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Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

Lifestyle, Travel

Bucket List: Check!

3.07.2016

Bucket List Check!

Guys! Guys! GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m making that check. You know the one. The check! The check that you spend your whole life (thus far) thinking about. The check that you work towards every day. The reason you go to work every morning, the reason you skimp on eating out every night. The check that you feel is your check. You know the one.

I know you’re thinking about your check…but for one minute, let’s talk about mine. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been thinking about this check. I’ve been dreaming about this check. While other people were buying Coach purses or Louboutin heels, I’ve been buying Merona purses from Target and wearing my Chucks with pride. While other people have spent a few hundred dollars on a nice dinner out, we’ve been treating ourselves to In N Out. I know that sounds frugal, but it’s not. We definitely splurge for a double-double every once in a while.

To be completely honest, I’ve been a little frugal my whole life. Don’t go so far as to call me a cheapskate (which may be slightly accurate), but I’m definitely tight with my money. While it is definitely true that we travel quite often, we do so with complete frugality. Let me explain.

When we know that we have time off to vacation together, I spend hours online researching our trips. I scour the internet for weeks looking for the best deals, the best tips, and the best times to travel. Typically our trips are relatively inexpensive (read…better word than cheap). I pack our bags with everything we’ll need to avoid extra costs while traveling, and try to make the most of every trip. So far we’ve been able to see some of the coolest places on our lists. And saving our money for the trip.

I put in overtime on this trip already. While I typically spend a few weeks researching my trips, I’ve been pricing this trip out for over a year. I’ve put in hours looking for the best time to travel, the cheapest time for trips, and the ways to work around the expensive costs. While we definitely got a “good deal,” we are still spending more money than we’ve spent on any other vacation thus far.

French Polynesia

So there you have it. My whole life I’ve been waiting for this trip. I’ve always wanted to stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. While that was the dream, we are actually going to the beautiful island of Moorea (pictured). I didn’t know enough about the islands before my research, so I didn’t realize the islands are equally beautiful (but with Moorea being much less expensive). I could not be more excited for this once in a lifetime experience.

After our trip, I’ll hopefully be able to give you a list of all my tips on how to save some serious cash if this is your check too!

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Comments

  1. Julia says

    3.07.2016 at 3:44 pm

    I can’t wait to hear about it and get your tips! I’m always looking for a way to save on a vacation, and this one sounds like a bucket list topper for sure! Have fun!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.08.2016 at 11:16 am

      I can’t wait! I already have so many tips to book, I’m sure the list will grow. 🙂

  2. Jamie says

    3.07.2016 at 4:11 pm

    Ahh so jealous!!! Pictures please! But try to post the less than stellar ones to lessen my jealousy haha jk

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.08.2016 at 11:15 am

      Hahaha wouldn’t that be funny? I post a bunch of blurry photos? Maybe I’ll consider it. 😉

      • Jamie says

        3.08.2016 at 3:08 pm

        Haha that would be hilarious!

  3. B says

    3.07.2016 at 5:43 pm

    Didn’t you check a bucket list item when you married that modest male model husband…? #cantwait

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.08.2016 at 11:15 am

      Right. Modest? More like egotistical. Hehe love you!

  4. Nad says

    3.07.2016 at 5:43 pm

    Wow Shauna! I’m really happy for you <3 Looks amazing!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.08.2016 at 11:14 am

      Thank you Nad!!! I’m so excited! Can’t wait to show all of you!

  5. Mia Grizzle says

    3.07.2016 at 9:31 pm

    Oh, this looks dreamy! I’ve always loved looking at those Bungalows over water and wondering what it would be like to stay in one. I’m sure you will love it! 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.08.2016 at 11:13 am

      Ahhh me too! I can’t wait! I am hoping it meets my expectations, since I’ve been dreaming about it for so long!! 🙂

  6. Krystle says

    3.08.2016 at 1:35 pm

    Woooooohooooooooo!!

    One bucket list item checked off, next up: your trip to the Maldives 🙂 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.08.2016 at 5:21 pm

      Hahaha I’m not sure that one is happening! This is in place of that trip. Unless we decide to never have babies…then it might be a possibility! 🙂

  7. Kristy says

    3.09.2016 at 7:40 pm

    OMG! Sooo jealous… This is my check, so can’t wait to hear all about your amazing trip! Hope you have an absolutely fabulous time!!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.10.2016 at 9:27 am

      Ahhhhhhh I tried telling Todd that you guys should come with us!!! <3

  8. Kristine says

    3.11.2016 at 10:33 am

    SO JEALOUS! This looks like it is going to be an amazing vacation! Can’t wait to see the pics!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.11.2016 at 3:50 pm

      Ahhhhhh I sure hope so!!! Can’t wait to share! 🙂

  9. Martina says

    3.11.2016 at 9:15 pm

    I’m so excited for you! (And a bit jealous! ?) Can’t wait to see all of your beautiful pictures and hear all about it!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.14.2016 at 9:41 am

      Ohhh thank you!!! Don’t be jealous, I’ll take you with me!!

  10. Minaxi says

    3.11.2016 at 9:59 pm

    This indeed looks amazing 🙂 You are gonna love those water bungalows that is for sure 🙂 I was besides myself when I discovered them in Maldives 🙂 Have a splendid dreamy perfect vacation 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.14.2016 at 9:39 am

      Ohhhhhhhh the Maldives! My first true love. Haha!! I wanted to go there, but with the length of the flight, it was just more plausible to go to Tahiti! 🙁

  11. Allison says

    3.11.2016 at 10:56 pm

    I cannot wait to hear about this trip!!
    That is definitely one of my “checks”! Well, it’s always been Bora Bora, but I’m really open to any island with water that blue!! 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.14.2016 at 9:38 am

      Yeah mine too! Bora Bora just for the name. But when you start looking into it, Moorea is the same! Most trips actually spend 3-4 days in Moorea and then another 3-4 days in Bora Bora. But to save the cash, we figured we’d rather go to Moorea than not at all! 🙂

  12. Erin Ashlee says

    3.13.2016 at 4:41 am

    So exciting! Bet it can’t come fast enough!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      3.14.2016 at 9:37 am

      Wanna come with? I’ll put you in my suitcase.

  13. Kathy and Kevin Bligh says

    4.29.2016 at 7:46 am

    Let the anticipation begin!!!

About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

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stayinghomesawyer

Somewhere along the way we forget to find the joy Somewhere along the way we forget to find the joy in all the little things. The little joys in twirling in a flower field. Stopping to smell the flowers. 

If we want our children to enjoy all of the little joys, we need to make sure we are doing it too. What little joy did you enjoy today?
Growing up, I dreamed of living by the beach and p Growing up, I dreamed of living by the beach and palm trees. It was magical to me. I never felt like my soul belonged in a landlocked state. A cold state. Were there beautiful things about it? Of course. Summer in Wisconsin will always have my heart. But living by the ocean will always be where my soul feels at home.

Over twenty years ago I got in a car and drove across the country to San Diego with a few friends. I’ve now lived here longer than I lived in Wisconsin. And even though I’ll always “be” from Wisconsin, my girls will always be from San Diego. And that’s a crazy concept to me. Raising the girls at the beach was something out of my dreams. So now I can teach them firsthand that we CAN make our dreams come true!
I remember when my oldest was little and someone t I remember when my oldest was little and someone told me that she NEEDED to go to preschool or she’d never catch up. I feel the same way today that I felt then, six years ago. My daughters never NEEDED preschool. Is it a good option for some parents (or the only option for others)? Yes. Is it BAD? No. But kids don’t NEED it. They need outdoor spaces, they need playgrounds and parks and beaches. They need free play with neighbors and friends and family. And yes, if none of those are options, of course preschool is not a bad idea, but can we stop pretending kids that don’t go are going to be irreparably harmed?
There’s just something about that second child. Th There’s just something about that second child. They pick up everything so quickly. They’re unstoppable. They want to do everything and they want to do it now. 

Second child life.
The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so glad we have daughters,” I just about melted. Because like most men, he always envisioned a son. Someone he could pass his useless sports knowledge to, someone he could play mediocre golf with. Maybe someone to watch the hockey playoffs with (that doesn’t complain like I do). 

When we found out our second girl was coming, he famously said he watched the pink smoke hoping it would turn to purple and then blue. The first thing out of his mouth after he really digested it was, “now I have to pay for two weddings.”

And then one day, not long after the second came along, he realized why he’s a a girl dad. Because he couldn’t be more perfect for them. And they are exactly what he needed.
After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’ After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’t see how there’s any other option. God’s beauty is in everything, and sometimes I feel sad that I’ll never be able to see it all.
My husband and I never thought we’d be the homesch My husband and I never thought we’d be the homeschooling family, but here we are. What started as a few things here and there that we didn’t like, exploded into not liking much of anything in a traditional school, and liking just about everything about homeschooling. 

So now, here we are, on a random weekday, exploring our city. Picking up shells and learning about science. Meeting new people and gaining new friends. There’s so much more than doing lessons at home (although those happen too, don’t worry). There’s a whole big word out there to explore.
I have this theory. I think that as women, even wh I have this theory. I think that as women, even when we are done, we never really feel “done.” I think it’s innate. It’s biological. We were designed to procreate. We were designed to mother. When all of that is over, REALLY OVER, it’s a sad moment. It’s hard to accept. It’s hard to move on.

If you had asked me years ago if I would feel like this, I would have told you, “absolutely not. I’m done.” But when a woman gets to a “certain age,” it feels hard to accept. 

How do you feel?
The secret is out… I don’t spend more money than The secret is out…

I don’t spend more money than most. A party at a trampoline park is about double (if not more) expensive than this. A party at a park with a jumper? More expensive. It’s not about the money, it’s about the prep.

I spend months in advance planning for my parties. As soon as my girls decide on a theme, I take off (and we don’t do theme switches once anything has been purchased). My biggest money saving tip is to try to get the theme MONTHS in advance. I’m literally planning my daughter’s October birthday party already! 

So for those of you wondering, you absolutely CAN do fun parties on a budget. You just need a little more effort, and a little more time. 💕
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