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Check Out These 7 Great Affordable Family Reunion Locations for 2025

December 10, 2024 By Teri Monroe Leave a Comment

Is planning your family reunion stressing you out? Travel costs have risen significantly this year in several categories. According to CNBC, airfare alone is up 25%, outpacing inflation. However, planning a family reunion doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank. With a little creativity, you can plan an unforgettable event for your whole group. These 7 affordable family reunion locations will help you create lasting memories with your extended family.

1. Local VFWs

Local hall for your affordable family reunion — Image Source: 123rf.com

If you’re looking for an affordable location for your next family reunion, your Veterans of Foreign Wars Post is a great option. Typically, VFWs can hold a large number of people for a small rental fee. Usually, you can hire a caterer and bartender or bring in your own food. Some even have kitchens, making it possible for you to cut down the cost even more. Additionally, the rental fee and any other fees associated with renting the space will help benefit veterans in your area.

2. Destinations with Free Activities

Washington D.C. affordable family reunions — Image Source: 123rf.com

A great idea for family reunions is to host it in a place with free attractions. For example, Washington D.C. is a great city to visit on a budget. Smithsonian museums have 17 properties, a zoo, and galleries that are free. Plus, the National Mall and monuments are great for sightseeing. While accommodations in D.C. can be expensive, the surrounding towns in Maryland and Virginia are more affordable. You can take a short drive to D.C. from your hotel or Airbnb for the day. There is also a great public transportation system, making it easy and cheap to get around while you’re there. Other destinations with a lot of free activities include Yellowstone, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and even London.

3. Ranches

You don’t have to sacrifice adventure to stay on budget for your family reunion. A dude ranch could be the ideal affordable location for your family reunion. The Dude Rancher’s Association suggests Red Rock Ranch near Jackson Hole. You can spend hours horseback riding through the trails with your family. Other activities include pickleball, team penning, and fly fishing. Heading to a ranch is typically an all-inclusive trip, meaning you will only have to shell out money once and everything else is included.

4. Budget-Friendly Beach Towns

Affordable family reunion at the beach — Image Source: 123rf.com

Beach towns are popular destinations for family reunions. With a range of places to stay, there are options for all budgets. Look for beaches that aren’t tourist destinations for the best deals. Many towns on Cape Cod are affordable, like Dennis Port. There’s plenty to do with your extended family including great beaches, biking, kayaking, and a variety of restaurants. Other possible destinations might be Topsail Beach, Mitchelville Beach, Enderts Beach, Roque Bluffs, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Mansion Beach, and others.

5. National Parks

Family at a national park — Image Source: 123rf.com

National parks are wonderful places to host family reunions. Plus, there are usually affordable accommodations in the surrounding areas, from RV parks to camping sites and lodges. One hidden gem in the Rocky Mountains is the YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado. The two locations offer activities such as archery, hiking, axe throwing, disc golf, rock climbing, and fishing. There are also meeting spaces to host your reunion.

6. Ski Resorts in The Off-Season

Enjoying a meal at family reunion — Image Source: 123rf.com

Ski resorts have many lodging options for your family reunion. Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont has cabins to accommodate the whole family. A wide range of activities make this resort a great choice for all ages, even during the off-season. The resort will help you plan your reunion trip as well.

7. Cruises

Affordable Family Reunions Cruises — Image Source: 123rf.com

What could be more fun than taking your extended family on a cruise? There are many short voyages that are quite affordable. In fact, they can be more affordable than hotels in some cases. On some cruises, kids even sail free. You can always save money with group discounts or by choosing interior rooms. Carnival Cruise Lines takes short cruises to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Eastern Canada, and Mexico. Cruises always have itineraries that will entertain the whole family.

Planning an Affordable Family Reunion

Whether you and your family are looking to stay local or plan a getaway for your family reunion, you can do it affordably. Make sure to take advantage of group discounts and book early to get the best deals. What has been the best family reunion you’ve been to? Let us know your favorite locations.

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Can You Use Your Mexican Costco Membership in the USA?

November 1, 2024 By Latrice Perez Leave a Comment

If you’re a frequent traveler or live near the U.S.-Mexico border, you might wonder if your Mexican Costco membership works in the United States. Fortunately, Costco has built a reputation for being accessible across borders. Members from one country often have the flexibility to shop at warehouses in another. In this article, we’ll explore how your Mexican Costco card works in the U.S. and what you need to know to shop without hassle.

Enjoy Cross-Border Shopping with Your Membership

One of the great perks of being a Costco member is that your membership is valid internationally. If you have a Mexican Costco membership, you can shop at any U.S. location, just as if you were at your home store. The checkout process is the same, and you’ll have access to most of the same product categories. This feature is helpful for those traveling or living in both countries.

Price Differences Between Countries

While you can use your Mexican Costco membership in the U.S., product prices may vary between the two countries. Exchange rates, taxes, and shipping costs influence the final price of items. Certain promotions available in Mexico might not apply in the U.S., so it’s worth checking prices before making large purchases. Despite these differences, having access to both markets offers excellent shopping flexibility.

Payment Methods and Restrictions

When using your Mexican Costco card in the U.S., you should know that payment options may differ slightly. Most U.S. Costco locations accept Visa cards, cash, and certain mobile payments. If you plan to use a Mexican bank card, ensure it works internationally to avoid issues at checkout. Also, keep in mind that some U.S. stores may not honor local Mexican discounts or promotions.

Benefits of Shopping in Multiple Countries

Using your Mexican Costco membership in the U.S. opens up opportunities to explore unique products that might not be available in your local store. Costco’s variety of regional offerings lets you experience different selections and seasonal items. Additionally, having access to multiple warehouses allows you to compare prices and find better deals. This cross-border advantage can enhance your overall shopping experience.

Things to Remember Before Shopping

Although your membership works seamlessly across countries, there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure your membership card is valid and up-to-date before shopping. If you lose your card while in the U.S., you can request a temporary pass at the customer service desk. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with U.S. Costco policies, as they may differ slightly from those in Mexico.

Shop Freely Across Borders

Costco’s international accessibility is one of the reasons members love the brand. With a Mexican Costco membership, you can shop in the U.S. and enjoy many of the same benefits you have at home. Although a few differences in price and policy may exist, the ability to access stores in multiple countries provides great convenience. Take advantage of this cross-border feature and enjoy your Costco membership wherever you go.

How to Cancel a Costco Membership: A Guide to Save Money

September 3, 2024 By Latrice Perez Leave a Comment

Costco is one of the most popular warehouse clubs with more than 130 million members worldwide. However, Costco specializes in selling bulk goods, so . If you’re feeling dissatisfied with your shopping experience, you may be wondering how to cancel a Costco membership. Whether your shopping habits have changed over time or you just don’t feel like you’re getting enough value, it may be time to cancel. Fortunately, Costco makes it pretty easy to navigate this process. We’ll explain the steps below and offer some money-saving alternatives to cutting the card completely.

How to Cancel a Costco Membership

Unlike some memberships that force customers to jump through hoops to cancel, Costco has made the process quite easy and accessible. To cancel Costco memberships, customers can visit the in-store service desk or call the customer support line at 800-774-2678. Alternatively, you can fill out the online cancellation form found under the account details tab. Regardless of how you cancel, you can expect to receive a full refund of your yearly fee.

Cancel Costco Membership: Potential Alternatives

While the steps to cancel Costco memberships are quite straightforward, it’s important to note that there are alternatives to leaving that can save you money. From lowering the cost of your membership or increasing the savings, we have a few suggestions that may tip the scales in favor of staying.

Change Your Membership Level

Many people aren’t aware that Costco offers different membership levels. If you feel you’re paying too much, make sure you’re not in the wrong tier before you cancel Costco membership entirely.

Most customers have Costco’s Gold Star membership, which costs $65 per year. Costco also has an Executive membership that costs $130 per year, but offers extra perks. The main benefit is the annual 2% cash back reward that can help offset the cost of the membership.

If you spend enough, the Executive membership may actually be cheaper than the lower tier after factoring in your rebate. For example, a family that spends roughly $6,500 per year at Costco could expect to receive a $130 reward, which essentially makes the membership free!

On the other hand, some members may benefit from downgrading their membership from Executive to Gold Star. You have to spend at least $3,250 to break even on the cost of your Executive membership. Otherwise, it’s probably cheaper to downgrade. Costco has a calculator on its website that can help you estimate your Executive rebate and choose the correct membership tier for your needs.

Save More Money with Your Membership

Before you cancel Costco membership completely, make sure there aren’t other ways you could be saving. For example, Costco sells discounted gift cards from a variety of retailers, restaurants, movie theaters, and theme parks. According to RealSimple, you can often score deals like two $50 gift cards for just $79.99. Another benefit you may not be aware of is the Costco Direct scheme, which nets you additional savings when you purchase multiple big-ticket items at once, such as furniture and appliances. If you bundle five eligible items, for instance, you’ll receive a $400 discount.

You can also take advantage of Costco’s prescription discounts and affordable optical services and eyewear. Costco even provides deals on insurance, gas, and new vehicles through its auto program. The savings you’ll get from making full use of Costco’s benefits will offset the yearly membership fee and then some.

Buy a Membership on Vacation

Did you know a Costco membership can cost less in other countries? Due to currency conversion savings and regional price differences, it can be cheaper to buy a membership in some countries like Mexico and Canada. Costco memberships work worldwide, so if you snowbird or vacation in another country regularly, it may make sense to sign up while you’re there.

Share Your Membership

Costco allows you to add an additional member to your account as long as they live in your household. Sharing your membership with your roommate or spouse allows you to split the cost of the annual fee, making it more affordable.

The warehouse club also allows you to bring up to two guests and their children with you. However, they can’t make any purchases, so they’ll have to repay you for items later. Still, taking a friend can help you divide up the cost and quantity of bulk items between the two of you. This can make it more feasible for you to have a Costco membership if you’re a single person who doesn’t use items up quickly enough.

Cancel Costco Membership and Switch Warehouse Clubs

If you like the warehouse club shopping experience, but think Costco’s membership is too expensive, consider BJ’s and Sam’s Club. They often run promotions for year-long memberships for only $25. Now that you know how to cancel a Costco membership, switching will be easy!

Do you think Costco offers good value for money? Share your thoughts in the comments.