They only cost 51 cents – the penny to be pressed, stretched or elongated and 50 cents to have it done. You can purchase a holder for the pennies as you start to collect enough of them to display and keep them organized. The cost for the collection books are about $10 – $15 currently.

One of the things that makes collecting squashed pennies so much fun is that you can never finish collecting them all. Disney changes the types of pennies offered in the machines and changes out machines too. Most machines offer three types of pennies within the same theme. For example, near a Buzz Lightyear attraction, you most likely will find a machine that offers pressed pennies that featur Buzz, the attraction itself and Zurg.

I suggest just getting one penny from one machine. This makes the search for new pennies surprising each time. You never know what you’ll find at the next machine. If you plan on another trip next year in or the years to come, bring along that display book and try to find some more pennies to fill it up.

Don’t forget to use older pennies without zinc. Preferable pennies before the year 1982. This way you won’t have any silver shining through after the process of pressing. If you want a shine, use some silver cleaner on the pennies before you press them.  This is something the family can do before your trip.

Of course there’s always something exciting to do at Disney, but adding a fun family event like collecting Disney pressed pennies makes you look forward to your trip even more.

I was so happy when my 10 year old daughter was able to handle 4 different flights in a row to get us from Florida to Hawaii. The jet lag and travel sleeplessness that had me and my husband totally wiped out, was just a means to an end for her. With this trip behind us, I know she would enjoy a family trip on British Airways

There are so many places to travel using this airline. British Airways is not just about London or Europe it’s about the Middle East and even Africa. I know that our daughter is dreaming about Japan, but I’m looking more towards Paris or Rome.

Right now there’s a November Seat Sale going on at BA where you can visit lots of cities including Madrid, Nairobi, Tel Aviv and so many more. Amazing savings alert! Book by November 19th and be sure to read all of the details but there’s pretty flexible dates: Travel period: November 17, 2009 – March 28, 2010 (excluding December 21-23 2009) and March 29 – May 23, 2010, except for travel to India where the travel periods are November 17 – December 10, 2009 and December 25, 2009 – May 23, 2010.

BA offers an “Upgraded” experience with:

• 200+ On-Demand Entertainment Options
• Complimentary food and cocktails on all flights
• Comfortable in-flight experience: Ergonomically designed seat, complete with lumbar support, adjustable headrest and recline.
• Blankets, cushions, eyeshades and flight socks to make your journey a more comfortable one.
• Convenient and relaxing lounges at Terminal 5

Where would you choose to travel with your family?

Depending on your child’s  age or ability decide how to save money for a trip:

• Give them extra chores to earn money for your upcoming vacation.
• They can either start their own or donate to the family’s change jar. If donating, the money is actually divided among the children only. Don’t let them know that until right after the change is transferred into paper money!
• Have them help with pre-vacation chores like packing their pajamas, choosing a certain number of toys to take along, finding tote bags, etc. for a set fee per chore.
• Reward your children for thinking of ways to save money when planning your vacation. You will need to help them with this but it can be a fun learning experience.
• Tell your children before you leave how much money they can spend or how many souvenirs they can purchase with their money. If you plan on adding to their money discuss that, as well as how to look for less expensive items to purchase and not buying on the first day.
• Using the internet with your children to plan your vacation can enable them to understand what things cost. For example if you’re flying, visit the travel website you’re using and show them the air fare costs. If you’re driving, use maps online to route your trip. Talk about gas prices.
• Use websites for your destination. Find the hotel site you’ll be staying at, the activities you plan on taking part in, the dining options you’ll have, etc. Check on the prices of meals if possible. Then show them how much you can save by either bringing picnic lunches or eating at a less expensive restaurant. Find sites that show general or actual prices of souvenirs. Search for outlets near your destination that provide less expensive items. All of this information can guide your children in learning how to save money on your trip.
• As for souvenirs, make rules in advance. If your child purchases something and then whines or complains that they want something else, but has no more money to spend, let them know the consequences. You can take their item away for the day or an hour for example.
• Focus on the positives, find ways to have fun with your children’s help, without spending too much money. One of my older daughter’s favorite memories is my packing lunch when we’d go to the water parks and to the theme parks in Florida. She told me when she was older that even though there was food to buy, she felt loved because I’d pack something special to eat and would remember everything, including the napkins!
• Your children will learn that being together, seeing new places, and finding fun along the way is the best part of family vacations not how much money they can spend.

It’s easy to teach your children to save money for vacations when they know that something great is coming up soon. Take advantage of planning for a trip to include money management skills as part of the fun.

• Free Activities: We love going to the park, having picnics, going to the beach, looking for neighborhood events like children’s fairs, art festivals, etc. Even at free activities, there will be items for sale, so make a budget in advance. If your children are old enough, let them know how much they can spend for themselves.
• Low Cost Events: I scan the newspaper and local TV news to learn about discount admissions to museums, movies, state parks, etc.
• Free Family Time: Make a normal family time special. If you have a game night, do something new to make it more exciting. Turn it into a tropical theme. Everyone wears bathing suits, put down a some beach towels, find some sand toys and clean sea shells and put on tropical music. Then play your games on your own family beach indoors!
• Purchase a 2009 Entertainment Book for half price to get savings on eating out, groceries, movies and much more. If you are taking a vacation, you can purchase one for that area to take along with you and keep the savings going while you’re away.