “surprises” for the little kids, and dole them out every so often. It’ll give them something to look forward to.

o A tired kid is a cranky kid. So take pillows and a blanket so they can snooze when they’ve had enough.

o If everyone will be watching the video player (except, of course, the driver), you might consider buying a car cassette adapter that allows for “surround sound”; if not, individual headphones are a good idea. And don’t rule out books on tape. Libraries provide books on tapes. Parents that use a video player love that their kids are entertained and they don’t have to hear them whine and ask, “Are we there yet”.

o Remember the snacks, but avoid anything too salty or sugary. Remember the paper towels and wipes for easy clean up.

The last thing you want to happen is to have the car break down. Make sure your car is road-ready. Check the air in the tires, add wiper fluid, and be sure to have a flashlight and a first-aid kit in with the luggage.

A few weeks before you start to pack make up a packing list and have it on your computer. Everytime you think of something you need to take jot it down. When it is time to pack, print it off and give a copy to each family member that packs for themselves and they can check off each item as they pack it. Save the list for the next time you travel and add to it if you find you forgot something on this trip.

Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.

Go to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.

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