Balboa Park----Always a Winner!

For those of you who picked up your 50% off passes at Macy's this month, you probably know that this past weekend was the last time to use them (Okay, today counts too, but who goes on a Monday?!).

We were out there touring the Museum of Man at a discounted rate and really enjoying the sunshine. Though cold, there were clear skies and plenty of sun.

Even though the passes are expired and the museum prices seem to be rising every time we visit, I want to remind you of all of the free stuff that can be enjoyed at Balboa Park.

First, there is the Botanical Garden. It is fun to walk through and dream about how your yard could look if you were more motivated and not inherently lazy. (Oh, just me?) There is even a section in the Botanical Garden with plants that you can eat! Fun!

The Botanical Garden is located right behind the Koi Pond, which is always worth a visit. Those fish are huge and entertaining!

Second, the Timkin Art Museum is always free! The artwork is rotated often and you will feel like you did something good for your mind and soul by having just walked through.

Third, there is ample picnicking space! No need to spend a fortune on the food offered at the park, though tamales out of a cart and astronaut ice cream always sound appealing. You can pack a lunch or a snack and enjoy the day. We saw plenty of people napping in the sun, kids playing football, and people munching on goodies.

Fourth, I know this one will sound weird but walk through the Gift Shops. You don't need to pay museum admission to check them out and you don't need to spend money there either. A lot of the time they have interesting books to browse, item similar to those found in the museums themselves, and plenty to touch and see. It's like browsing the mall, only with culture!

Fifth, it's a great place to exercise. I am often craving a different place to get out and move my legs and Balboa Park never disappoints. The Park is very dog friendly and there are lots of awesome buildings, interesting plants, and colorful flowers all over the park.

Sixth, the Art Village! Love it! We walk through there every time and you can see over 30 different artists' nooks and displays. Doesn't cost a penny and there is so much amazing talent out there.

Cheaper Travel Tip #2

All right! Are you ready for my next tip?

Join their team!

That's right! In my last travel tip I suggested signing up for mailing list and liking your favorite places on facebook but if you do your research you can go one step farther. Many places have customer loyalty perks just waiting to be used.

I will remind you that the suggestions I make here are ones that Ben and I have actually used so it's like I am an expert. Many hotels, in particular, will offer discounts and free night stays if you stay with them often.

Vagabond Inn offers the tenth night free AND they are pet friendly! We have stayed with them a number of times and are very close to getting that tenth night.

Best Western offers a night free after three stays with them. We have only stayed at Best Western once in Arizona but we have no complaints.

Sheraton offers a plan called Starwood Points that allows you to earn free nights (among other things) just by staying at their hotels. We stayed at the Sheraton in San Francisco and it was worth every penny (and also pet friendly!).

Of course, the most beneficial to us, has been Alaska Air Miles. Check with your airline to see if they have a frequent flyer program and USE IT!

You may be thinking. "But we don't travel that often. It will take us forever to earn anything free." To that I say, Quit being a poop! It may take months or even years but when you get your free flight or free night in a hotel it will be worth it. Trust me!

You Can Cruise Too!

Warning: This post will discuss our cruise this weekend and will offer very little as far as how to do fun things inexpensively. Sometimes my posts will be more about sharing than offering ideas and this is one those times.


For Christmas this year, Ben and I bought each other a 3 Night Cruise to Ensenada. It was a little bit of a compromise because while Ben likes to travel, after our last cruise of 7 nights, he wasn't quite sure he wanted to spend that much time on a ship again. Thankfully anything over 3 nights was probably out of our budget anyway.



We boarded the Carnival Paradise on Friday and set sail. We had a wonderful time. If you are someone who works too much or travel with someone who works too much, this is a perfect vacation! You see, we didn't have to sit in traffic, read maps or search out the least rundown motel. We just let the ship guide us and even though I am working hard on my Master's and I keep pretty busy, this trip was something Ben really deserved.





For those of you aren't aware, Ben has been working 6 days a week for months now and barely has time to relax. I took great pleasure in seeing him get to lounge, read his book, and eat at buffets (no cooking and no dirty dishes). If I could, I would try to make this happen for Ben as often as possible. He is an amazing guy who will do anything for "us".

Okay, back to the cruise....

In Ensenada we saw La Bufadora, which could be compared to Spouting Horn in Kauai, only bigger!

We were thoroughly harassed by vendors. It was incredibly annoying. They did everything just short of grabbing our arms and yanking us into their little stores. I have never experienced such pressure and I have been to other ports of call in Mexico. Nothing was this awful.

We did get to hold a baby tiger. Let me explain how that came to be. There was a organization with a booth set up that takes care of animals that are abandoned by their parents and they hand raise them. They make money for their cause by letting you take pictures with the animals. We contimplated sneaking him back on the ship but sound minds prevailed.

In the end, we had a wonderful time and I already itching to get back on the ship.

I do have travel advice for you! Cruises are going to cost money and may require some saving to cover the cost BUT if you have a flexible work schedule and can travel on the weekdays, you can get the best deals! For instance, if you look at Carnival's website you will find 3-4 night cruises for under $250 a person. Prefer a longer cruise, if your dates are flexible, you can find 5 night cruises for under $325 a person.
When you consider that all travel expenses are covered (gas, hotel, food, entertainment) you can definitely get your money's worth.

Cheaper Travel Tip #1

I know, just the thought of a vacation sends the credit card farther into debt but let's face it, some of you are going to take a vacation and see something new. Might as well get the best deal.

Ben and I travel often and we usually travel cheap. Vacations are going to cost a fair amount of money but there are ways to make it a little easier on the pocketbook. I have a few suggestions that I will be share throughout the next few weeks. ALL of these suggestions have worked for Ben and I and saved us money.

Here is Cheaper Travel Trip #1!

If there is a some place you like to visit do your research! Go to their websites, join their mailing lists and LIKE them on facebook if they have a page. How does this help?

Well, hotels and airlines often send out e-mails letting you know their latest deals. They will offer deals when you book far in advance. They will offer deals when you book last minute. They will offer deals to return guests. They will offer deals during their off season. They will advertise contests for discounted travel!

AND most of the time you get the deals first if they have a way to contact you.

Here's an example. Ben and I just booked a trip to Vegas. We searched expedia and used all of the e-mails that we had received from our favorite hotels to find the best deal. I noticed that expedia showed the best price at the Sahara so I found them on facebook, liked their page, used their link for facebook fans and saved $30 on our trip. That's $30 less than going through their regular site or expedia!

I am on mailing list for Alaska Travel, Alaska Airlines, Carnival Cruises, Stratosphere, Sahara, and more. Even if you have never been to these places, join their mailing list and you may be there sooner than you think!

Looking for Jake Ryan on Valentine's Day? I found him!

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching and you may be feeling the pressure to find a date. Well, remember dreamy Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles? He's available!

That's right. You can spend the evening with Jake Ryan. AMC Theaters are reviving the John Hughes classic movie for one night only. So worry no more about your Valentine's Day plans, you have a date!

AMC Theaters Brings Back Sixteen Candles

Whether you are looking for a fun Girl's Night Out or you are looking for something inexpensive and fun to do with your significant other this is bound to be one of the best V-Day options out there.

But plan early! Sixteen Candles is only showing at select AMC Theaters and it is only playing at 7pm. Click here for ticket info.

We have our tickets! Do you?

Correction: AMC Theaters is showing 16 Candles on February 13th AND February 14th. So if you have already have Valentine's Day plans you can also go on Sunday evening! Thank you to Ben for pointing this out.

1/2 Price Museums at Balboa Park!

February is Museum Month!

To help you celebrate Macy's and Balboa Park are working together to get you into a museum learning something new. This month you can go into any Macy's and pick up a Museum Pass for no cost. The pass gets you into ANY museum at Balboa Park for 1/2 price! It is good for the ENTIRE month of February and one pass is good for up to four people. It doesn't get better than that.

Okay, free Tuesdays at Balboa Park are better than that. But who makes it there on a Tuesday?!

Check out the details here: Museum Pass

Also, starting on February 12th through May 15, the Museum of Man is featuring Race: Are We So Different? It will look at different cultures, races, and racism. Bound to be a learning experience for the whole family. Please consider stopping in.