Afford a Vacation on a Budget in Orange County, California - Plus Day Trip ideas Disneyland, Beach, Movies, Museum

Think... Day trips as mini vacations! Think locally. With a little googling, binging, or yahooing, coupons and discounts a vacation is possible! As an example, for those that live here in Southern California, Orange County there is a lot to offer... we live in a vacation destination location! I have some day trip ideas. First, here's an idea for a vacation not so away from home, unless of course you aren't in OC. Have you dreamt of an ocean front property? Why not vacation right here in our own backyard? Oceanfront properties can be pretty pricey especially in the Summer months (lasting through September). Yet, if you are close to home, think of the savings: no flights, less gas costs, and no need for a car rental.

I found one oceanfront deal for you in Laguna, CA.:

This oceanfront property in Laguna is for those less accustomed to luxury and more about location. Weekly rates start at $1000 for the studio; Summer rates are $1500. The studio has a large lounging porch right above the sand and big screen TV: Studios De Laguna http://studiosdelaguna.com/

What about Disneyland?

If you want you can book a hotel nearby Disney and park hop for a couple days, or skip the hotel and park hop for the day or more stay home and go back... either way we live close enough that a hotel is not even needed! And guess what? You can find tickets for less! Try Craigslist: Disneyland on Orangecounty.Craigslist.org I haven't tried this personally but you can rent your park hopper tickets for less! Found this: http://cheapvacationforyou.com/ Located near Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.

Try searching for other tickets for concerts, other amusement parks, and other day trip ideas. Local concerts are much cheaper for entertainment. Craigslist, www.pennysaverusa.com for ads and coupons too.

Day trips are the easiest "mini vacations". You can fill your calendar with lots of these: Plan your dining and fun for the day (use coupons), and go home after- you can have lots of "vacations" like this on a tight budget.

Beach Trips:

Park yourself early at a nearby bonfire and barbecue, voila beach vacation!
What you need to plan a beach day/evening: Lots of large throw blankets, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, jackets, sun umbrellas, chairs, towels, a couple coolers, picnic basket, drinks, sandwiches and other goodies (fyi hold the mayo not safe if set out too long), for the barbecuers keep it easy with hot dogs and buns, marshmallows and sticks (real ones or metal for roasting). You can vary this trip for a park trip instead.

Dana Point Harbor Dana Point CA. offers Sports-fishing and Whale Watching: Half priced days Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Calendar/buy tickets: http://www.zerve.com/DanaWharf


There are also lots of freebies out there, search online in your local area for free entertainment.

Here's one idea for you in Newport Beach, CA:
Orange County Museum of Arts: Free admission every second Sunday and children under 12 are free: OCMA.com Rates You can also visit South Coast Plaza nearby for dinner and shopping.

Cheap fun!

$1-$2 Movies! Recently out movies; Dollar hotdogs YAY! Not in California? Look for one near you! http://www.starplexcinemas.com/locations.php
In Orange County, CA- Woodbridge Movies 5, Irvine: 4626 Barranca Parkway, CA 92604 Movie Line 949-733-0980, info 949-733-3795

Make it a Tuesday for Dinner and a Movie!: $1 movies are on Tuesdays and Ruby's diner nearby offers free meals after 4pm for children 12 and under with adult meal purchase also on Tuesdays. In the Woodbridge shopping center there are coffee and bakery shops, a painting class for kids and adult, and a Barnes and Noble bookstore. Nearby a bridge takes you just a walk away to a beautiful lake with swimming ducks. Fun for everyone in the family... even on a budget!

More ideas anyone? Comment and share with your locals. Gotta help each other in this economy.

Remember God's Holy Angels are With Us

Via You Tube: Guardian Angel Caught on Tape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSJ-vMbqJ7g&feature=fvw

I remember a few times I have been prompted by the Holy Spirit, and quite possibly by an angel or my guardian angel to act and help someone. A couple times people have called me an angel. I am not one, but I do believe they are here and here to help us. As I write this, I feel I have one with me now, I cannot see one, but I feel protected, guarded. I know there are many traffic accidents I have been helped in, or even avoided. I know that my dreams have come true at times, prompting me that I need to pray. I have a sort of awareness, discernment of good and bad in the 'supernatural' world. God's Holy Angels are here to help us, to send us messages and protect us. Then there are 'dark angels', fallen angels referred to as demons. The holy angels, protect us also from them.

Remember, the lord is with us everywhere, in every moment. And listen to your quiet voice, the warnings and the promptings. And be thankful for them.


from Gospel.com "Entertain Angels" http://www.gospel.com/topics/entertain+angels "We're not to hesitate to help or extend hospitality to strangers--for sometimes the strangers we're helping turn out to have been sent by God. We never know through whom God will speak to our lives, so we shouldn't ever turn down an opportunity to serve."

Hebrews 13:1-3 1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.[a] 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

[a. Hebrews 13:1 Greek Continue in brotherly love.]

Is California and Mexico Falling off soon? Look at this Earthquake Map, plus helpful information

No, I don't think we are really falling off the map anytime soon, but check out this site, especially Mexico- Baja California area- WOW! There are so many earthquakes and aftershocks since Easter's big one. So far in South Orange County I have felt 3 total, the 7.2 and 5.5 from Mexico area and last night 1.9 in SE California. I know people closer to the Mexico border have felt even more. Check out this earthquake map for today 4-10-2010 Map Centered at 37°N, 120°W

Southern Orange County, CA Coastline

Quick Links To bookmark:

Earthquake site with worldwide information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/
Prepare for an earthquake: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/prepare/
The earthquake site is good for updates and to report if you "felt it".  I can hardly believe I felt one in SE California late last night while checking out the earthquake site. I refreshed the page and saw it listed at 1.9 magnitude, don't know how I felt that! My desk and chair are a little wobbly which makes it easier to notice though. Interesting stuff though, crazy how much the land we tread on shakes beneath us!

I am just going to put this out there- Please don't take me seriously, would just be 'trippy' if this came true. I had a dream this last week about a year and the World Series? I don't really know why. Now, I was just searching earthquakes and it turns out there are a bunch of people expecting a BIG ONE in California West coast to happen later this year. Okay, I don't follow that stuff! But, I just came across information that stated in 1989 there was a 7.1 in San Francisco during the World Series... this wasn't the year I dreamt I think? This just felt a little ironic, So I want to make a guesstimate... If I am right than whoa! If not, hey it's just a guess for fun?...
Remember just guessing, maybe a broad range sometime in October: October 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, or 9, 27 2010, if I had to pick one specific date- for fun... hmm October 7, 2010.  I really don't know. Just based on some numbers about the World Series. I am not usually one to predict stuff, but I have had some strange dreams come true- the last being a tsunami, a boy lost from home rescued by a bus driver, and death/murder, the location and what they looked like, police and a family= All of these I saw soon later in the news/paper the last one being very close to my home.

1906 San Francisco earthquake, some of my family survived this.

And no, I don't think California, Mexico, or the west coast will fall off the map. I watched some information that more likely over a period of time, that I won't see, the coast of Cali will shift upwards. Tsunami's are another story, I do think that our coastline is wearing away from the ocean tide. In my lifetime the sand on local beaches here are half of what I remember. Whatever the case we are in God's hands if a big anything comes. Don't worry just learn to be prepared, we have no true knowledge of when... anything, except that we know there will be disasters.

God bless, Alysa

OnlineAuction.com Sell for less than Ebay! Is this the next big auction site!?

If you have seen other online auction sites, and saw nothing really comparable to the top auction site of Ebay- you should check this site: www.onlineauction.com While your at it look me up! Search seller AlysaVan - I have a collectibles and good deal designer clothing- just a good mix of upscale resale, treasured gifts- new, used and vintage items.

This online auction site, simply named Online Auction (www.OnlineAuction.com or www.ola.com), seems to be an established company to try if you are tired of the rising fees on Ebay or the incomparable efforts of free auction sites. This site has a few options for joining to buy or sell. I was happy to see only a monthly fee of $8.00 us per month to sell unlimited, with extras like larger thumbnail photos, extra photos and if you want you can pay $10 for a featured gallery homepage listing. It seems that so far the site is doing fairly well. Sales seem to favor vintage jewelry, coins, and sports cards memorabilia. It is worth trying, somebody should stand up against the power auction house of Ebay!

If you want you can join what they call OLA Houses (comparable to Ebay stores) for $196.00 the first year and $96.00 each following year- limited to 1 million first founding members! Check it out on there site for up to date policies/fees. I will tip my glass to lower selling fees any day- here's hoping it makes it more popular, spread the word too for buyers if you like it!

As always I like saving money and offer this tip not to steer anyone away from Ebay or other auctions, nor am I affiliated with Onlineauction.com - but when I find a good find, I will be sure to share. I will update more after I have had a longer go at this auction site to see if my selling efforts have paid off!

God's blessings and hopes for prosperity! Alysa

Online Auction Founding member information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw9Xto6KHQk