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frugalfamily by Amanda Miller Allen
Gasoline Use gasbuddy.com to locate the cheapest gas when it’s time for a fill-up. A recent search for a Marietta zip code found regular gas from $3.33 to $3.89 a gallon, a 56-cent difference.
Loyalty Programs, AAA
Hit the ROAD A summer vacation doesn’t have to bust the family’s budget. Here are ways to save.
Chains such as Holiday Inn, Marriott or Best Western have loyalty programs; sign up for free and accumulate points toward a free night with each paid stay, plus be alerted to hotel specials. Some give you additional perks such as free breakfast or late checkout. AAA, the American Automobile Club, has negotiated discounts with many hotels, restaurant, attractions and car rental companies; membership costs $66 a year in Georgia, but could save hundreds. Other benefits include emergency road service for auto trouble, trip planning services and free travel books.
Money-saving Tips Locally, ClarkHoward.com has daily travel deals and other discounts, including airfare sales from Atlanta. Kidventurous.com, named the best family travel blog by Parents magazine in 2011, offers tips and deals specifically for families.
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Stay For Less
Coupons, Discounts Sites such Groupon.com, Livingsocial.com and Entertainment.com offer discount coupons for hotels, restaurants and activities. The convention and visitors’ bureau of the city you’re visiting often has discount coupons for attractions or last-minute hotel deals. For some larger city destinations, Citypass. com has discounts for admission to attractions, and you skip most ticket lines.
14 Atlanta Parent June 2013
A condo or house may be the best deal for families. You can save money over a hotel, when you dine at your home-away-from-home and limit restaurant meals. Plus, you’ll have more room to spread out. Try Vacation Rentals By Owner, vrbo.com, for deals, if you’ll be staying a week or more. Consider renting a house with another family; you’ll both save, plus your children will have built-in playmates. If you’re staying only a night or two at any location, check Expedia.com and Travelocity.com to get an idea of hotel rates or look for bargains at Travelzoo.com, Hotwire. com or Priceline.com. At Hotwire, you’ll see hotel prices but you won’t know which hotel until you book. Some hotels offer a lower “nonrefundable” room rate, discounts for a week’s stay or savings for booking two weeks in advance. Many offer complimentary breakfast. You can often get a better hotel rate than that listed on websites if you call the hotel directly.
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