Vacationing on a budget

How do I budget when on vacation? Great question self, how do YOU do this? Honestly, I am having some trouble with it.

 Looking back over the past year of marriage, Stephen and I had some pretty big trips. We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon, Maui for our one year anniversary and a couple of day trips here and there.

You see, for all these trips, I was employed full time except Maui, which we used my payout from my former jobs vacation days to pay for this. We haven't taken a vacation since I quit my job and I am trying to figure out how to even go about taking one without breaking the bank. I do pull an income, but almost all of the money I bring in besides tithe goes to our savings and emergency fund. We want to have a safe nest egg in case life hands us tons of lemons. So not dipping into the saving or giving up our financial goals is important. 

So how do I take Stephen on a much needed break from his work that's cost efficient and fun? My plan is to go this month to Savannah, GA (about 7 hours away from our home) and enjoy 3 days of  "us" time. If you're like me in this, here are 3 ways to manage to enjoy ourselves without trouble financial issues afterwards.

1. Staying in a hotel that's off the beaten path. 

For us, we don't plan on staying in the hotel room much, besides sleeping. We are spending most of our time exploring, so we don't need the most luxurious hotel in the hot spot of the city. We aren't going to stay in a scary, near abandoned unsafe area, but we don't need the most fantastic hotel ever. 

2. Shop at your local grocery store and pack meals to go. 

I know this is not the most exciting way to have fun, but it can save so much money besides eating out. Most hotel rooms have a mini fridge for cold foods. If not, by non refrigerated foods like bread, bananas and peanut butter for lunches. Simple is key here. Don't spend hours slaving in the kitchen.

3. Make a plan on what activities we want to do ahead of time. 

Making a "plan" can help cut down on costs. If there is a certain  tour we want to go on, we look up coupons before we leave home or cheaper times to go. We also research free things to do that still give us a great experience on vacation. 

 You can apply all three of these ways to save on any trip anywhere and feel good about being smart with your money. 

Our anniversary trip to Maui

Happy Wednesday Ya'll!

This March 10 was our one year anniversary and we were so blessed to be gifted a trip to Maui from my hubby's family. We had the most incredible time and I recommend going if you ever get the chance. I loved every minute of our trip. I loved spending uninterrupted time with my husband, enjoying God's creation and seeing these beautiful Pacific islands. 

We flew out last Saturday and spend 24+ hours traveling to finally arrive at our hotel at midnight Hawaiian time (5:00 am my time). not the easiest traveling, but so worth the distance.  

Our hotel was right off Ka'anapali Beach and we could see two other Hawaiian islands ( Lana'i and Moloka'i) from our room.

Our first full  day, we chilled out at the hotel pool. It was a little cloudy but I still got some sun. We planned out our week, drank pina coladas and ran to the grocery store. We decided to go grocery shopping to save some money. Eating out once a day on the island is crazy expensive, so we didn't want to do it three times a day. Our hotel room had a frig, dishwasher, microwave and dishes so it worked out perfectly. 

Our hotel was stunning.

We drove to to a lavender farm and a winery on the island. 

Our hotel also had some awesome waterfalls in the middle of it. 

I had to take a photo of our feet in the Pacific Ocean. I had touched it once before in San Diego, but this was our first Pacific ocean time together. Cheesy I know, but I love this photo. 

I think we each drank at least one pina colada a day (which if you know us that's A LOT)

Our beach in Ka'anapali. 

Day two we set out for the volcano, lavender farm and the Maui Winery. 

The picture below is the mountain top view from the lavender farm. We did a scavenger hunt while there. If we went to all the spots on our map and got a stamp for visiting them we would get a prize. The prize was  lavender sugar cookies and Oh man were they incredible. We also had lavender tea and coffee and a lavender scone which was so delicious we went back for more. 

 We then stopped by the Maui Winery and tasted pineapple wines.We walked across the street to eat an elk burger (yes, elk, who knew they were on Maui) and it was so good. I'm wondering if they tricked us, but its famous for its elk, so who knows.  

We tried to go up to the Haleakala volcano, but it was rainy and very cloudy so half way up the mountain we turned around. Oh well, guess we will have to go back one day then to see it. 

More of Maui's beautiful mountains. 

The third day we decided to drive the road to Hana. The first part of the trip was incredible. We stopped along the roadside where all the local surfers go. 

Then we came upon Twin Falls. It was about a mile hike along a beautiful path with palm trees, sugar cane and other Hawaiian plants. 

We then got a smoothie from a little cart on the side of the road. I wasn't adventurous enough to try a coconut. 

Bright and early the next morning, we flew to Honolulu for a day and visited Pearl Harbor, the USS Missouri and Wikiki beach.  Okay yall, I HIGHLY recommend visiting Pearl Harbor. My heart melted and I felt such a sense of pride for our nation when visiting. 

We used Hawaiian Discover Tours (LOVED) who took us everywhere.

We first went on the USS Bowfin Submarine (the same submarine used on LOST) and walked around to the museums for Pearl Harbor. 

We took a ferry over to the Arizona. I don't know if I can accurately describe my experience, but it was surreal. To know what happened to those men boys, their bodies still lying with their ship. There are 12 men still alive today, who, when they pass away have the option to be buried with their ship. 

The oil from the ship still leaks. The water smelled strongly of oil and you could see it bubbling up. 

Can you see it in the water? 

The names of those who died December 7, 1941 in Pearl Harbor. Most of these men kids were only 16 or 17 years old. They died not even knowing who or what was attacking them. 

After we left the Arizona and the USS Missouri, we toured around Oahu. 

We ended up in Wikiki before heading back to the airport. Sadly, we didn't get to hang out long, but I did manage to run and take a couple of pictures of the famous beach. 

Look at the blue in the water!

Thursday we had paddle surfing lessons scheduled. I did okay for the most part until the waves got a little choppy and I got motion sick. Stephen did well, except his balance wasn't great so he fell off his board a good bit. 

Then we ended the day with a wonderful luau. 

A view from our hotel of Lana'i. 

We drove the awful Road to Hana. I don't recommend it, but we did see some incredible views. 

Friday we relaxed, had a good meal out and got ready to leave our beautiful anniversary trip. 

We took 2 days to travel back to Alabama. I got to see my cousin who lives in Los Angeles and got back this Sunday night. It was a wonderful trip and I am so thankful to have spent this time with my husband. 

Vacation is a coming and its to....

MAUI!!

What? Maui? YES!!! For our one year anniversary. 

Thanks to some family member's of S, our hotel is gifted to us and were heading out at the end of this month for a week. 

We originally talked about going to Hawaii for our honeymoon, but it didn't work out and went to Jamaica instead which was perfect. It was relaxing, a short flight and in the same time zone. With the wedding, lots of firsts and the stress of it all, it was great to go and not feel like we had to do stuff. 

This time though, were planning on doing it all - surfing, climbing a volcano, scuba diving, luau's - you name it, we plan on doing it! 

We cant wait and I've been planning like crazy to get ready. If anyone has suggestion, please email me! 

I will be having two wonderful ladies guest posting when I am away, so make sure to check back in and get to know them:)

Happy blogging and love you all!