Happy Friday: Planning for Road Trips All Year Long

By Bryn | Operations Manager

May 13, 2016 @ 5:00 PM MDT

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Happy Friday Road Trips

Sent from reader, Maggie:

Here’s how I save money and keep kids happy on road trips!! One thing I’ve realized with couponing is that you have to get the deals when they’re available! Sometimes the use of those items onlinees later but having a stash is so helpful.

Throughout the year when I see deals, whether it is a clearance craft kit or an extreme 90% holiday clearance item (that is not even holiday!), I buy those small items to save for summer road trips. Whether it is a few hours to camping, an hour to a wedding or an even longer road trip, onlinee summer I have all kinds of goodies to keep the kids busy. Stickers, craft kits, treats and little trinkets keep the kids busy and excited as we drive to our destination. I slowly hand them out as they get bored and antsy. Knowing I paid under a dollar for things worth much more is great and of course, the kids love the fun stuff!

Road Trip

I also get road trip food deals, watching expiration dates. I watch CVS deals on their items, Target cartwheel deals on snacks and of course coupons to get snacks for the road at a nice price!

I keep my road trip items together and when it’s time to go somewhere I grab what I need. It’s nice not to have to go out and buy items at a higher price before a trip.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

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Join The Discussion

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Jamie May 13, 2016 at 5:13 pm MST

This 🙌🏻

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Kristie May 13, 2016 at 5:18 pm MST

I do this for my kids on road trips! I throw them all in a bin or make individual brown bags for each hour of the trip with an activity and a drink/snack! It works great!

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Lizzie May 13, 2016 at 5:27 pm MST

I usually give each of my kids a bag filled with goodies too. But I give it to them as soon as we leave and before you know it crayons are everywhere! A bag for each kid every hour or 2 could work! Thanks for the idea. And those brown bags are so cheap too!

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AMF May 13, 2016 at 5:45 pm MST

These is a great idea. Thank you for sharing.

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J May 13, 2016 at 6:00 pm MST

I do this as well! I have a bin of free or cheap items that we can use for road trips or even just “I’m bored!” 😊

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🌻CBNurse🌻 May 13, 2016 at 6:08 pm MST

I do this too! I put the goodies I find in a shoe sized bin with a lid to contain the mess. I also collect year round for operation christmas child!

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Diana C. May 13, 2016 at 6:26 pm MST

Great idea!!

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Nicole May 13, 2016 at 6:27 pm MST

What a great idea! Love it! 😀👏

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Christy May 13, 2016 at 7:01 pm MST

I also keep a bag of all those little things that my kids get from parties, teachers, kids meals (only if they are wrapped in plastic), etc. and throw them in a road trip bag. That way if they get lost, it’s not a big deal at all and they are thrilled to recall the event where they got it from!

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MommySpendsLess May 13, 2016 at 7:36 pm MST

Great idea! I used to do something similar for my daughter for holidays – by the time Easter or Christmas rolled around her basket/stocking were all set… When she was young it worked great, I could afford to do more and it was stress-free and cheaper for me.

I tried to make sure the characters/toys were fairly classic (not from a super hot/fast fizzle movie promotion). But this past Easter I had 2 Barbie outfits, 2 Easter Chelsea dolls, a stationary set, coloring book, and magic pen activity pad – all Barbie themed – stockpiled… And a 6.5yo that onlinepletely dislikes Barbie. I guess my lessons learned are make sure the stuff is not character specific, don’t stockpile too much of a single theme and don’t purchase too far ahead.

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Erin May 14, 2016 at 4:41 am MST

So true–Great tips!

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5pink1blue May 14, 2016 at 5:49 am MST

Yes, but now you can use some of those items for a birthday gift for a birthday party?

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Lauren May 13, 2016 at 7:52 pm MST

Awesome work! I remember my parents used to do something similar for my sister and me. Every hour of a road trip that we were well-behaved, we got to pick one item out of our goody bag to play with/eat for the next hour. We were angels because we never wanted to watch our sibling play with their new treat while we didn’t get one!

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JenniferS May 13, 2016 at 9:50 pm MST

Lauren your parents were brilliant with their goodie bag as a reward for good behavior.

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Happymama May 14, 2016 at 6:53 am MST

That is a great idea! I may use that this…thanks!

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Uk2002 May 13, 2016 at 9:26 pm MST

Great idea!!! Love this!!!

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Mary May 13, 2016 at 10:22 pm MST

Will keep in mind! Thank you for sharing

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Jen May 13, 2016 at 10:28 pm MST

Just an FYI for anyone that has these…the Olaf in the picture has been recalled by the manufacturer, so you may want to contact them. But great idea and sorry to be a buzz kill, I just don’t want anyone getting hurt

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Happymama May 14, 2016 at 6:48 am MST

Love this! Thanks for sharing! When we were kids and traveled 600 + miles to grandma’s house, we each packed a back pack that would kept us busy for the long trip. Now when we travel, I pull all new toys from my stash (most of them are deals from Hip2Save!) to keep my teen and toddler busy. I found a digital camera on clearance at Meijer yesterday and plan to give it to my 3 yr old so she can take her own pics on vacation! There is something special in photos that kids take 🙂

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Gindy May 14, 2016 at 7:08 am MST

What a great idea! Thanks for posting!😊

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AMH May 14, 2016 at 8:44 am MST

I don’t have kids but in my weekend bag I keep a toiletry kit stocked with a toothbrush (not the one I use at home), sanitary supplies, travel toiletries, etc . Before I start packing I check over everything to make sure it’s in order. So nice not to have to remember those things.

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