We’re excited to share some ideas for pennywise family travel that you’ll enjoy! As much as we all love to travel, we’re the first to admit, sometimes it’s a little challenging with kids. Longer trips can be tough; we have more loo breaks and feeding a huge family can cost an arm and a leg. For those who travel with kids, here’s ten tips that’ll help save your money and your sanity, while creating an unforgettable experience for everyone.
‘… save your money …’
1. Plan Travel into the future.
The further out you plan your trip, the more prepared you will be. Give yourself time to think about what you will wear, what you will eat, what types of things you will want to do, etc.
‘…more prepared…‘
2. Pack snacks for kids travelling
Hungry kids never make for good times, pack snacks that will keep them from getting too hungry between meals. This will save lots of money because grabbing snacks while ‘on the go’ can become very expensive.
‘…keep them from getting too hungry…’
3. Plan picnic lunches and run around breaks for travelling kids.
Plan a picnic at a rest area where the kids can run and play, or stop for bathroom breaks at a park or visitor’s centre that has a built-in play area. You save money by not eating out, and you keep your sanity intact by allowing the kids to burn off their extra energy before your journey continues.
‘… burn off extra energy ..’
4. Make travel fun for the kids
Play games such as Travel Bingo, the licence plate ABC game, 20 questions and you’ll notice you can travel a whole hour without whining, arguing or any other misbehaviours. You can reward good behaviour with a snack, a piece of gum or candy, they will love it.
‘… reward good behaviour …’
5. Save travel electronics for when you’re desperate.
Instead of starting a trip with electronics in hand, let your kids play thoughtful games, read books, or listen to music. Then when they start being restless, bring out the electronics, they are easily distracted with a movie and you give yourselves another hour or two of uninterrupted travel time.
“… easily distracted …”
6. Take an extra outfit or two in your check in luggage when you travel.
It is always a good idea to take an extra outfit or two, if someone gets sick or extremely dirty, you’ll have fresh clothes and won’t need to break your travel budget by having to run to the store for extra outfits.
“. . . won’t break your travel budget . . . “
7. Have extra clothes in your carry-on when travelling.
We’ve heard horror stories about lost luggage, and can only imagine how expensive it would be to arrive for a week’s trip with only the clothes on our backs. Can you imagine how much money it would cost to buy a whole week’s worth of clothes for the family? A lot! Whenever you fly take extra clothes in your carry-on. If the unthinkable happens, you will still be clothed.
” . . . only the clothes on our backs . . . “
8. Gives the kids some trip ownership when travelling.
Before you leave, do some research together to see what there is to do around your destination, let them point out some of the things that interest them. Or if your itinerary is already set in stone, allow them to pick where you will eat for dinner. However you do it, make them feel important and valued, and let them have a say. Encourage them to save their money for the trip or earn extra money around the house to save for an outing of their choice. This teaches them the value of money while instilling an age-appropriate appreciation for sticking to a budget, even on holiday.
“. . . feel important and valued . . . “
9. Travel rewards for good behaviour.
Long trips can be stressful on everyone, little ones included. Find ways to reward good behaviour, different things work with different age groups. A goodie bag filled with treats or money is an excellent idea, you can reward your kids for each hour of good behaviour during long trips.
“. . . reward your kids . . . “
10. Gives kids their own travel spending money.
By giving kids a little bit of their own spending money, enables them to make their own decisions about what’s important to them. They can spend it on a tangible memento or a cool experience. But, most importantly, that decision is up to them. Will they make some poor choices at first? Absolutely, but they will learn from their mistakes, recognize the value of money and learn to wait on some things so they can spend on what is most important to them. This also allows you to save money because you aren’t buying little things left and right.
The popularity of working out at-home has rapidly grown. This is due to the convenience, accessibility, and shifting fitness scene. In this post we take a look at the trends shaping the rise of at-home workouts and tips to help make the most of home fitness routines.
‘…convenience, accessibility, and shifting fitness scene make a difference…’
The Advancement of At-Home Workouts
The rise of digital fitness platforms, advanced home gym equipment, and the move towards remote work have all contributed to the rising trend of at-home workouts. With virtual fitness classes, personalized training apps, and online workout communities, we now have many options to stay active from the comfort of our homes. This has made fitness more accessible and convenient for people of all fitness levels.
‘…many options to stay active from our homes…‘
The advantages of At-Home Workouts
Convenience is the highest plus with at-home workouts, it removes the need to commute to a gym and allows us to save time by fitting exercise into our daily routines. Investing in home gym equipment or subscribing to online fitness platforms can be more economical in the long run compared to gym memberships. Working out at home is also a private and comfortable setting, free from distractions. Additionally, the flexibility of working out at-home allows us to choose workout times and routines based on personal preferences.
‘…free from distractions…’
Trends in At-Home Fitness
Online training, with certified instructors leading real-time classes with guidance and motivation while simulating a group workout from home has become popular. The development of smart home gym equipment tracks performance metrics, provides interactive workouts, and offers personalized training programs. Hybrid workouts combine elements of strength training, cardio, and yoga to cater for various fitness goals and preferences. Online fitness communities are fostering a sense of camaraderie and accountability among participants through challenges, group workouts, and social interactions.
‘…fostering a sense of camaraderie…’
Tips that Maximize At-Home Workouts
Creating a dedicated home workout space equipped with essential gear and sufficient space for movement helps set the stage for productive exercise sessions. It’s important to start realistic fitness goals tailored to our abilities and schedule to stay encouraged and track progress effectively. Combining variety into workouts by trying different exercises and formats prevents boredom and targets different muscle groups effectively. Consistency is crucial, so establishing a regular workout schedule that aligns with your daily routine can help build a sustainable exercise habit over time. Prioritizing recovery by allowing adequate rest days between intense workouts, hydrating properly, prioritizing sleep, and incorporating stretching for muscle recovery is essential for overall well-being.
‘…prevents boredom and targets different muscle groups…’
Picking the Right Equipment
When selecting fitness equipment for home workouts, it’s important to consider space availability, budget, and fitness goals. Opting for versatile and reliable equipment ensures a well-rounded exercise experience tailored to individual needs. When shopping for equipment, choose sleek and compact designs that fit seamlessly into your home settings.
Embracing the Future of Fitness
As at-home workouts continue to gain momentum in the fitness industry, embracing this trend offers unparalleled flexibility, convenience, and customization in fitness journeys. By staying informed about emerging trends, leveraging technology for enhanced training experiences, and adopting best practices for at-home exercise routines, you can optimize your fitness outcomes while enjoying the comfort and convenience of working out from home.
“… you can optimize your fitness outcomes …”
By starting your at-home workouts you too can join the movement towards at-home fitness and discover a new world of possibilities to achieve your health and wellness goals.
Tell us, in thecomments your opinions and/or experiences about home fitness work-outs!
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With green tourism on the rise, we’re sure you’ve heard of sustainable travel! It’s always enjoyable to travel, but there’s unfortunately a chance that it can cause harm to some environments and the places you’re visiting. Although many travellers have good intentions when they travel, not all make well-informed decisions based on their destination’s best interests.
To travel more responsibly, let’s have a look at the benefits of eco-tourism and how to make a difference. We’ll chat about what sustainable tourism is, its benefits to you, local communities, and the environment, so you can make an informed decision about your next trip!
‘…how to make a difference…’
What is sustainable tourism?
Sustainable tourism is to travel with the purpose of building a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy. It involves minimizing negative impact on the places you visit, and rewarding the overall development and conservation of travel destinations by protecting the environment and the prosperity of the people who depend on it.
‘…protecting the environment…‘
Is tourism actually sustainable?
There are many ways to travel responsibly, however tourism will never be completely sustainable. Every industry has its own impact, and tourism isn’t different. As a traveller, you can help make the tourism industry shift towards sustainability, mindful choices ensure environment and local communities can flourish. Whether you’re planning a trip to South Africa, England, or Thailand, there’s many ways to make your travel more sustainable. By practicing eco-friendly, responsible travel and understanding the benefits of sustainable tourism, you can help leave a positive impact. Green tourism has an impact on the places you visit, let’s take a look at some of the amazing benefits of ecotourism.
‘…many ways to make travel more sustainable…’
1. Ecotourism has a lower ecological impact
Everything you do while on vacation has an impact on your ecological footprint; how you get there, where you stay, what activities you do, and what you eat. The goal of green tourism is to minimize this. To travel is to relax, but there’s lots of easy ways to protect the environment during a trip. Simply eating local produce and food from a local business already makes a huge difference. Imported food, whether across the nation or the ocean, comes at a huge cost – economically and environmentally. Plus, part of the experience of traveling to new places is learning about the culture through food! Not only does local food allow you to save a lot of emission, it also introduces you to new flavours you might end up falling in love with.
‘…eating local produce makes a hige difference …’
2. Ecotourism allows wildlife to stay wild
Preserving wildlife is a major part of responsible tourism. In many destinations, animals are used to attract tourists, but are not necessarily treated well. While riding elephants or swimming with pink dolphins, it’s not always good for the animals. Elephants suffer from pain and early deaths, dolphins are attracted by frozen fish supplied by tourism providers, and then tourists ride, restrain and even lift them out of the water. All of this is done for tourist’s to have a photo opportunity. If the demand for this kind of entertainment diminishes, wildlife is able to stay wild and it will empower local communities to work in sustainable travel jobs, protect wildlife, and engage in green tourism, rather than resort to exploitation.
‘…wildlife is able to stay wild…’
3. Responsible Tourism Keeps the Environsment Clean
While relaxing at resorts, some travellers neglect keeping the environment clean, this can lead to excessive waste, from plastic pollution on beaches to high demand on energy in hotels. Green tourism starts at home, ask your travel agent about red flags like garbage or wastewater when researching accommodation. Ask about single-use plastic shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel bottles or the plastic laundry bags for washing guests’ clothes and linen. Ask them about waste reduction, are their bathrooms and kitchens equipped with refillable containers? Do they have recycling bins or a compost for food waste? Are they using low-flow showers or water-efficient appliances? Is there a system set up for conserving energy? Opt for sustainable travel destinations, rather than overcrowded places suffering from the negative impact of mass tourism.
‘… opt for sustainable travel destinations…’
4. Ecotourism Supports and Empowers Local Communities
By supporting local communities, you get a unique chance to immerse yourself in local culture. Staying in locally owned accommodation gives you the opportunity to directly stimulate the local economy and connect with locals on a personal level.
You also get a similar experience with reputable local tour operators. The money you spend employs locals in sustainable travel jobs, and goes to the pockets of people involved in making your holiday memorable. Eating in local restaurants guarantees your food is healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced, because ingredients are grown or bought locally. Shopping local products and souvenirs allows you to buy items you might not find anywhere else, and your money goes to local artisans.
‘…unique chance to immerse yourself in local culture…’
5. Ecotourism Preserves Cultural Heritage
When done responsibly, tourism can provide insightful and educational experiences to visitors and encourage locals to share their cultural heritage. This once-in-a-lifetime experience you can only gain from trips focused on the rich cultural tapestries of the places that you visit. Locals will embrace their heritage and view it as something to be proud of and worth preserving, enabling them to develop sustainable travel destinations.
‘…once-in-a-lifetime experience…’
6. Ecotourism gives you a more meaningful experience
If you choose to stay with the nomadic Bedouins on a trip, you’ll get a glimpse of the traditional desert-dweller lifestyle. You’ll have a chance to see where they live, listen to their music and poetry, and experience their amazing hospitality.
Engaging in green tourism broadens your horizons and allows you to walk away with not just an impression of the beauty of the places you visit but also a deeper and more meaningful connection with the communities you meet.
‘…deeper and more meaningful connection…’
7. Ecotourism makes you a more conscious traveller
One of the biggest benefits of sustainable tourism is becoming more responsible with your choices. That can mean choosing greener transportation to get to your destination and/or staying in eco-conscious accommodations.
You may even find out there are locations you shouldn’t visit, if you want to keep them sustainable. Some tiny islands can’t sustain many tourists, and some communities are not able to deal with a huge number of people due to infrastructure.
‘…tiny islands can’t sustain many tourists…’
Do what you can, and be proud of it
Sustainable tourism is not always black and white – there are many shades of grey in between. Likewise, there is no such thing as being 100% sustainable when you travel. That’s why it’s good to keep in mind not to aim for perfection. Rather, do what you can to travel responsibly. Remember that cumulative choices from members of the travel community are what pave the way towards responsible tourism. Together, we can definitely make travel more sustainable!
‘…do what you can to travel responsibly…’
Tell us, in the comments what you think about practicing mindfulness during journeys!
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