How to Save on Rental Cars

how-to-save-on-rental-cars

This post is reader inspired!  If you’re planning a road trip and don’t want to use your own vehicle, find out how to save on rental cars!  When we’re planning a road trip, we often use rental cars to save wear and tear on our own vehicles!  If you are flying, but need a vehicle once you reach your destination, rental cars are great, too!

Are there coupon codes for rental cars?

The answer is yes, but you actually may not get the biggest savings by using a coupon code.  Coupon codes often come with a lot of restrictions including the dates when they can be used and the types of cars that they can be used on.  They are usually limited to economy or compact vehicles.  I have also noticed that companies will often raise their rates, so once you apply the coupon code, you aren’t saving much and end up paying about the same amount that you would have paid without the coupon code.  If you are interested in finding coupon codes for rental car companies, check out sites like Retailmenot.com

Use your Costco or Sam’s Club membership

If you have a Costco or Sam’s Club membership, check out their travel services area and price rental cars!  The past few times we have rented a car, we have gotten our biggest savings using our Costco membership!

Use a discounted travel site

Use a site that specializes in discounted travel deals such as Hotwire.com or Priceline.com  See what rates they have available or you can name your own price, too!  I have rented several cars using these services and have gotten them from well-known companies such as Hertz and Avis!

Here are some things to remember when renting a car:

  • Read the fine print – Make sure there are no limitations on mileage and that you can travel between states with no penalties
  • Decide what size is right for you – Descriptions of rental car sizes can vary from company to company.  Make sure the car that you’re renting is big enough to accommodate your needs.
  • Make sure your car insurance will cover you – Find out if your car insurance will provide coverage for you while you are driving a rental car.  If not, the rental companies usually offer discounted policies.
  • Fill the car with gas before you return it – Car rental companies charge premium rates (close to $7 per gallon!) if they have to put gas in the car.  I forgot once and I will never make that mistake again!

Kids Skate FREE this summer!

Kids skate free

 

If your kids are out of school for the summer and you’re looking for ways to keep them entertained without busting your budget, check to see if there is a Kids Skate Free program in your area!

Look for a participating location here–> Kids Skate FREE this summer

You can also find out if there is a Kids Bowl Free location in your area–> Kids Bowl Free

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

DIY Flower Flip Flops!

DIY-flower-flip-flops

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE flip flops, and I’m fortunate because in Texas, I can pretty much wear them about nine months out of the year!  My daughter and I made these super cute DIY Flower Flip Flops for 4th of July last year.  It was fun, easy, and best of all CHEAP!

Here’s what you need to make them:

  • Flip flops- you can usually find them for $1 at craft stores or even Old Navy!
  • Stem flowers – $1.99 on average (prices may vary depending on what you choose)
  • Jewels – $3.49 on average (prices may vary..I bought a huge bag to use for other craft projects this summer, so I spent a little bit more)
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Here’s how you make them:

  1. Pull the stem and backing off the flowers and hold it together.  Then, use the glue gun to glue the layers together (I didn’t do this the first time I attempted this project and it was a mess!)
  2. Glue the jewel to the flower and let the glue dry.
  3. Glue the flower onto the flip flops and let it dry and you’re ready to go!

As my kids would say, “easy peasy”  You could also add ribbons, pom poms, bows, and more!

Make sure you grab a Michael’s or Hobby Lobby coupon to save even more!

San Antonio Staycation: Fun and free things to do with kids!

Growing up, my aunt and uncle lived in San Antonio, and some of my favorite vacation memories are from trips to visit them.  Now that I have kids of my own, this is still one of my favorite vacation destinations!  If you live in San Antonio, but haven’t had a chance to see many of the local sights, here are some tips for becoming a tourist in your own city!  If you haven’t visited San Antonio yet and live nearby, here are some great ideas for a day trip or longer!

sea-world-texas-entry

Sea World San Antonio is definitely our top pick for family fun!  We love it so much we get season passes every year! This is where both of my kids rode their first roller coasters, and we never get tired of watching the Shamu show!  For tips on making the most of your trip, check out this post here–> Sea World San Antonio Survival Guide

alamo-trip

If you’re visiting San Antonio for the first time, The Alamo is a must see, but if you’re a local, consider taking a tour of some of the other local missions.  I will never forget my first trip to The Alamo, but I also remember being disappointed that so much of it had been recreated and that it really was nothing like the original version.

Give your kids a more authentic historical experience and take them to visit some of the other local missions. My aunt took me on a tour of them when I was about 8 years old, and I loved it!  (of course, I’ve always been a history buff, too!)  You really do get a feel for how the missions looked when they were originally built and used!

Here are some of the other missions you can visit: admission is FREE!

If you’re looking for more historical places to visit, you can also check out the Spanish Governor’s Palace!  

Here are some other free family activities to check out:

Brackenridge Park  – Brackenridge Park has plenty of options for free family activities!  They’ve got playgrounds, biking and walking trails, it’s a great place for a picnic, and you can even go fishing!  While you’re there, make sure you check out the Japanese Tea Gardens, which are also free to visit!  Adjacent to the park, you’ll find the San Antonio Zoo and your kids would LOVE to explore the park aboard the Eagle Train Ride!  Unfortunately the train ride is only free for kids under 3.  It’s $3.25 for everyone else.

Geocaching at the San Antonio River Walk  – If you live in San Antonio or you’ve visited before, chances are you’ve been to the River Walk.  Experience the River Walk in a new way that your kids will love and do some geocaching!  If you’re not familiar with geocaching, it’s an outdoor treasure hunt!  You use a GPS and coordinates to locate hidden geocache containers!  Find out what’s hidden along the River Walk here–> Geocaching at the San Antonio River Walk

Screen Shot 2013-05-15 at 8.30.50 PM

The Witte Museum – As a “history buff” The Witte Museum was another favorite childhood destination!  See dinosaur bones and mummies, learn about Texas ecology and see real log cabins and other historic homes from around San Antonio!  Children under 3 are always free.  Admission is also free for everyone on Tuesdays from 3-8 p.m.

These activities aren’t free but are worth checking out, too:

Image Credit: VIA Metropolitan Transit

Image Credit: VIA Metropolitan Transit

Looking for a fun new way to explore downtown San Antonio?  Check out the Via Historic Steetcars!  Get a one day pass that is good for unlimited rides for just $4!

You can also take a Rio Taxi, which includes 39 stops along the River Walk or  a River Cruise, which includes a 35 minutes guided tour.  A one way ticket on the Rio Taxi is just $5 and a 24 hour pass is $10. Children 5 and under can ride the river cruise for $2.  Adults are $8.25 and Bexar County Residents, senior citizens, and those with a military ID can ride for just $6!

fiesta-texas

Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio has not one, but TWO theme parks!  If you’re wondering if Six Flags Fiesta Texas is “worth it” if you’ve got younger kids, we took my kids for the first time when they were 3 and 6 and they had a blast!  My daughter the daredevil rode her first BIG rollercoaster there!  There are lots of kid friendly rides plus your kids will love seeing their favorite Looney Toons characters on display!  If you buy 4 season passes online, you’ll pay just $1 more per pass than you would pay for one day admission!  We love going Fright Fest in October and love all of the decorations at Christmas!  Having season passes gives us a great excuse to take a weekend getaway!

Fun Places to Eat

  • Casa Rio Mexican Restaurant – Although there are now plenty of restaurant options along the River Walk, this is the ORIGINAL!  The food along the River Walk is not spectacular, but the atmosphere makes it worthwhile!  Your kids will love being able to eat on the Riverwalk and watch the river cruises go by.
  • Chester’s Burgers  – This place is kid friendly, but adults will love the burgers, too!  Choose from a standard cheeseburger to a green chili burger!  They’ve even got salads (including a hamburger salad?!).  It’s low key and the price is right, too!
  • Dick’s Last Resort  – If you’re easily offended, this is not for you and it’s not really kid friendly, either, but if you’re looking for some adult fun, and you can roll with the punches, check out Dick’s Last Resort!
  • Magic Time Machine – Growing up, I absolutely LOVED this place!  You’ve got themed tables and the wait staff is not only in costume but they play the part, too!  Plus, who can beat a salad bar that’s in a classic car?
  • Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia  – If you’re looking for great Mexican Food, check out Mi Tierra!  Even though the food is awesome, make sure you save room for a visit to their yummy bakery, too!  Or, if you’ve already eaten, stop in for dessert!

If you’ve got time for a quick day trip

If you’ve got time for a quick day trip, here are a few more things my family loves!

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – Enjoy an African Safari Texas style!  This is a drive through wildlife ranch and you can feed zebras, ostriches, and more right from your car!  My kids were too scared to feed the animals the last time we went, but my husband and I loved it, and the kids enjoyed watching us!  Admission is $9 for kids and $17.50 for adults, but it truly is an experience that your children won’t forget!

Natural Bridge Caverns  – Pan for gold, take a historic cavern tour, enjoy the zip lines, and check out the world’s largest bat flight!  This is a unique experience that won’t be forgotten!  There are a variety of tour packages available with prices starting at $11.99 for children 3+ and $19.99 for adults!

NOTE:  There are lots of other great activities to enjoy with your family in San Antonio.  These are just some of my family’s favorites!  I was not compensated for this post in any way.  These are all places that I have visited and enjoyed!

GIVEAWAY: $200 Southwest Airlines gift card!

Skip the STAYcation! Plan a VACATION!? Win a $200 Southwest Airlines Certificate!!! Keep saving money! By following these bargain blogs, you will be given a chance to not only win a $200 Southwest Gift Certificate, but a chance to save lots of money by following our tips and tricks!!! When saving money everyday, you could make it possible to plan the vacation you have wanted! We want to help ONE lucky winner by buying them a $200 Southwest.com Certificate!

You have 14 ways to enter! (Winner may choose another online gift certificate of their choice if there are no additional charges to the sponsors.)

Contest is being sponsored by:

Adventure?s of a Couponista
Coupon Centsation
Couponing to Disney
Crazy Coupon Mommy
The Daily Goodie Bag
Enza?s Bargains
Family Friendly Frugality
Free Sample Momma
Free Samples 2 Fill Up Your Mailbox
Here?s The Deal
I Heart Freebies
Melissa?s Bargains
Mommy?s Money Saving Obsession

1. Like all of our fan pages below and comment with your e-mail address that you did so!
2. The second way to enter is to follow all of us on twitter by clicking the follow buttons on this list HERE. Then enter your e-mail and twitter ID HERE.
3. Go to all of the 12 other blogs who are sponsoring this contest and comment with your e-mail address on their blogs!

Adventures of a Couponista

Coupon Centsation

Couponing To Disney

Crazy Coupon Mommy

The Daily Goodie Bag

Enza’s Bargains

Family Friendly Frugality

Free Sample Momma

Free Samples 2 Fill Up Your Mailbox

Here’s the Deal

I Heart Freebies

Melissa’s Bargains

Mommy’s Money Saving Obsession

BONUS ENTRY:

This promotion is in no way sponsored,
endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Southwest
Airlines. It is sponsored by the 12 blogs listed above only.

Contest will end on Thursday, June 16th, 2011 at 9:00pm CST! Don’t forget to comment below with your e-mail address as one of your many entries!!! Winner will be notified via e-mail and have 48 hours to reply. Must be 18 to enter. US and Canada ONLY.