Our $10 March Break Entertainment Budget

It's coming....March Break!! Children are cheering and parents are groaning but with a little planning it doesn't have to be a week filled with expensive outings to keep the kids entertained. Here's our plan for the March Break (note that this is in addition to our regular grocery and gas budget for the week). Be sure to check in the actual week of to see how we are doing! In no particular order here are our activities for the week. Some days may involve more than one activity.
1. Visit the public library. COST: FREE
Most libraries will have a special selection of events during March Break, everything from story time to crafts, to Lego building and cyber camp. Even just a change of scenery and some new books and puzzles can help to break up the week and there is something for every age group from babies to teens. Our local library already has their schedule of events up (my kids are interested in quite a few so looks like we will be there a fair amount!)
2. Play Time at McD's. COST: $2
My kids love to play in the PlayPlace at McDonalds. We normally go early (pre 10am) when it is far less crowded and get a coffee and muffin combo (we eat a full breakfast at home first). The kids share the muffin as a treat and mom gets to enjoy the coffee while they play. If your budget allows by all means you can spend more then the $2 I have listed here but it is possible to visit without spending a fortune. Our rule is that when the coffee is empty it's time to go and the boys have usually had enough sliding and climbing and are ready for a new activity.
3. The Bulk Food Store: COST: $2
Ever since they were toddlers my boys have LOVED to go to the Bulk Food store. It always amazes me how they hang onto their loonie with pride and take their time walking the lines of bins to decide. Sometimes they choose to spend it all on one treat, other times they split it up into many little bags of treats. Its a great way to break up the day with an outing, learn about money and weights and enjoy the rewards afterwards!
4. The OEYC:  COST: FREE
Our local Early Years Centre is a great opportunity for kids of all ages to learn through play both with parents and peers. If you have never visited there are a ton of activities to keep little hands busy from arts and crafts, playdough, lego, toys, music, and circle time.
5. Have a picnic: COST: included in grocery budget
We usually incorporate a mini "cooking class" into picnic day. We begin by decorating "chef hats" and then the kids help me to create their picnic. It's a wonderful opportunity to have them help in the kitchen and also practice some fine motor skills. We cut fruit and cheese into bite sized pieces, use cookie cutters on our sandwiches and of course there is usually something special for dessert! Then we lay out a blanket in the living room and set up our picnic. While they eat I read them a story :)
6. Visit someone special: COST: FREE 
Take the time to visit someone special over March Break. Grandma and Grandpa, nana or a favourite aunt or friend.
7. Have a theme day: COST: FREE
We haven't picked our theme yet but some ideas include tropical, superheros, wild animals, dinosaurs, etc. We spend some time learning about our theme, dressing up and pretending!
8. Go for an ice cream: COST: $4 Even if its a blizzard outside going somewhere for an ice cream date is sure to bring some smiles. I suggest following this special outing with some time at the park or outside building snowmen/forts to help burn off that steam!
9. Craft Day: COST:$2 
We have a fairly large supply of craft supplies on hand but I know that my boys always love to pick a wooden item to paint and decorate from the Dollar Store. They also add various decorations such as beads and buttons, pom poms and ribbon. In addition to their painting activity we will also do some spring Easter crafts such as toilet paper roll bunnies and tulips from empty egg cartons.
10. One or more of the following ideas: Depending on the weather additional activities might include a visit to the park, head to the Peterborough Zoo, baking, visit indigo/chapters for one of their free events, March break program at the legislative assembly go Ontario, the Durham region astronomical association: event at opg, Free March Break Fun at Lansdowne Place.

Be sure to check in to see how our week went! I would love to hear your ideas for free or cheap family fun for the March Break holiday! Share them on the Kawartha Bargains Facebook Page here. 

Preparing For Spring Vacation

With yet another weekend filled with cold and snow we are looking forward to our spring vacation. Travel is something that we decided a few years ago was something that we absolutely had to work into our budget (more to come on how we do that) and we typically take a trip somewhere a bit warmer in the springtime. It helps to get us through those long Canadian winters!

This year we are headed to Florida and yes, there will be a day at Disney's Magic Kingdom included! I'm not sure who is more excited, me or the boys!

The Change Jar: We use a change jar to collect our trips spending money. Year round we put loose change into a jar (I suggest duct taping the lid on so that it takes away the temptation to dip into it). When its full we roll it and take it to the bank and change it in for US then resume filling the jar. By switching it into US right away it again takes away the temptation to spend it. We set a budget on how much spending money we want and once we have hit that goal we start saving for the next trip. The change jar can also be a great way to save up for other household things, like a big purchase or paying off debt. By skipping a takeout coffee (or meal) once a week, holding a yard sale, selling extra items on Kijiji or local Facebook groups or saving money on your grocery bill with coupons those little bits add up over time.

Book on a Deal: We ALWAYS book our vacation on a deal. Whether you are cruising, going to Disney or just hitting the beach there will be some sort of deal that you can take advantage of to suit your budget.  Currently Disney has a special where you can save up to 25% on select rooms for travel between March 29, 2015-June 15, 2015. The specific resort that we wanted to stay at was not part of this deal but we are a part of Best Western Rewards so we will save money on hotels during our drive to and from Florida. Additionally the extra money we save by driving vs flying we put towards staying at our preferred resort choice (more to come on that!)

Drive if you can: This may not be an option for everyone but you can save a SIGNIFICANT amount of money if you drive versus fly (especially if you have a large family). Even with young children this is the option we prefer, I will have an entire post coming shortly about Road Trips with Kids.

How do you save money on travel? Is it something you do frequently? Wish you could do more of? I would love to hear your tips, stop by the Facebook Page to leave a comment!

Gosh It's Been Quiet Around Here!

I apologize for all of the crickets that you have been hearing around here lately! Quite frankly at the end of 2013 I wasn't sure where I was headed with Kawartha Bargains. There are so many great sites and groups out there that offer weekly deals and coupon matchups, amazing hauls, etc. I knew that I really wanted to focus on Kawartha Beads and with two little kids I just wasn't able to keep up to date with all those amazing specials like I knew readers would want. Several times I almost shut down Kawartha Bargains but a little voice just wouldn't let me.
So if you are looking for weekly coupon matchups, sales, etc. there are a number of great sites to choose from. Two of my fav's are a local Facebook Group (if you are in the City of Kawartha Lakes, ON) called The Savy Spending Money Savers and one of my favourite blogs Simply Frugal.
As for Kawartha Bargains I am going to focus more on how we save money and the number one thing we like to do with those savings....travel! So stay tuned for lots of new and exciting posts to come. In the meantime stop by the Kawartha Bargains Facebook Page where I will spend this week reposting the Top 10 most popular posts up til now!