Carschooling: Don't be 'Fuelish' by letting Gas Prices Spoil your family fun!

FWD FROM CARSCHOOLING http://www.Carschooling.com
Don't Be "Fuelish" By Letting Gas Prices
Spoil Your Family Fun!
Yes, gas prices are high, but don't let them cancel your family's
summer vacation plans.

According to the California Energy Commission retail gasoline prices
have increased an average of $0.87 a gallon since this time last
year. Here's a word problem for your carschooler:

Question: If your summer road trip is 800 miles long and your car
gets an average of 22 miles per gallon, and the cost of gas is $4.24
per gallon, how much will the gas for your road trip cost?

Answer: $154.18.

You'll pay $31.64 more for this year's summer road trip than last
year's. Are you going to tell me you'd cancel a family vacation for
thirty-two bucks? Feast on Ramen for one family meal instead of KFC
and you'll have the extra cash you need.

Want to save more money on your trip? Look for slightly less
expensive lodging. Use Internet data bases (such as All-Hotels.com)
to find hotel and motel chains that offer budget-saving options for
families. Here are some other ideas to consider:

KOA Campgrounds - Enjoy camping for a couple of nights during your
trip. Find a directory of campsites throughout the U.S. and beyond at
the KOA website.

Hosteling International USA - Most people think of hostels as places
for young, single travelers. Today, some hostels cater to traveling
families with private rooms - and play equipment for the kids! Guests
share kitchen and laundry facilities, and some amenities like linens
are available for an additional charge.

H.E.L.M. Travel - Home Exchange & Family Hosting Service For Home
Educated Families. Right now H.E.L.M is offering a free annual
membership for subscribers to Carschooling. Just fill out the
application on the website and write "FREE Annual Membership from
Carschooling" in the comment box. After you submit your application,
you will be taken to another page asking for payment....just ignore
it entirely. Your application will be complete and you'll receive
confirmation within 24-48 hours.
Staying at inexpensive, unusual places can make for some memorable
family adventures that will last a lifetime. When you slow the pace
down by staying at campsites and hostels, you have the luxury of
fewer options to interrupt quality family time. Without electronic
diversions like TV and video games, you can enjoy card and board
games, tell stories around the campfire, sing songs, and learn
together in meaningful ways.

Don't forget to enlist your carscholar's help in saving money for
your trip. Do without a Happy Meal or a Mocha Latte once-a-week to
help pay for gas. Watch a home video instead of going to the movies.
Save gas money now by using this nifty online tool . Just enter your
zip code - and it tells you which gas stations have the lowest prices
in your area. It's updated every evening, so you'll get the lowdown
on the cheapest gas prices available.

You see? There's no need to let the cost of gas prevent you from
investing in your family's fun this summer.

Make the most of every mile!

Diane Flynn Keith, Author of Carschooling

© 2008 Diane Flynn Keith, All Rights Reserved.

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