Digital Media Academy Summer Camps: Save up to $200!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Digital Media Academy and US Family Guide. All opinions are mine.

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Summer is about halfway over here.  If your kids are starting to get to that point where they’re complaining about being bored and driving you and each other crazy, check out these amazing Digital Media Academy Summer camps!  At DMA, kids (ages 6-12) and teens (ages 12-17) learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more!

Right now, you can save BIG (up to $200 off) on these popular summer programs!  Check out the discount codes here for savings at a location near you–> Digital Media Academy coupons

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Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more.   Digital Media Academy also offers STEM camps just for girls, called Made by Girls! Learn from a female role model and tech professional in an environment of creative girls just like you!

Choose from one week DMA Camps, or step it up with two week DMA Academies, all taught by industry experts and tech professionals.  Hurry, save up to $200 with discount codes found here –> Digital Media Academy discounts

See you this summer at Digital Media Academy! #CreateTheNext

Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org.

Moody Gardens Galveston Island SpongeBob SubPants Adventure now open!

I received a 4 pack of tickets to visit Moody Gardens and the new Nickelodeon SpongeBob SubPants adventure with my family.  All opinions are 100% mine.  Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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If you haven’t visited Moody Gardens before, add it to your summer bucket list!  It’s one of my family’s FAVORITE places!  This tropical destination is ideal for families and groups alike. At Moody Gardens, you can experience life at the Rainforest Pyramid featuring an assortment of exotic and endangered plants and animals from the rainforests of the world. Explore the Aquarium Pyramid, where you can meet a real penguin in our Penguin Encounter. Then, tour traveling exhibits at the Discovery Museum and immerse yourself at the MG3D, 4D and Ridefilm theaters. Plus, you can enjoy beautiful Galveston Bay on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat and a little summer fun on the new lazy river at beautiful Palm Beach. Extend your stay and check out the  four-diamond Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center.

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While you’re there, make sure you check out the new SpongeBob SubPants Adventure at the Discover Pyramid!  Dive into adventure on a submarine voyage along with SpongeBob and all your Bikini Bottom friends! On this wild and silly deep-sea expedition, YOU choose the destination and YOU interact with your hapless captain — Patrick Star!

In Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SubPants Adventure, you’ll plunge into a world of immersive 3D media, a torrent of special effects and nonstop whirlwind of surprises! With an improvised, real time interaction with Patrick Star, and varying destinations including Jelly Fish Fields, Goo Lagoon, Rock Bottom & Sandy’s Tree Dome, your adventure is never the same twice!

Save Up to $12 on Moody Gardens Admission

Great news!  My readers can save up to $12 off Mood Gardens regular admission!  Present this coupon at any Moody Gardens Ticket Booth for your discounted tickets–> Moody Gardens coupon

Use code 964 and the coupon is valid for up to 6 people!

 

Beat Summer Boredom with KVPAC Summer Camps!

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My kids have been out of school for less than two weeks and I’m already starting to hear “Mom, I’m bored.”  I tried to plan fun things for us to do each day, but they miss the structure that comes with school and they miss being around other kids.  If you’re looking for ways to beat summer boredom, Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center is offering weekly summer camps!  They’ve got something for all interests including acting, modeling, voice, and art exploration!  There are different themes and classes for kids ranging in age from 3 to 17 each week!

Click here to see the full schedule–> KVPAC Summer Camp Schedule

Beat Summer Boredom with KVPAC Summer Camps

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  • Classes meet Half-Day Monday-Friday (9 am-12 pm or 1 pm-4 pm)
  • Your child can attend a full day (two separate classes) and will bring a sack lunch and receive supervision in between classes
  • A one week class is $162 for members and $180 for everyone else
  • All registrants will receive a Papa Murphy’s Pizza coupon Card ($40 value)

I think my daughter would LOVE the theater options that are available.  Your kids have the opportunity to be a part of productions such as Pocahontas, Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, or Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  I think my son would love to check out some of the art classes.  They’ve got general painting and watercolor classes and themed classes that focus on dragons, robots, pirates, and more!  Craft projects are included!

During the school year, you often have to make a full year commitment to activities, which can be very costly, especially if your child decides that they don’t enjoy what they are doing.  This is a great opportunity for your child to explore their talents in a low pressure setting without the financial commitment.  I have several friends whose children have attended classes here and they have had great experiences!  Plus, it gives you a chance to get some of those projects on your to do list done without the kids following you around (maybe it’s time to clean out the bedrooms and closets!)

You can also beat the summer boredom by attending a Summer Broadway Performance as a family!  They will have The Music Man, Sleeping Beauty, Summer Camp the Musical, Rumpelstiltskin, Pocahontas, and Joseph and the Amazing Technical Dreamcoat.  Tickets are just $6 each, which is less than the cost of a movie ticket!  This is definitely on our summer bucket list!

Enroll your kids today–> KVPAC Summer Camp Enrollment

Which classes will your kids be attending?

DISCLAIMER:  I was provided with theater tickets for my family in exchange for writing this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.  Please refer to my disclosure policy for additional information.

 

Summer of 2014 Staycation Travel Guide!

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Summer is almost here!  One way to save money is to plan a staycation!  If you’re looking for ways to enjoy your city on a budget, check out the Summer of 2014 Staycation Travel Guide!  You’ll also find budget friendly tourist attractions in other cities you may be visiting this summer!

Here are some tips for saving money on your next vacation:

Here are some of my staycation tips:

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Summer of 2014 Staycation Travel Guide

A – D

Phoenix-Metro, Arizona ~ Mom Endeavors
Scottsdale, Arizona ~ Saving For Someday
Tucson, Arizona ~ Desert Chica Ramblings
Bentonville, Arkansas ~ This Sweet Life
Fullerton, California ~ More with Less Today
San Diego, California ~ Southern Cali Saver.com
Denver, Colorado ~ Bargain Blessings
Washington, District of Columbia ~ Kidventurous

F – I

Jacksonville, Florida ~ Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida ~ The Educators’ Spin On It
Tallahassee, Florida ~ SwagGrabber
Tampa, Florida ~ Not Consumed
Chicago (and suburbs), Illinois ~ A Savings WOW!
Chicago, Illinois ~ Entertaining Chicago
Fort Wayne, Indiana ~ Simplified Saving
Indianapolis, Indiana ~ Chaos Is Bliss
Des Moines, Iowa ~ Eat, Play, Love Des Moines

K – P

Northern Kentucky (Boone, Kenton, Campbell Co) ~ Simply Sherryl
Annapolis, Maryland ~ The Happy Housewife
Boston, Massachusetts ~ Maven of Savin
Grand Rapids, Michigan ~ Give Me Neither
Metro Detroit, Michigan ~ Saving Dollars and Sense
Oakland County, Michigan ~ Everyday Savvy
South Haven, Michigan ~ Bargain Briana
Twin Cities, Minnesota ~ Creative Couponing
Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas ~ Kosher on a Budget
Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas ~ Kansas City Mamas
Southern Missouri ~ Getting Freedom
Omaha, Nebraska ~ Family Fun in Omaha
Reno (& Northern), Nevada ~ Premeditated Leftovers
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York ~ Anns’ Entitled Life
Syracuse, New York ~ I am THAt Lady
Cincinnati, Ohio ~ Adventure mom
Columbus, Ohio ~ Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio ~ Savings Lifestyle
Northeast Ohio ~ Raising Lifelong Learners
Northeast Ohio (Canton, Akron, Cleveland) ~ Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
North Central Oklahoma ~ From this Kitchen Table
Portland, Oregon ~ Frugal Living NW
Erie, Pennsylvania ~ Growing Kids Ministry
Harrisburg/Central, Pennsylvania ~ Family Balance Sheet
Lancaster, Pennsylvania ~ Pandora’s Deals
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ~ The Coupon High
Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) ~ Bucktown Bargains

R – W

Providence, Rhode Island ~ Everyday Family Living
Beaufort, South Carolina ~ Kathys Cluttered Mind
Chattanooga, Tennessee ~ Living Chic on the Cheap
Nashville, Tennessee ~ The Hands-On Homeschooler
Arlington, Texas ~ Baby Boomer Rants
Bryan/College Station, Texas ~ How to Homeschool My Child
Dallas, Texas ~ Surviving The Stores
Fort Worth, Texas ~ Coupons and Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas ~ Melissa’s Bargains
Katy, Texas ~ Moms Confession
Rio Grande Valley (McAllen), Texas ~ iLoveMy5Kids
Salt Lake City, Utah ~ Teach Beside Me
Charlottesville, Virginia ~ How to Have it All
Richmond, Virginia ~ Vacation Maybe
Williamsburg, Virginia ~ The Talking Suitcase
Seattle, Washington ~ Thrifty NW Mom
Oshkosh, Wisconsin ~ A Little Bit of This and That

How to save money on hotel rooms

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If you’re planning a vacation, the cost of hotel rooms can quickly add up, here are some ways that you can save money on hotel rooms!

Make sure you also check out my post about how to save on rental cars here–> How to save money on rental cars

How to Save Money on Hotel Rooms

1.  Be flexible in your travel dates – If you have flexibility in your travel dates, many hotel websites have an option where you can look at a calendar and see the rates for each day.  This will help you select the best travel time, especially if there’s a specific hotel you’re interested him.

2.  Sign up for hotel loyalty programs – If you have a favorite hotel chain, make sure you sign up for their hotel loyalty program.  They will send out special offers throughout the year where you can get discounted rates or earn extra points.  Plus, with your points, you can earn free rooms!

3.  Ask about discounts – Many hotel chains offer discounts to AAA and AARP members as well as discounts for seniors and military.  It never hurts to ask if you don’t see the information on their website!

4.  Consider discounted travel sites – Travel sites like Priceline.com allow you to set your own rates to try to claim a hotel room.  You can also get discounted rates through Hotwire.com.  Using this service, you can choose a hotel rating (1-5 stars), but you won’t know the actual hotel until you complete your purchase.  To get an idea about what hotels are available and the going rates through discounted travel sites check out Bidding for Travel–> Bidding for Travel

5.  Check out Group Deal sites – Groupon has an entire section dedicated to Getaways!  You can score rooms at resort hotels for rock bottom prices!  Just make sure you read the fine print details before purchasing.  Sometimes there are restrictions, date exclusions, and expiration dates!  Check it out here–> Groupon Getaways

6.  Consider the amenities – Check out the amenities when booking a room.  Does the hotel offer free parking or do you have to pay for parking?  Do kids stay free?  Do they include free breakfast?  Is there a refrigerator where you can store snacks or a kitchen?  Do you get free Wi-Fi?

When we’re traveling with our kids, we always look for places where kids stay free and we prefer places where we can get free breakfast, too!  One of our favorite places to stay as a family is in Drury Hotelswhich are located in the southern states because kids stay free, you get free breakfast, there are free sodas and popcorn as a mid-day snack, and there is an evening Kickstart that has doubled as “dinner” for us a few times!  Plus, we can often get a suite (which means that we don’t have to go to bed when the kids to go bed) for the same price as a regular room at other locations.  And no, they didn’t pay me anything to say that!  I just wanted to share that we’ve found some great deals there!

How do you save money on hotel rooms?  What is your favorite hotel chain?

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information