Don't Let Gas Prices Cancel Carschooling Fun!
Don't Be "Fuelish" By Letting Gas Prices Spoil Your Family Fun!
Yes, gas prices are high, but don't let them cancel your family's summer vacation plans.
According to the California Energy Commission retail gasoline prices have increased an average of $0.87 a gallon since this time last year. Here's a word problem for your carschooler:
Question: If your summer road trip is 800 miles long and your car gets an average of 22 miles per gallon, and the cost of gas is $4.24 per gallon, how much will the gas for your road trip cost?
Answer: $154.18.
You'll pay $31.64 more for this year's summer road trip than last year's. Are you going to tell me you'd cancel a family vacation for thirty-two bucks? Feast on Ramen for one family meal instead of KFC and you'll have the extra cash you need.
Want to save more money on your trip? Look for slightly less expensive lodging. Use Internet data bases (such as All-Hotels) to find hotel and motel chains that offer budget-saving options for families.
Here are some other ideas to consider:
- KOA Campgrounds — Enjoy camping for a couple of nights during your trip. Find a directory of campsites throughout the U.S. and beyond at the KOA website.
- Hosteling International USA — Most people think of hostels as places for young, single travelers. Today, some hostels cater to traveling families with private rooms - and play equipment for the kids! Guests share kitchen and laundry facilities, and some amenities like linens are available for an additional charge.
- H.E.L.M. Travel — Home Exchange & Family Hosting Service For Home Educated Families. Right now H.E.L.M is offering a free annual membership for subscribers to Carschooling. Just fill out the application on the website and write "FREE Annual Membership from Carschooling" in the comment box. After you submit your application, you will be taken to another page asking for payment....just ignore it entirely. Your application will be complete and you'll receive confirmation within 24-48 hours.
Staying at inexpensive, unusual places can make for some memorable family adventures that will last a lifetime. When you slow the pace down by staying at campsites and hostels, you have the luxury of fewer options to interrupt quality family time. Without electronic diversions like TV and video games, you can enjoy card and board games, tell stories around the campfire, sing songs, and learn together in meaningful ways.
Don't forget to enlist your carscholar's help in saving money for your trip. Do without a Happy Meal or a Mocha Latte once-a-week to help pay for gas. Watch a home video instead of going to the movies. Save gas money now by using this nifty online tool. Just enter your zip code - and it tells you which gas stations have the lowest prices in your area. It's updated every evening, so you'll get the lowdown on the cheapest gas prices available.
You see? There's no need to let the cost of gas prevent you from investing in your family's fun this summer.
Make the most of every mile!
Diane Flynn Keith,
Author of Carschooling
© 2008 Diane Flynn Keith, All Rights Reserved.
Diane Flynn Keith publishes the rave-reviewed Carschooling® ezine with 5,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to have more fun learning with your children while you're in the car, on the road - get your FREE subscription to Carschooling® now.
