Packing up the gear and getting the crew in the minivan is a feat in and of itself, but when you throw in the daunting prices that come with a day of family fun, going out starts to feel like an insurmountable task. Well take heart, these simple tips will help you find a fun and frugal way to spend time with the ones you love.

1. Get discounted museum tickets

Does your brood love the arts? Monet’s Water Lilies may be priceless, but the price tag on admission to museum art exhibits will cost you a pretty penny. Sure, some museums offer a free entrance day and that’s a great way to save some green, but what about the rest of the week? Use magazine subscriptions to receive discounted ticket prices at affiliated museums. Subscribers to The Smithsonian and National Geographic magazines can save up to 30% on the ticket price of museum exhibits just by showing their magazine membership.

2. Know which restaurants have a “kids eat free” incentive

If you’ve dined with a toddler, you’re familiar with their finicky appetite. I love encouraging my kids to try new foods when we eat out, but paying for fare that ends up uneaten is a sure-fire way to dampen my day. How does this mama get her grub on while out and about? I never pay for a kid’s meal. Most fast food chains and restaurants offer a “kids eat free” incentive with the purchase of an adult meal. Even major retail stores like Ikea offer free kids meals at their in-store cafeteria. And remember, coupon stacking isn’t just for grocery stores! You can save even more by using coupons on the purchase of the adult meals.

3. Save money on ticketed events

Taking the family to see the latest Broadway show doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Save money on ticketed events by purchasing tickets from social media resale pages or Craig’s List. Feeling lucky? Many theaters and opera houses will give away unclaimed “will call” seats once the show has started. If you know your clan will attend shows throughout the year, you can save big by purchasing a membership to receive free show tickets through companies like Seat Stir or Fill a Seat.

4. Take advantage of group discounts

There may be strength in numbers, but there are also savings too. Organize a friends and family outing to attend venues that offer group discounts. Groups of 10 or more often qualify for discounted tickets at local parks, zoos, museums and amusement parks. Make arrangements to carpool to save even more on gas and parking expenses.

5. Prepare snacks

Saving money on the go is 90% preparation, 10% perspiration. Keep a well-stocked snack arsenal in your car or diaper bag to stave off any spontaneous hunger pangs. Make sure to include snacks that are a special treat to keep little ones happy and distracted from pricier fare at the concession stands. Tackle boxes make for a compact and entertaining way for little hands to find their favorite nosh.

Does your family love seeing stars? Attend free events like a TV show recording instead of paying for a day at the movies, or save movie dates for special event showings at deeply discounted prices. National movie theater chains like Studio Movie Grill hosts free movie events for families with special needs children and also offers $3 ticket days for their Film Series events. With these money-saving tips in your pocket, your family can enjoy spending time together exploring new sights, and your wallet can sit back and relax.

For some people, a holiday travel is no fun without the company of their four-legged members of the family. Road trip can be stressful, both for you and your pet. With proper planning and preparation, you can ensure a convenient and safe travel for everyone. Traveling with a pet on a road trip takes more than just keeping the animal in the passenger seat and heading out especially if you’ll be driving long distance. Here are some safety tips to help you prepare for a safe car travel with your favorite pet.

1. Ensure that your pets are kept in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. There are different kinds of carriers available in the market including wire mesh, soft-sided and hard plastic. Regardless of the type you choose, make sure it is large enough to allow ample space for your pet to sit, stand, turn around and lie down in. Also, try to make sure your pet gets used to the crate in the comfort of your home before embarking on your trip so as not to make them feel uneasy.
2. Prepare your pets for the long distance travel by taking them on a series of short drives around the city first. Make sure the carrier is well secured so it won’t slide whenever you make a quick stop.
3. Feed your furry friend with a light meal a few hours before motoring-off. Do not feed your pet while on the road trip even if it is a long drive.
4. Do not forget never to leave your pet alone in your parked car regardless of the weather conditions. In hot weather, your pet can develop a heatstroke while in cold weather, the animal can possibly freeze to death.
5. Make sure your pet does not ride with his head sticking outside the vehicle’s window to avoid sustaining serious injury which may be caused by a flying object. Make sure he’s attached to a seat buckle
6. Your pet also has to be medically fit enough for travel. If you are not sure of your pet’s health status, consult an animal doctor to run a check on him. During this process, let the animal doctor know the specific threats that may exist in the destination you’re headed. Make sure the vaccination is current.
7. Use a microchip and a pet tag displaying your phone number on your dog for ease of identification

Please remember to bookmark us, carhirenation.com.au for more travel tips.

Motion sickness can ruin your holiday even before getting to your travel destination. If traveling by car, ferry, train or plane, an ounce of preparation can help prevent motion sickness before its starts. Motion sickness is rare among infants less than 3 years but affects women more than men especially during menstruation and pregnancy. It is caused by incongruence in the sensory systems of the body. Symptoms of motion sickness include dizziness, sweating, acute awareness of the stomach, belching, vomiting and salivation. You can take medications to help overcome motion sickness. Here are some tips and tricks to help relieve the symptoms of motion sickness for an enjoyable trip.

Take control

Not being in the driver’s seat is one of the major factors that causes motion sickness when traveling by car. Passengers of a car are more prone to motion sickness than the driver. This is so because the driver’s brain is working non-stop to control the car. As a driver, you can keep the queasiness at bay. If you are to ride as passenger avoid the back seat rather sit in front, which confers a sense of greater control. If you get so unlucky and find yourself in the back seat, start a conversation with other passengers, or open a source of fresh air to reduce the anxiety of not being in control of the situation.

Eat less

It is highly recommended to consume less food, drinks and alcohol before and during your trip. Food or drinks with strong odors are believed to worsen the symptoms of motion sickness in some individuals.

Position yourself

Choosing a seat where you’ll experience the least motion will help reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. On a plane, the middle area is considered a better position than the wing area. Passengers in the lower level cabins of a ship experience less motion than those in higher cabins. For car passengers, the front seat is a better position.

Pre-treat with ginger

Ginger is considered a natural remedy and an effective preventive measure for motion sickness and vomiting. Taking ginger before traveling can be very useful and effective whenever motion sickness sets in. Before taking ginger to reduce the effect of motion sickness, consult your doctor.

Proper planning and taking effective preventive measures are the key words when it comes to reducing the risk of motion sickness for short and long distance travel.