Tips on Choosing Your Auto Transport Provider

When making a big move to a new home, whether ten minutes down the road or all the way across the country, the process can be one full of difficulties and stress for mothers. There are all sorts of variables that are often left to Mom to be ironed out. Things such as getting everything packed up in just the right way, figuring out the travel plans for the family, and getting everything set up in the new home (getting the kids into a new school, finding a new insurance provider, and even setting up your basic utilities), are only a few difficulties a mother might run into.

Family Travel Savings via American Express Membership Rewards Program

Who does not like to get things for free?  I would be the first raising my hand! I love free goodies.  How about a free stay at a luxurious hotel in Guatemala City all paid for and save a big chunk of money in a family vacation?  Yep, we did two years ago through the American Express Rewards Program. 

At home, we use our American Express Membership Rewards card to pay for everything in our lives; anywhere American Express card is accepted, we use it to pay... from groceries to clothing, from outings, entertainment, trips to medical care, you name it!  Over two years we accummulated so many reward points that we were able to redeem them for a 5-day stay at the Westin Camino Real Hotel in Guatemala City!  My 25th school year reunion was in Guatemala, and instead of going by myself, we made it a family vacation.  Next time, I am not sure what we will redeem our points for, but I know for sure that it will be something just as exciting!

If you are not enrolled in the American Express Rewards Program, I have to tell you that you are letting go an opportunity to save on items you like, a family vacation, on flying miles, or acquire things you'd really like to get for less money or free.  Some items require more points than others as you can imagine.

Now that American Express Membership Rewards celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary, sky is the limit. When it was first launched 20 years ago it was innovative and over the years it has continued to innovate through new partners, categories and features. The program even now offers more than a million rewards from so many different brands, you would be surprised to see what all there is to choose from. Millions of card members have redeemed their points for things from movie tickets to trips to fine resorts.

Don't Forget Your Travel Checklist - Tips

It is so typical that even though we put together quickly travel checklists to plan and prepare for traveling something always gets left behind.  This week is Spring Break in many counties, and if you haven't left yet for your Spring break travel, and still are with the tons of things to do in our busy agendas, how about a site that helps busy moms to put together a travel checklist that you can always refer to customized according to the place and occasion of your travel/vacation?

Family Spring Travel Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.

Are you and your family ready for Spring and a family Spring vacation? If you have not made any plans yet, Moms Buzz recommends coming to the Nation's Capital and enjoying a beautiful celebration of Spring by attending the Cherry Blossom Festival.  Besides. being at the Nation's Capital, there is some much to do with children such as going to the Memorials, the museums at the Mall, visiting historical sites or you may just want to stroll around this beautiful city.

The Blossom Watch for this year is:

1. Blooming period: March 26 - April 7, 2011
2. Cherry Blossom Festival: March 26 - April 10, 2011

The weather in D.C. is nice during this time, neither too chilly or warm, just comfortable when wearing a light jacket unless you get hit with global warming. What's new, right?

Watch these pictures below to convince yourself that this a beautiful national event you don't want to miss.

Cherry Blossom Fully Bloomed


Washington Memorial Behind the Cherry Blossom


Jefferson Memorial Delicatedly "Touched" by The Cherry Blossom

 

Make it a beautiful Spring break family vacation!

- The Moms Buzz

source: www.washingtonpost.com and www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

Tips on How to Travel with a Pet

Here are some easy tips for busy moms when you have to travel with a pet:

Do your research. Be sure to read your airline’s pet policies. Some allow an animal in the cabin if the carrier is compact, while others consign all pets to the baggage compartment below. Many require vaccines and “won’t accept pets during the hottest and coldest months.”

Create a haven. Make the pet’s travel carrier a soothing place by stocking it with toys and a blanket that “smells like the house.”

Don’t sedate your pet. You may think a tranquilizer will help Fido relax, but it could instead make him “more anxious” and cause breathing problems at high altitudes.

Stay calm. If your pet acts out, don’t yell. Most animals will “interpret this as attention, and your anxiety will only worsen the situation.” When your pet settles down, reward it with “praise and treats.”

-TheMomsBuzz.com

Source: Theweek.com/Every Day With Rachael Ray

Tips on How to Maximize Your Frequent-Flier Miles

This is the time of the year, and for many it's even earlier, that we plan for our summer vacations and many of us make plans that require traveling by air.  Also, many of us belong to a frequent-flier miles program with select airlines.  Here are three good tips on how to maximize your frequent-flier miles so that you get the most out of the program!

Summer Vacations in a Winter Park? You Bet!

It's not a crazy thought.  Winter parks such as ski resorts/towns offer great summer activities as you wouldn't believe it! Here are some of the activities you can do: mountain biking, hiking, volleyball, roller blade,  skateboard, golf, tennis, white water rafting and canoeing as well as kayaking.  

How to Pack Light Like a Pro

Since Spring Break is  just around the corner, and some of us travel during this time, I thought it would be nice to throw out these tips on how to pack light like a pro for family trips that I found on TheWeek.com magazine.

Nickelodeon is Giving Away A Family Cruise Vacation!

Spring is in the air and Nickelodeon is stepping into Spring with amazing Spring Break Sweepstakes!  Yes, Nickelodeon is giving away a family cruise vacation worth $6,500!! Because you and your family deserve the best and a good Spring Break, you really want to get this grand prize!! 

It is easy to enter and win, just click here to find out more about the sweepstakes.

Good Luck!

- The Moms Buzz

U.S. Airports to Avoid When Planning for Your Next Family Trip

Busy moms, you should do the best to avoid the following airports when planning your next family trip by airplane if possible.  According to the latest survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, based on satisfaction levels on six factors (airport accessibility, baggage claim, check-in, terminal facilities, security check and food and retail services), the following airports ranked as the worst in the US:

Sites for Planning a Family Road Trip

Busy moms I found these sites for family road trip planning at theweek.com. I highly recommend you check out these sites for planning a family road trip because it's going to save you tons of clicking time on the Internet. Take pen and paper and off you go:

Travel Tips: Saving During Family Vacations

We still have a couple of weeks  in August for weekend trips here and there if you can.  Here are some easy to do smart travel tips for your next family vacation (hopefully coming up soon!) before back-to-school fever starts:

Three Quick Tips on How to Survive Air Travel

These three quick tips on how to survive air travel are very appropriate when traveling with children and don't forget those packing tips for family travel from a previous post last month at The Moms Buzz.

Packing Tips for Family Travel

It is vacation season and many of us take off to a nice destination. Traveling with kids makes things a bit more complicated  and packing is not something mothers look forward to when traveling.  We are in charge of everyone's packing and sometimes even our partner's too!  Organization is key when packing.  Here is are some good packing tips for family travel: 

Travel Tips When Going Abroad

This is the time of the year when many U.S. families choose to travel abroad for their summer vacations.  In today's world, security information changes quickly, and it may be a good idea to always check with the State Department on important updates about the country you are about to visit before you leave home and also during your trip.  You will be amazed the wealth of travel tips when going abroad that the State Department has to offer for those traveling families.

Featured Site: JustSettling.com

Imagine, moving three times in five years, each time to a new country with a different language, and at the same time having a baby in each of these locations!  This is what the founders of JustSettling.com have done over the last 5 years…they were never sure how long they would stay in each place!  So, when they settled in Fairfax, VA, they decided to create a website that would help moving families to the area.  Read more about JustSettling.com that is an amazing source of information and tips not only to the moving families, but to those who already live in Fairfax County, VA:

What to Tip When Traveling - Do You Know?

Spring is not only the time to do some Spring cleaning, but some Summer vacation planning as well.  If you plan to travel for your family Summer vacation, and flying, staying at a hotel or renting a place with housekeeping service, you will appreciate these traveling tips on what to tips when traveling:

Mammoth Mountain Special Offer for Ski Lovers!

Those of you who live in Southern California and love skiing will absolutely like this special offer. Mammoth Mountain is offering a Value Pass in honor of their 10th year anniversary.  Here is the offer in detail:

Tips on Traveling with Children

Halloween is just around the corner, and once it is over, the holidays will be knocking at our doors fervently very soon.  Traditionally, many of us travel for the holidays, and good planning will make those trips much easier and less stressful.  Here are some good tips on traveling with children suggested by Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

TIPS Before you reach the airport

• Please allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security - especially when traveling with younger children.
• Call your airline or travel agent for their recommended check-in times for your departure airport.
• Talk to your children before you come to the airport and let them know that it's against the law to make threats such as, "I have a bomb in my bag."  Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can delay the entire family and could result in fines.

TIPS at the airport

• Speak to your children again about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.
• Tell your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them.
• Let your children know that a Security Officer may ask to see their shoes, but that they will get these back as well.
• You may want to consider asking for a private screening if you are traveling with more than one child.

Happy planning!

- The Moms Buzz

source: www.tsa.gov

FlyClear Through Security This Summer

Everyone knows that after 9/11, airport time and flying has not been enjoyable at all. This is mainly because it now requires more time at the airport due to thorough security checks at different points on your way to boarding the aircraft.  That extra time at the airport, although necessary for our own sake, for moms means less time to prepare things, get kids ready and leave the house in order before heading to the airport.

But from now on you can leave all those controls behind thanks to the new FlyClear card. It is called the FlyClear Card! This card entitles its holder to bypass security in the airport and not be gang-tackled by homeland security. Nice!

To get one, you have to go to a "Clear Center" and present two official identification cards. Then you have to take a photo and give them your biometric information (your fingerprint and iris image). Bring your US passport as one of your official identification card, just in case, and if you are not a US Citizen, no worries, foreign people are welcomed into this program too. The major airports already have this technology implemented.  To see if your local airport has it, click here.

The only BUT with this program is that this luxury will cost you $128 in fees per person per year, and a few minutes of hassle. It's a great program for those frequent travelers, but not so much for the average family.

If you can afford it, go for it, it will save moms lots of time and headaches!

- The Moms Buzz