Travel | One Hundred Dollars a Month

How to Make a Bucket List

June 13, 2013 10 Comments

I don’t know if it is because my kids are getting older or what, but I have had this urge to start crossing things off my proverbial bucket list. I think now that they don’t need me in the same way, or as much for that matter, as they used to, I’ve had time to start thinking about the things I would like to experience.

The thing is, for me at least, a bucket list has always just been a running tally in my mind–like, I’ve always wanted to see New York at Christmas time. It occurred to me the other day, though, that I should write them all down in an attempt to help them materialize. {I’m going to admit, I probably just want to write them down so I can highlight them when I’ve finished. Oooh, I love to highlight. It’s one of those little things that is soooo gratifying. Ha!}

I feel like when people start to actually DO the things they’ve always wanted to experience, you can totally tell. I don’t really think it actually happens all that often, when people actually start to live {that is not meant to sound as cheesy as it does}. We get so busy raising babies, paying the mortgage, etc. that all of those things get put on the back burner.

Photo Credit

The thing is, when you meet someone who has actually decided that in between all of those things, they are going to start doing a couple of those bucket list items, you immediately like them. Why is that? I think it is because they are happy, and you know it {so clap your hands}. Since happiness and contentment are contagious, I think we should all start a bucket list, and aim to highlight at least one thing a year.

As a service to humanity {ha!}, here is a little jump start on creating your own bucket list:

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will writing your bucket list. Maybe you’ve never allowed yourself the luxury of asking what you reaaaallly want to do. So, think of your list as a malleable {word of the day} thing. Start with the big ones, maybe there is only one, and come back to it after you’ve thought more.
Remember to think passed travel. My mind immediately jumps to travel. But, travel is expensive and time-consuming. All travel would equal no highlighting. Think about smaller items, like write a letter to each of my kids for when they turn 18.
Ask other people what is on their list. Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, don’t be afraid to copy. This is not a test.
Think in broader terms. There will be a lot of specific items, but think about all of those things you may have daydreamed about, but have no idea how you would actually accomplish it. You never know what life will bring, so your bucket list does not have to come with a operator’s manual. Think: do something that is newsworthy. {Hopefully, this is not on the arrests page. Ha.}
Be accountable. Show your list to your kids, your spouse, and friends. First, it will help your kids start thinking in realms of their goals, and second, it will hold you accountable. Got to show them what it is to attain your dreams, right?
There is a nifty little bucket list creator website that can help you if you are really stuck. You can create your list right on the site, and also choose from thousands of idea. Just go HERE.
Make sure to include some things that are easily attainable, but that you might not do otherwise. For example, read War and Peace.
Remember to think about skills. {Napoleon Dynamite didn’t have any skills, and remember how sad that was?} Include things you’ve always wanted to be able to do: knit, play the piano, learn French.
Don’t be afraid to get specific. Maybe it’s not just that you want to go to France, but you want to try a fresh baked french croissant. {And believe me when I tell you, you really, really do want to try a fresh baked french croissant.}
Last, but not least, make sure to include the things you might have already done. And HIGHLIGHT them! Woohoo! {Sorry, I really should see someone about my highlighting obsession.} Maybe you have already graduated from college {goals are bucket list items}. Maybe it’s get married and have a family. Put it on there, cross it off. Your bucket list should be a visual reminder of your life {embroider that on a pillow}.

Now go get busy. And stay tuned, because I’ll show you mine, if you’ll show me yours! Haha.

~Mavis

Filed Under: Frugal Living, travel tips Tagged With: frugal living, How to Make a Bucket List

10 Tips for the Best Staycation Ever

June 6, 2013 2 Comments

With school out soon, are you wondering how you are going to entertain the kiddos without breaking the bank? You could always try a staycation. Yep, you don’t board a plane, rent a car, or pay for any admissions–you just set aside time to relax and enjoy each other close to home.

Here’s a few staycation ideas to keep everyone entertained and build those lasting family bonds you’ve only seen on sitcoms:

Camp in your backyard. Set up a tent, barbecue dinner, and if you have one, build a fire in the firepit. You won’t have to pay for a campsite or spend a couple of days packing, but you’ll still get tons of quality time with the fam.
Organize a block party or neighborhood picnic. Ask everyone to bring something and roll the barbecuer out front. Set up sprinklers for the kids to play in and enjoy the camaraderie right in your own front yard.
Take a trip around the world…from the comfort of your living room. Pick a couple of countries you’d like to visit and visit them virtually. Plan your dinner menu around that country’s food, get pictures from the internet–you could even have kids write postcards to Grandma and Grandpa.
Organize a game night. Invite friends and family over to have a game-a-palooza. Tell them to bring their favorite munchies and a game.
Have a movie marathon. Tell the kids to stay in their jammies, make tons of finger foods and watch movies from morning till night. I don’t know about you, but my kids wouldn’t know what to do if I stopped to relax for a whole day.
Be a local tourist. I once met a lady who lived in New York and had never been out to see the Statue of Liberty. Crazy, but it made me think, have I toured Seattle like I am a tourist? Nope. Look for art museums, parks, and restaurants, etc.
Start a family book club. Now, my kids might roll their eyes at this one, but I bet if you have avid readers or smaller kids, they would totally get on board.
Go fishing. Usually a fishing license is pretty cheap and with a short drive, you can teach the kids to catch their dinner.
Plan a family field day. Set up kickball, relay races, and other obstacle courses. Give prizes or certificates at the end.
Go to a pick-your-own farm. Let the kids help. Then go home and look up a new recipe to make together with your newly acquired food.

How about you, do you have any awesome staycation plans?

~Mavis

Small Towns in America – Steilacoom, Washington

June 6, 2013 22 Comments

Am I the only one who thinks there’s something so comforting about a small town? I love to imagine what life would be like living in one. It feels like life is immediately simpler {which, I am sure it is not, but at least as a visitor, it feels that way}.

Over the past 2 weeks I’ve visited the tiny town of Steilacoom, Washington twice. Both times it was so I could take the ferry to Anderson Island.

I LOVE this place!

There really isn’t much to do in Steilacoom, but I think that’s what I find so endearing about it. For instance, Bair Drug & Hardware. This little shop is no longer a pharmacy and hardware store, but instead a tiny restaurant and ice cream parlor filled with antiques from the past.

Locals and tourists alike stop by for breakfast or a milkshake. Bu imagine what it would have been like to shop here 50 or 75 years ago.

I had to resist the urge not to buy one of each of these.

Nothing is more American small town than hand-dipped ice cream. I know you can get it in the city, but it tastes different.

And the houses. Why is it that tiny towns have the best houses? Ones with character. I wouldn’t mind coming home to this every evening. I am sure there would be a fight for who got the room in the round tower.

Front porches. Why don’t houses have big front porches like this anymore?

Look at this one. I think it’s perfect. Boxwoods, window boxes, a stone wall. All that’s missing is the little white picket fence in the front yard.

Oh and let’s not forget the wagon shop. Now days it’s a museum.

There is no doubt about it. Small towns rule and I could totally see myself living in one in a few years after the kids are off to collage {as long as there is internet of course}.

How about you, are you in love with small towns too? Are there any I just have to visit?

~Mavis

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Small Towns in America, Steilacoom, travel, washington

Travel Tip – How to Save on Airport Meals and Snacks

May 30, 2013 13 Comments

It’s no big secret, I LOVE to travel, but have you seen the prices they’re charging at the airport lately for snacks? It’s like shopping in another country! Seriously, where do they some up the these prices?

Plus, you pay an even higher premium if you want real, honest to goodness food, not just processed crap.

Well, enough is enough. Mavis is saying, “no!” No more stuffing the pockets of companies trying to take advantage of the fact that you are stuck in an airport, with no other options. {Do I sound angry? I am going for angry.}

If you are traveling by plane anytime soon, here’s a couple of plan-ahead tricks to save you cash and leave you feeling just the right amount of self-righteous {ha!}:

First, always plan ahead…and expect delays. Traveling by plane is like building a house, your timeline really doesn’t mean a whole lot. Admittedly, a lot goes into making sure planes take off and land on time, and any delay, anywhere, can affect your flight. Remember those people that were stuck waiting on a plane for 8 hour s not too long ago? Not good on the old blood sugar, my friends, not good.

Pick travel friendly foods, like dried fruit, trail mix, protein bars, etc. the bulk bins at WinCo are awesome for travel food. {Fruit, like bananas and apples, tend to get bounced around until they’re nearly inedible, so sadly, it’s best to avoid them.}

If possible, wait to get a beverage on your flight–most flights still offer a complimentary beverage service. If you have really honed in on the art of simplistic living, bring an empty water bottle and ask to fill it up at one of the airport restaurants or water fountains. I’ve asked tons of places if they mind, and excluding one McDonalds, they have all been willing to let me fill mine, and my families water bottles. I’m pretty sure I heard them mumble “cheap-skate” under their breaths, but whatever. It’s no tea, but it’s free–and it leaves money to spend on the actual trip instead.

If you have to get a snack at the airport, avoid the meal type restaurants {i.e. sit down and/or fast food chains}. The mark-up on the meals is offensive. Stick to snack items, like pre-packaged sandwiches that are sold at smaller little kiosks. They are usually cheaper, and they will probably be healthier anyway.

How about you, do you pack your own snacks when you travel?

~Mavis

Looking for more Travel Tips? See the full list of Travel Tips HERE!

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Travel, travel tips Tagged With: frugal living, travel, travel tips

Travel Tip – How to Find a Place to Eat

April 25, 2013 21 Comments

If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years about finding a good place to eat while on vacation, it’s that if you see a line forming out the door of any restaurant, bakery or deli, STOP and get in line.

Last week when we were in Boston, Massachusetts we kept passing people with Mike’s Pastry boxes. We walked by so many boxes that I actually started counting them.

Then it dawned on me, ASK SOMEONE where this place is. I did’t even care what they sold. All I knew was I was going to find the store and get me some of whatever they were selling, because clearly, everyone in town was getting something good there.

So I asked. And the next day my whole family marched right over to the shop {and stood in line!} and bought the best cannolis we’ve ever tasted.

We hurried over to the nearest park bench and dug in. I had a pistachio cannoli in case you were wondering. And guess what? They have an online store as well. Weeeeeee! I know what I’m asking for this Christmas.

Have you ever stood in line for some magically delicious food?

If so, what and where. I might just have to go there someday.

Eat. Good. Food.

~Mavis

Mike’s Pastry
300 Hanover Street
Boston, MA 02113

Looking for more Travel Tips? See the full list of Travel Tips HERE!

Filed Under: Travel, travel tips Tagged With: Boston, Mike's Pastry, travel, Travel Tip - How to Find a Place to Eat, travel tips

The Best Part of Any Vacation is Coming Home

April 21, 2013 2 Comments

Is it just me, or do you think coming home from a vacation is lot of work? Besides doing some much needed grocery shopping, 5 loads of laundry and rounding up all our pets from the neighbors yesterday, we also had the fun task of taking all the shelving out of the refrigerator and scrubbing it down. Someone {okay, me} had left a package of fish thawing in the refrigerator before we left. Why, I have no idea but not only did the fish thaw out, but leaked all over the place.

Good times!

We had the girls down the street take care of our outdoor chickens while we were away. Which is no small task if you don’t have chickens of your own. They had to get up at dusk to let the hens out of the coop, feed them and make sure they had plenty to drink. Then come back at dusk and lock them up.

They don’t have pet chickens of their own so it was kind of fun for them and they really enjoyed helping out.

When we left Awkward Martha and Squirrely had gone broody. Now apparently Piggey has gone broody as well.

We had another neighbor keep our blue cochin baby chicks in their garage and collect our packages for us. What a blessing. They too do not have baby chicks and loved taking care of them. The neighbors even named our 3rd chick {who was still nameless} Blue Cheese.

Now we have Blueberry, Blue Bell and Blue Cheese.

Little Miss Lucy.

The Hunter and his wife watched Lucy the puddle dog for us. God Bless them. She had 6 accidents, hopped her fence area on day one and refused to go back in and pretty much ran around all day and wore their other dogs out. Ha. What a stinker.

One of their dogs is a Jack Russel Terrier and they said Lucy kept him on his toes all 5 days she was there. She also stole his cookies and gained about 2 pounds while she was away. She did sleep well though, The Hunter and his wife said Lucy went to bed around 8 am and didn’t move a muscle until about 7 the next morning. Gee I wonder why.

Ahh it’s good to be back home. Even if there are still a ton of chores to do.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

♥ Mavis

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: lucy the puggle dog, travel

The House of Seven Gables and Nathaniel Hawthorn’s Birth Home

April 20, 2013 13 Comments

On Wednesday we visited the House of Seven Gables {the very one that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne to write a book by the same name}. It’s located in Salem, Massachusetts, and man-oh-man is it cool.

It’s seriously like taking a step back in time. It was built in 1668 by a sea captain and passed down for three generations before it was sold.

Eventually, the house and property were left to a woman named Susanna Ingersoll, who was a cousin of Nathaniel Hawthorne. I can totally see how this property would inspire a novel!

Eventually, the house and the grounds became a philanthropic haven for immigrants. The House of Seven Gables has continued a similar mission today–making education, preservation and community service a priority.

There are two Colonial Revival Gardens on the grounds–and you all know how I am a sucker for a garden. It’s still early spring in Massachusetts so there wasn’t a lot growing in the raised garden beds but there were a few flowers and herbs.

They even maintain the gardens with old-fashioned practices, i.e. hand pruning and cultivation–all to preserve the tradition of the garden. How cool is that?

In 1958, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birth home was moved to the property in an effort to merge the history of his life with the infamous House of Seven Gables. The grounds and the homes were amazing and now I suddenly find myself wanting to move the east coast. There is so much history and so many things to see I can hardly stand it.

~Mavis

Filed Under: Garden Tours, Travel Tagged With: Massachusetts, Nathaniel Hawthorn's Birth Home, Salem, The House of Seven Gables, travel

Faneuil Hall – Boston, Massachusetts

April 19, 2013 9 Comments

One Hundred Dollars a Month reader Heather and I were emailing back and forth about chickens and gardening recently when I told her my family would be headed to Boston for spring break. Heather lives just outside the city and suggested we check out Faneuil Hall.

For those of who don’t know, Faneuil Hall was built in 1742 by Boston’s then wealthiest merchant, Peter Faneuil. He built it as a gift to the city. Originally, it was used for merchants, fisherman, meat and produce sellers to peddle their wares. It is also home to the famous protests to the Sugar Act, where colonists coined the phrase: ”No taxation without representation.”

In 1826, Quincy Market was added. It served as an expansion to the already popular Faneuil Hall. Both Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall were vital business hubs until the mid 1900′s, when they fell into such disrepair that most of the buildings stood empty.

By the 1970′s, plans to demolish the buildings were underway. Luckily, a group of forward thinking Bostonians rallied to save the buildings, and by 1976, a massive renovations renewed the Faneuil Hall and revitalized downtown Boston.

There is a grasshopper weather vane that sits on top of Faneuil Hall. Many people consider it a symbol of Boston. During the Revolutionary War, people suspected of being spies were asked to describe the weather vane. If they could, they were set free–proving themselves as Bostonians. If not, they were considered British spies. {You can’t argue with water-tight logic like that.}

Street performers began performing in Faneuil Hall until the 1970′s–when they performed to entertain the construction workers who were revitalizing the buildings. The street performers never left, and now are a huge part of the Faneuil Hall culture. We had no idea what this guy was doing, but the crowd sure loved him.

In addition to 14 restaurants and pubs, there are also 36 international food vendors as well. In fact the Qunicy Market has the largest food hall in New England. We bought a Boston Cream pie {of course} and it was delicious.

Call me a history nerd, but we loved Faneuil Hall.

~Mavis

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Boston, Faneuil Hall, Massachusetts, one hundred dollars a month, travel

The 2013 Boston Marathon – Counting My Lucky Stars

April 19, 2013 71 Comments

On Sunday night my family took the red eye to Boston. When we arrived at our hotel around 7 am on Monday morning. They were just beginning to set up for the 2013 Boston Marathon.

We decided to go to Boston for Spring break a few weeks prior. I found a sweet deal on some last minute tickets, bought them on the spot and told myself I’d figure out the details of our trip later. {My husband was born just outside of Boston and was looking forward to going back. The kids and I had never been.}

About a week after I booked the airline tickets, I starting looking for a place to stay and found out the Boston Marathon would be happening the very same morning we were set to arrive. The hotel I booked was 1 block from the finish line.

The Girl and I were super excited and talked about watching the marathon daily until we left for our trip.

Once we arrived we all took a quick 1 hour nap, then the boys headed off on foot to the Boston Red Sox game and The Girl and I went down to the street to watch the finishers.

I sent my friend Amberlina the above picture from the 100 meter line and sent her a quick text telling her how cool it was to be there.

The Girl and I watched the Women and Men’s Elite runners finish.

Being there, hearing the crowd cheer, was amazing. Simply amazing.

The one thing that sticks in my mind is how happy my daughter looked, and how I said to her “Isn’t this awesome? We could just stand here for hours and cheer them on.”

She agreed.

But we didn’t stay for hours. We left around the 3 hour mark.

We later found out we were standing right across the street from where the second bomb went off.

Instead of staying to watch the rest of the race, we ate lunch at Faneuil Hall and then walked to Paul Revere’s House.

Somewhere along the way we found the Freedom Trail and we were standing in the Old North Church when I got a call from the Handsome Husband at 3:03 pm.

We were in a church so I silenced the call and did not answer.

He called back.

Handsome Husband : WHERE ARE YOU.
Mavis: The Old North Church.
Handsome Husband: WHAT?

The line went dead.

He called back 2 more times before the call went though.

My husband and son were walking back from the Red Sox game and stopped at the finish line to watch the marathon. The sidewalk was packed with spectators and finishers so they stepped into a department store to take a shortcut back to our hotel.

And that’s when they heard the bombs go off.

They didn’t realize what had happened until they were back in our hotel room and looked outside the window and that’s when they called.

It took The Girl and I about 3 hours before we could make it back to them. The streets were blocked off and the area was in lock down.

Everyone had a dazed look in their eyes and was silent. We were surrounded by the Police, FBI, ATF, SWAT and National Guard. It was like we had just stepped on to a movie set.

It was surreal. We weren’t scared because we were surround by armored vehicles and officers. Oddly enough we felt safe.

I’m not sure if it has really sunk in yet, but it really makes you stop and think about how fragile life is and what matters the most.

Make your life count. Be happy. Do something you love. Don’t live your life in fear. Tell the people you love, that you LOVE THEM.

Be grateful for everyday you wake up with air in your lungs, because you never know, when it could be your last.

~Mavis

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Eyewitness Story, The 2013 Boston Marathon

Travel Tips – 10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Vacation

April 11, 2013 13 Comments

If you have followed by blog, you know I LOVE to travel. I have learned over the years {through a trial and error–well, mostly error} that a little preparation goes a long way when it comes to getting the most out of vacations.

Here’s 10 tips to try BEFORE you leave on vacation to ensure you have a great vacation and an easy transition once you return home:

Use up all of the food in the fridge. A week or two before I leave, I start to look at my perishables and plan around them. Wasted food is a pet-peeve, so I try to use it all up.
Go through your purse/wallet and remove any extras you don’t need. There’s no need to bring extra credit cards, etc., especially should you lose your wallet/purse or have it stolen. Removing the items means less hassle. I like to travel with a money belt.
Remember to close you curtains/blinds. Lock all of your doors. Unplug any unnecessary electronics, etc. Let your neighbors know that you will be gone, so that they can keep an eye on your house.
Stop mail or arrange for a friend/family member to pick it up. Nothing says “I’m gone” like a back-log of mail in the box.
Turn down your water heater {I know some people who turn their water off completely}. Turn up/down your thermostat. No need to pay for heating and cooling if you aren’t going to be there.
Water your plants.
Arrange for a dog/house sitter, if necessary. It’s best to do this in advance, in case your pet needs additional vaccines before going to the kennel.
Remember your chargers. Pack cell phone and laptop chargers.
Do ALL your laundry ahead of time. That way, when you get home, you’ll have clean clothes while you are doing laundry from your trip.
Take out the garbage. Man-oh-man, nothing says “welcome home” like stinky garbage. {I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.}