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A Jersey Girl’s Ode to the Jersey Shore

“’Cause down the shore everything’s all right.” ---Tom Waits, JERSEY GIRL Some see the Jersey Shore as a travel destination, a place to take the family for a couple of...

Best Advice for Planning Your Summer Vacation

Planning your family vacation can be overwhelming--where to go, what to do, how to get there, you name it. There are a lot of details to planning a summer vacation....

5 Summer Vacation Ideas for Teens

Teens sometimes get a bad rap. People think they’re hard to please and harder to travel with. But the key to traveling with teens—and keeping the whole family happy—is to...

May 27 Twitter Party: Summer Travel Planning

Summertime's almost here – time to start planning your summer travels! We've taken the guesswork out of your planning by seeking out advice from top family travel writers from across...

Summer Fun at Midwest Lake Resorts

Midwest winters can seem endless. The payoff? Perfect summer temperatures! Each year I vow to savor every minute of the warm weather. Although I can’t put everything on hold, I...

Stress-Free Travel is Right Under Your Nose

Air travel can be stressful nowadays with long lines, flight delays and cramped seating.  Add luggage, children, strollers and even pets to the mix and you have a veritable powder...

Summer Vacation at the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia

Summer vacations for some families mean active adventures, while for others the summer is a perfect time to start exploring college campuses.  Imagine being able to do both in one...

2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: More Space, Luxury, and Better Gas Mileage, Too

Thomas Jefferson advised the we should have a revolution every 20 years. He meant government, but the idea applies to anything: If we don’t continually rethink how we do what...

Join In Our Instagram #TMOMphoto Meme

This month we are hosting our first Traveling Moms Instagram meme and we would love to have you join in the fun!

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Family Travel Experts

Family Travel Stories and Ideas

Follow the Honey
Discovery TravelingmomFollow the Honey

There’s a reason “Follow the Honey,” in Cambridge, Massachusetts is not just a simple honey store. For founder and owner, anning, traveling the world on her personal journey led her to open a shop filled with honey stories to tell, and products with a conscience.

In Search of Healing an [ ... ]

21 Not-To-Miss Brunch Places in Chicago
Foodie TravelingMom21 Not-To-Miss Brunch Places in Chicago

Must we trade brunch dates and Bloody Mary’s for barely edible pancakes and sippy cups once we have kids? Hardly. Chicago restaurateurs, many of whom now claim the title of parents themselves, know how to host a good brunch which welcomes us and our progeny. Unlike some downtown areas which only  [ ... ]

8 Things to Do When Visiting Memphis, Tennessee
Missouri TravelingMom8 Things to Do When Visiting Memphis, Tennessee

For those living in the middle of Missouri, there are only a few options for hitting the "big city" -- St. Louis, Mo., or Memphis, Tenn. Last spring, my gal pal Jessie and I chose to visit Memphis for the first time. 

Our trip to Memphis might be one of the most unorganized trips I've ever take [ ... ]

Big Top Candy Shop in Austin, Texas
Texas TravelingMomBig Top Candy Shop in Austin, Texas

I’m a sucker for an old-fashioned candy shop. I just love the candy-filled bins, the drugstore-feel complete with a bar and soda jerk…it makes everyone feel like a kid. With unique treats like Elvis Bark and chocolate-covered bacon, the Big Top Candy Shop in Austin, Texas is a fun treat for any  [ ... ]

A Close Encounter with Devil's Tower, WY
World TravelingMomA Close Encounter with Devil's Tower, WY

When planning out your summer road trip don't overlook Devil's Tower, Wyoming. It is one of my favorite side trips and possibly one of the most overlooked National Parks. 

The first time I drove through Wyoming was in the summer of 1981 on a road trip with my my Mom. Somehow, in a pre-Internet  [ ... ]

Summer Fun: Vegetarian Travel to NYC
Vegetarian TravelingMomSummer Fun: Vegetarian Travel to NYC

Vegetarian travel gets easier in the summer, when farmers markets and their bounteous produce draw tourists and local chefs. Summer is also know for outdoor eating, and New York City has one of the best (I’m slightly biased) eating extravagnzas, orgasburg. Actually, make that two. Smorgasburg ha [ ... ]

Experiencing the Everglades by Airboat
TravelingMom with TeensExperiencing the Everglades by Airboat

You could visit South Florida without paying homage to the Everglades, but why would you want to? And paying proper homage to the Florida Everglades requires an airboat ride.

5 Financial Things to Do Before You Go On Vacation

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travelchecklistHeading out on vacation?  While you are busy packing and reconfirming your reservations, there are also a few financial things you should do to make sure you don't face any problems during or after your trip.

Check the expiration dates on your drivers' license, passport, credit cards, and any other travel documents you'll be using.  While you can sometimes get on your flight with an expired ID (emphasis on the sometimes), you will not be able to rent a car.  Yes, I'm writing from first-hand experience with this!  This can completely ruin your family vacation, especially if you are the only adult traveling.  Keep in mind that registries often do not let you know in advance when your license is about to expire.

Make sure you pay all of your bills by their due dates.  If not, you may be faced with some major late fees.  Where possible, also pay bills that are due several days after you return.  When you come back from vacation, you may not want, or have time, to pay bills right away.

Check with your cell phone provider and your bank to see if what texting, data, phone call, and ATM fees will be at your destination (assuming you are traveling oversees).

Let your credit card company know you are traveling, especially if you are going to several destinations.  Otherwise, they may start declining your card as a security precaution.  It can be a huge hassle to call the credit card company to reinstate your card, once you are on vacation.

Check with your credit card and car insurance company to see what type of car rental insurance you'll need.  Often, you are already covered and will not need to purchase supplemental insurance.  But, that's not a decision you'll want to make at the car rental counter.

What other financial things do you take care of before heading on vacation?

 

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Author Profile: Finance TravelingMom  - Website

Jodi Grundig, our TravelingFinance Mom is a multitasking mommy - a part-time stay-at-home mom, a part-time director of finance, writer, blogger, editor, twitterer, and 2009 Walt Disney World Moms Panelist. Born in Massachusetts, she grew up in Rhode Island but now calls Boston home.

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#2 Jodi 2012-01-16 11:30
Cindy - we've had it happen on our honeymoon too. It definitely does happen!

Jodi - Finance TMOM
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#1 Cindy 2012-01-15 15:33
These are great suggestions. I have had both credit card problems--being questioned about overseas expenditures because I didn't let the company know I would be traveling in Italy and coming home to late fees because I missed a bill.
I now always call before I leave and I have set up auto payments so at least the minimum due gets paid each money, regardless of where I am in the world.
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Family Freebies

Five Free Family Friendly Attractions in Skagway, Alaska
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