Weekend Getaway Savings

Travel is one of my loves and another reason why I try to save as much as possible.  I like to spend less on "stuff" and more on "experience".   I try to fit in weekend trips whenever time allows, but I also like to save on these family outings.  Here's how I saved this past weekend:

• Hotel Loyalty Rewards - We enjoy staying at Hampton Inn's - my son loves having waffles, we all enjoy the afternoon cookies, grabbing hot chocolate after using the swimming pool and the in-room microwave and refrigerator.  I'm a Hilton Honors Member and this weekend we were able to use points that made our stay for the night free!
• Membership Benefits - As members of our local zoo we were able to get discounted tickets to the Omaha Zoo.  In the past we've also used our Science Center membership to get free admittance to the Children's Museum.
• Gift Cards - If I receive or earn gift cards to chain restaurants I like to save them for when we're traveling.  I had a gift card to use at Old Chicago to use which meant an almost free meal for the family.
• Email Clubs - I received a birthday email from Famous Dave's right before we left for the weekend with a coupon for a free entree.  We were able to use it and save on another meal.
• Free Attractions - On the road we enjoy stopping at Cabela's.  The kids like looking at the animals and the aquarium and most of the time we can leave there without spending anything.  We also like to find local farmers markets and visit them.  Omaha has a Sunday market where we were able to pick up peppers, a treat and sweet corn for our quick meal once we got home Sunday night.  Plus the market is right by a nice playground where the kids had a great time.