travel Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Finding Good Deals in the Holidays

December 14, 2020 by Mandy

As the holiday season approaches, you may be wondering how you can give your family a wonderful Christmas, while still making ends meet. Even though increasing your income may be important to you, you can also achieve your goals by learning to become more frugal with your money. One of the ways to achieve this is by learning which sales can help you save the most money on gifts, decorations, and food.

There are some sales that you can expect to pop up throughout the year, while others seem to be featured at random in stores, such as when clearing out old stock. By looking at the patterns from previous years, and keeping your eye out for these offers, you can potentially get everything you need at a lower than average price.

Gift Buying

If you have a large family, buying gifts can be an overwhelming event. Being able to find something for everyone, without spending every last cent, can sometimes feel incredibly challenging. By sticking to a budget, and asking for ideas within that limit months beforehand, you can spread your purchases out over the months, rather than fitting a lot into a short amount of time.

You can also make the most of how stores price their items, looking for the best deals. Sites such as Wicked Uncle have great value products at reasonable prices throughout the year, meaning you may not have to wait for a designated sale period to make your purchases.

Known Sale Periods

Throughout the span of the year, there are certain periods of time where it is near enough assured that reductions will take place. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the periods after Christmas are known to have reductions, especially on the holiday-related stock. By keeping track of when these dates are set for, and putting in the time to get to the sales as quickly as possible, you can be in for some big savings. It may involve waiting in lines, either online or in store, but the payoff can outweigh the work involved.

Preparing for the Following Year

Some people start preparing for the following Christmas as soon as the previous one has ended. Due to the reductions in wrapping paper and popular children’s toys that come about in January, many organized individuals like to get as much of a head start as possible. This then leaves them just under a whole year to collect the final presents, as well as to buy food. Not only does this allow for some hefty savings, but it also gives you a much longer period to save up money again.

Having a good holiday season does not need to be synonymous with being broke. If you can get a little clever about how you prepare and shop, you can put some money back in your pocket, which can be spent on a New Years’ bash, or simply added into a savings account to help it grow even more.

Tips for Planning a Much-Needed Mommy Getaway

November 26, 2020 by Mandy

There’s no denying that the pandemic has put a tremendous amount of pressure on mothers. Taking extra precautions to safeguard the kids’ health and safety, tending to their emotional needs during these uncertain times, ensuring they keep up with their education, and maintaining the financial means to provide has been anything but simple. Whether you have the support of family and friends or you’re going it alone, chances are you’re at your wit’s end.

If you’re going to continue to be the rock that your kids need, you have to find time to cater to yourself. What better way to tune into your needs than a mommy getaway? More than just a proper diet, regular exercise, a decent night’s sleep, and doing things you enjoy, a solo trip gives you that much-needed break you need to recharge and rejuvenate.

No Excuses

The idea of taking a trip alone has likely got your mind all over the place. How can you take a trip and leave the kids home? How are you going to find the funds to afford a decent getaway? Chances are, you’re thinking of everything possible to talk yourself out of this excursion. However, if you’re going to have a good time, you need to pump the brakes on the excuses. The reality is, you need this trip, it’s not selfish, and you can plan a getaway on a budget.

Decide on a Budget

Don’t allow something like limited finances to ruin your mommy getaway. There are lots of ways you can plan a relaxing trip on a shoestring budget. You can opt to travel to neighboring cities or states, take your car instead of going on a plane, and find free and affordable activities instead of splurging on entertainment. Having a travel budget will ensure you can still meet your financial obligations.

Find a Sitter

Unless you want to spend your entire trip worried about the wellbeing of your children, you’ll need to find someone you trust to watch them. You not only want to find someone that’s available on your travel dates, but you want someone who will put the needs of your kids first. Start by asking close relatives.

Keeping the pandemic in mind, it is best to select family members that are the least exposed to the coronavirus. Asking your sister, who’s a nurse, for example, might be a bit risky. However, your parents have likely been sheltering in place and are, therefore, a safer bet. As you never know what could happen between now and your mommy getaway, ask someone who can also serve as a backup in the event, something goes wrong with your first choice.

Make Arrangements for Work

Whether you’re an essential worker, a remote employee, or operating a business from home, securing the workplace before going on your getaway is ideal for enhanced relaxation. Before your trip, you should ensure that you have tied up any loose ends on projects and assignments you have outstanding. You should also delegate tasks and even consider designating an employee or manager to run things while you’re gone.

Plan Your Getaway

Now that you’ve removed all your excuses and covered your responsibilities, you’re ready to plan your getaway. Based on your budget, decide where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and what you’ll do once you arrive. The best part is you get to select things that bring you joy and comfort.

You can lay out on the beach with your animal print bikinis and soak up the sun for a few days. If you have the funds for it, you can treat yourself to some new outfits with a nice shopping excursion. If you’re interested in exploring the arts, history, and culture of a destination, try visiting museums and participating in community events. Another option is to focus on health and wellness with a relaxing retreat.

No one has been pushed to the limits more than mothers amid the pandemic. Though the challenges continue, finding a way to escape for a few days is ideal. A mommy getaway is just what you need to release some tension, unwind, and enjoy yourself despite all that’s going on. A fun and relaxing trip will not only make you feel better, but it will put you in the best position to continue being there for your family when they need you most.

5 Luxury Destinations You’ll Want to Start Saving for Today

November 23, 2020 by Mandy

You scroll through your social media and see these influencers posing in incredible destinations. From tropical backdrops to enjoying a drool-inducing continental breakfast in a metropolitan city, you dream of one day visiting these destinations.

And you deserve to go one day!

Everyone needs a trip in their life where they treat themselves to no end. You work hard taking care of yourself and your family, now it’s time to be rewarded. These are some of the most luxurious destinations in the world that you’ll want to start saving up for starting today.

The Maldives

What if you could spend a week waking up to the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean in your bungalow? You feel the sea breeze flow through your window as you sip on your coffee and eat fresh fruit while staring down into the clear water watching the tropical fish swim carelessly.

This can be your life in the Maldives! There are plenty of resorts that make vacationing in the Maldives easy – most of them are all-inclusive so you get even more bang for your buck.

Tokyo, Japan

If city life is more your vibe, then you’ll definitely want to go to Tokyo. Coming from the West, you will experience an exciting culture shock with the customs, food, atmosphere, fashion, and more in Japan.

You’ll be overwhelmed with neon lights, specialty sushi, advanced technology, and the gorgeous cherry blossoms of the countryside. There is no place in the world like Tokyo where you can experience all of these things!

Paris, France

The city of romance is the epicenter of European culture. For a laidback city vacation surrounded by art, incredible architecture, designer brands, and exquisite cuisine, Paris is the luxury destination for you.

Spend your days sipping on espresso and eating croissants while touring the Louvre and soaking in the gorgeous culture that is Paris. Enjoy a continental breakfast overlooking the Eiffel Tower for the ultimate luxury experience.

Santorini, Greece

White buildings with royal blue roofs is what Santorini’s towns are made up of. Enjoy authentic Greek yogurt, exquisite olive oil, and sweet Greek treats as you soak up the sun on this incredible island.

Filled with culture and history, you get a little bit of everything in Santorini. It’s the perfect combination of an island destination and a European town. Rent a boat for the day and explore the blue waters or book a photo shoot to capture your memories forever.

Seychelles

This gorgeous island is located in the Indian Ocean of the coast of East Africa. With luscious rainforests, white sandy beaches, and turquoise waters full of exotic wildlife, the Seychelles feel like heaven on earth.

Stay in a resort for the ultimate luxury experience and be catered to all hours of the day. Enjoy an afternoon or snorkeling and then an evening massage. The only thing that would make this experience even more luxurious is a private jet rental to and from the Seychelles.

Don’t Let The Holidays Stress You Out

October 28, 2020 by Mandy

Everyone experiences stress. With so many unexpected variables in life, it’s inevitable. What’s important is to recognize what you are feeling and know that you can learn how to manage stress. Otherwise, it can overwhelm you or cause you related health issues.

When you start preparing for the upcoming holiday season, make sure to use some known stress-relieving techniques to combat the extra pressures the holiday season brings. Exercising works wonders to lower hormone levels that naturally increase with stress. If you can’t seem to find the time to fit in your usual jog or yoga session, all is not lost. When you are hopping from store to store, trying to find the perfect gifts, park further away from the stores instead of looking for the closest spot.

Gifting Stress Relief

Finding the perfect gifts for family and friends comes at a cost. Sometimes that cost can feel like you’re losing your sanity if you let it. Why not share your mindfulness by gifting your loved ones with a care package of relaxation products? Reminding others of the importance of self-care is a gift that never goes out of style.

Coping With Shopping

It can be easy to get carried away when you don’t have a plan of action for your holiday shopping. Starting the new year with excess debt from the holidays will certainly compound your woes. Start with a budget. Take a realistic look at your cash flow and determine exactly how much you are willing to spend on shopping for others. Be forewarned, creating a budget is the easy part; sticking to it requires more effort.

Have a plan of action. Holiday shopping isn’t the only thing that can easily overwhelm you during the holidays. Planning meals and accommodations for out-of-town guests can be equally troublesome. Create a timeline of what tasks need to be done when and prepare as much as you can in advance. The point of planning is to try to keep from being overwhelmed with everything at the same time.

Avoiding the chaos of holiday shoppers can also lend to your peace of mind. Shopping centers and malls are less crowded during the week. If you can fit it into your schedule, try to plan to do your shopping during the day or weeknights. If you find yourself stuck standing in a long line, despite your best efforts, use that time to practice mindfulness.

Gifts to Yourself

It is normal to focus on everyone else and be selfless, especially during the holidays. You can do that as long as you don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. The best thing you can give yourself is “me time”. Make sure you set some time aside every day just for yourself. You can do this by spending 5 minutes every morning either stretching or doing mindful meditation. Taking your mind to a beautiful and peaceful place, practicing controlled breathing, and just letting yourself relax sets you up for a smooth, less stressful day.

If despite your best efforts you still find yourself feeling stressed out during the day, take a break. Stop what you’re doing and take a moment to refocus and allow yourself the opportunity for frustrations to pass instead of compound. Slow, deliberate breathing can be an effective method for calming down.

Being generous isn’t defined by the amount you spend on presents. The best gift you can give someone is your time and attention. Remind yourself the holidays won’t last forever. Brush off annoyances and be patient with your loved ones. Keeping your cool over the holidays is healthier than being stressed out and will make them much more enjoyable for everyone.

Luxury Vacations in the Adirondack Mountains Anyone Can Afford

October 26, 2020 by Mandy

When most people think of mountain getaways, they think of famous destinations, such as the Appalachian Mountains or the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, upstate New York features an incredible and often overlooked mountain range: the Adirondacks.

With over 6.1 million acres of land included in the Adirondack Park, the things you can see are almost limitless. But if it’s your first time going there, what can you expect out of the trip?

Keep reading to learn all about what makes the Adirondack Mountains so great, as well as how you can go about planning a trip there.

Where in the World Are the Adirondack Mountains?

If you’ve never been to New York before, it’s important to first clear something up. In addition to being a city, New York is also a state – and a big state at that.

From cities like Buffalo and Rochester to small towns like Greece and Malone, around 20 million people call the Empire State home. Residents of the state are proud of their heritage, and consider New Yorkers to be an entirely different species.

The Adirondack Park is in upstate New York, well out of the City, and takes up much of the space of northern New York. Canada borders the mountain range to the west, and Vermont to the east.

When you first get to the Adirondacks, the lack of large cities and towns may surprise you. But that’s part of the charm! Lake Placid, Lake George, and Saranac Lake are the population “hubs” of the region.

Country Road, Take Me Home: How to Get There

Regardless of which direction you’re coming from, you’ll find the Adirondacks to be accessible and easy to get to. In fact, 60 million people across the United States can get there within a day’s drive.

If you are coming by car, Interstate 87 and 81 runs right through the park. This makes the park easy and cheap to visit, especially if you’re coming from nearby locations, such as Boston, New York City, or Quebec.

If you don’t own a car, there are many other public transportation options to take advantage of. Train service runs all year from Penn Station and offers service all the way to Montreal. You can also hop on an Adirondack Trailways or Greyhound bus.

If you’re coming from far away, the Adirondacks have three airports to help you get in. For additional flight options, you can also fly to the larger nearby airports of Burlington or Albany.

The Best Time to Visit

Being a place of high elevation in Northern New York State means that the Adirondacks experience a wide variety of weather patterns. Winters are freezing, snow-filled, and long. On the other hand, summers can be short but hot and humid.

Such a variety of weather means that you’ll have plenty of things to do throughout the year. If you’re a fan of winter sports and activities, you’ll have many to enjoy. Snowing, skiing and sledding are some of the many popular ones.

If an average temperature of 3 degrees Fahrenheit in January doesn’t sound appealing, then spring or fall can be great times to find a balance between cold and heat. Fall also lets you see an unimaginable amount of golden, orange, and red leaves.

In the end, deciding when to visit the Adirondacks depends on what you want to see and do, as well as what types of weather you can handle.

Find a Home Away From Home

As the Adirondacks spill across much of northern New York State, you’ll have many different housing options and locations to choose from. These can range from budget bed and breakfasts to luxurious, 5-star lodges.

As mentioned, most people in the Adirondacks live near Lake Placid, Lake George, or Saranac Lake. This means that the majority of the places to stay will be are in these areas. Staying in a hotel there will let you experience small-town charm with scenic mountain vistas.

Renting your own home can also be a great option, especially for groups of people. A rental home gives you extra privacy, space, and the freedom to enjoy the normal amenities of a house, such as a kitchen. To view some great options, check out these weekend getaways.

Outdoor Activities Galore

Whether you’re someone who enjoys being in a big city or comes from a tiny town in rural America, you can find an activity you enjoy in the Adirondacks. Many of the things you can do involve taking advantage of the unrivaled natural elements.

Many of the mountains in the park have miles worth of hiking trails. These range from easy walks to intense paths. As if the sense of accomplishment wasn’t enough, you’ll get to enjoy views that take your breath away once you make it to the top of each mountain.

As the region contains dozens of lakes, you can also try out kayaking or canoeing if you haven’t before. There’s nothing more magical than spending a day on the water, then making your way back to shore to watch the stars over the woods at night.

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll love the huge variety of animals that you can see. From predators such as bears, coyotes, and mountain lions, to beavers, turtles, and moose, it’s safe to say that the park is a wildlife haven.

Make Your Dream Mountain Vacation a Reality

Located just a few hours north of New York City, many people overlook the Adirondack Mountains. But as this guide explains, they offer so much for visitors to see and do. Plan a trip there today, and give yourself the quiet escape to nature that you need.

Are you ready to get started planning your dream mountain vacation? Before you go and start packing, take a moment to check out some of our many other articles for more guides and tips.