Recently we found ourselves having to take a two week trip to Richmond, Virginia. Jon was sent for two weeks of training that he really couldn’t get out of and I wasn’t ready for two weeks alone with the little dude. Since I had off of work anyway, and we hadn’t had a real vacation since our honeymoon, we decided to go together and make a vacation of it.
I didn’t want to empty the savings for this trip, so I did a lot of research and came up with a detailed itinerary plan so I would know exactly how much the trip would cost. For those of you that are “fly by the seat of your pants gals”, don’t dismiss the detailed itinerary. You don’t have to follow it verbatim (We didn’t). You can make substitutions and exchanges that are relatively equal, or just cancel a night and spend the evening in your P.J.’s (we did that too).
For two weeks vacation, we ended up spending $500.00 per person, including food, entertainment, lodging, and travel. I’ll take that (though, I would have rather gone to Cape Cod – maybe next year).
Here’s our Itinerary:
The Groner Family Vacation
Itinerary
September 24th 2012 – October 4th 2012
Richmond, Virginia
Lodging Information:
Monday September 24th 2012 at 3pm: Check in
Friday October 4th 2012 at 11am: Check out
Confirmation Number: 65052
Homestead Studio Studios
241 Arboretum Place
Richmond, Virginia 23236
· Cooking Utensils and Equipment Provided.
· Fridge, Stove Top, and Microwave Provided
· Free Wifi in Rooms
· On Site Laundry Room for Guests
(2.00 per washer and dryer- need quarters)
Total Cost of Lodging: $452.00 (including taxes and fees)
Groceries-
Menu- Week 1:
Breakfast Options: Bagel with Cream Cheese, Milk and Cereal, Pancakes with syrup and Jam.
Monday (9-24):
Dinner: Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Carrots and Southwest Ranch Dip, Brownies.
Tuesday (9-25):
Rowy Lunch: Turkey, Muenster, Pickle, Mayo Sandwiches. Chips, Soda. Carrots and Ranch Dip.
Dinner out.
Wednesday (9-26):
Rowy Lunch: Turkey, Muenster, Pickle, Mayo Sandwiches. Chips, Soda. Carrots and Ranch Dip.
Dinner: Bacon Lettuce Tomato Sandwiches, Side Salad, Microwavable fried Apples.
Thursday (9-27):
Rowy Lunch: Turkey, Muenster, Pickle, Mayo Sandwiches. Chips, Soda. Carrots and Ranch Dip.
Dinner: Order Pizza
Friday (9-28):
Rowy Lunch: Turkey, Muenster, Pickle, Mayo Sandwiches. Chips, Soda. Carrots and Ranch Dip.
Dinner: Microwave Family Refrigerated Trays: Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes (with butter, salt, pepper, and cheddar cheese), and green bean casserole.
Saturday (9-29):
Breakfast from options; Lunch either on road to Williamsburg or at Maymont.
Dinner out (either in Williamsburg or Richmond)
Sunday (9-30):
Breakfast from options, Lunch at Zoo, Dinner out.
***Monday (see below): Shopping Day in Morning to get groceries for this week:
SHOPPING LIST- Week 1:
1 Bag of Bagels: 2.59
1 Blocks of Cream Cheese: 1.49
1 Gallon of Milk: 3.50
1 Box of Cereal: 1.99
1 Package of Paper Plates: 2.29
1 Package of Forks: 1.69
1 Package of Forks, Spoons, Knives: 1.69
1 Package of Frozen Pancakes: 2.29
1 Jar of Strawberry Jam: 2.59
1 Bottle of Pancake Syrup: 2.49
1 Container or Canola and Butter: 2.39
3 Gallon Bottles of Poland Spring Water: 3.00
1 Case of small Water Bottles: 3.59
1 Bag of Frozen Grilled Chicken Breast: 6.99
1 Jar of Mayonnaise: 3.99
1 Stalk of Celery: 1.00
1 Small White Onion: 1.00
2 Loaves of Bread: 2.00
Salt and Pepper Shakers: 1.59
Baby Carrots: 1.29
Ranch Dressing: 1.29
Store Made Brownies: 4.00
Family Pack of Turkey: 8.99
Muenster Cheese: 2.49
Sandwich Slices of Pickles: 2.39
Bag of Potato Chips: 2.00
Case of Diet Vanilla Dr. Pepper: 3.50
Ready to Heat Bacon: 3.49
Iceberg Lettuce: 1.50
1 Beefsteak Tomato: 1.00
Bagged Salad: 1.29
Salad Topping: 2.49
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (small): 2.00
Refrigerated Fried Apples: 3.00
Refrigerated Roast Beef Tray: 5.00
Refrigerated Mashed Potato Tray: 4.00
Refrigerated Green Bean Casserole Tray: 4.00
Total Cost of Groceries Week 1: $101.88
Walmart Super Center is located at 900 Walmart Way
Midlothian, VA 23113
Menu – Week 2
Monday (10-1):
Rowy Lunch: Sonic on the way to Walmart Super Center
Dinner: Pulled Pork Sandwiches on Kaiser Rolls, Macaroni and Cheese, and Steamed Carrot Coins
Tuesday (10-2):
Rowy Lunch: T.V. Dinner for Lunch plus any leftovers.
Wednesday (10-3):
Rowy Lunch: T.V. Dinner for Lunch plus any leftovers
Dinner: Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwiches with Mayo and Pickle, Refrigerated Stuffing, and Cauliflower and Cheese.
Thursday (10-4):
Check out! Sonic on way Home.
SHOPPING LIST- Week 2:
Refrigerated Pulled Pork: 6.00
Refrigerated Macaroni and Cheese: 4.00
Steamables- Carrots: 3.00
2 T.V Dinners: 6.00
1 Bag of Sub Rolls: 4.00
Refrigerated Stuffing: 4.00
Green Giant Cauliflower and Cheese: 4.00
Total for Week 2 Groceries: $31.00
SUGGESTED ITINERARY:
Monday, September 24th, 2012:
· Pack the Car the night before.
· Breakfast @ Home.
· Jon leaves at 6am, Rowy leaves around 1pm.
· Rowy stops at Sonic on the way down. ($7.00)
· Rowy does Grocery Shopping at Walmart Super Center and unpacks essentials into hotel.
· Jon helps with the rest of luggage when he gets off.
· Dinner at Hotel, Unpacking, and Relaxing.
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012:
· Short Pump Towne Center at 6pm. 50.00 Spending Money per person (100.00 Total)
· Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory (within Short Pump Town Center) ($30.00)
· Consider the famous skinnylicious specialties (most under 10.00, and all under 595 calories), to go with a shared cheesecake (about 10x 595 caloriesJ)
· If Michael’s crotchety, consider getting take out, they pack it up with utensils to go and we can have a picnic under the twinkle lights. (actually- that sounds kind of amazing!)
Wednesday, September 26th, 2012:
· Dinner at the Hotel
· Night Time Putt Putt Golf at 7901 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia 23235. Around 8pm. $7.00 for 1, Second Player free with Entertainment Card. Bring Bjourn Carrier for Michael (or stroller). Total Cost: $7.00
Thursday, September 27th, 2012:
· Order Pizza at Hotel: Use Entertainment Coupon (Free side (up to 4 dollars, with purchase). Consider the 10.00 Dinner Box (1 rectangular Large Pepperoni Pizza, 10 Cinnastix with Icing, 10 Breadsticks with Marinara. Then we can get free wings as a side for only $10.00! (Order something else to meet 15.00 delivery charge minimum). Total: $20.00
· Rent a movie in the hotel: Total: $7.00
Friday, September 28th, 2012:
· Dinner at Hotel
· Movie at Regal Westchester Commons Stadium 16, Midlothian Turnpike and Rt. 288 Midlothian, Virginia 23114. The blogs suggest that taking a newborn to a movie is fine as long as one of us is prepared to rush out with him if things go badly. They also said that we should stick to something fairly family friendly (spiderman, brave, etc…) because those crowds are baby friendly. Buy Tickets ahead of time at entertainment.com for $3.00 per ticket discount: $7.00 per person= $14.00 Plus Popcorn- $5.00. Total: $19.00
Saturday, September 29th, 2012:
· Alternate Plans depending on whether Babies are allowed at Meghan’s Gallery opening (and whether it’s one of those crazy $1,000 admission ones).
o Plan 1: Williamsburg
§ Breakfast at Hotel
§ Lunch at Sonic (11110 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia 23235) Bring Coupon for Free Cheeseburger and Free Coney Dog from Entertainment.com Total: $12.00
§ Head down to Williamsburg for Meghan’s Gallery Opening
§ Take the stroller and walk around Williamsburg (work off all that Sonic!)
§ Dinner at Aromas Café and Bakery at Merchants Square or Jon’s Favorite Barbecue Place. $25.00
§ $25.00 per person to spend in Merchants Square. Total : $50.00
o Plan 2: Richmond
§ Breakfast at Hotel
§ Canal Cruise around Noon. 139 Virginia Street, Richmond, Virginia. $6.00 x 2: 12.00 Total. 5 star guest reviews!
§ Lunch at Great Wraps, 711 A North Lombardy Street Richmond, Virginia. Use Entertainment Book Coupon for Buy One Wrap, Get One Free. Total: $10.00
§ After Lunch, Head over to the Edgar Allen Poe House. Buy one admission, get one free coupon. $6.00 + 1 free= $6.00
§ Dinner at Sonic: (11110 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia 23235) Bring Coupon for Free Cheeseburger and Free Coney Dog from Entertainment.com Total: $17.00
Sunday, September 30th, 2012:
§ Breakfast at Hotel
§ Maymont at around 11am! Admission Free. Carriage Rides for two: $10.00, Tram Ride for two: $3.00.
**Sorry for Picture Overload- But you can tell what I’m most excited about!!!
§ Lunch at the Maymont Cafeteria. Total: $20.00
§ Must See’s before you leave Maymont: The Petting Zoo, The Japanese Garden, and the Water Fall.
§ Dinner at Friendly’s, 11603 Midlothian Turnpike Midlothian, Virginia 22113
Use Entertainment Book Coupon for 5.00 off 25.00 bill. Total: $25.00
Monday, October 1st, 2012:
§ Dinner at hotel
§ Rowy has lunch at Sonic on the way to Walmart to get groceries. Total: $7.00
§ Work on Family Mission StatementJ
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012:
§ Canal Walk – Free, 139 Virginia Street, Richmond, Virginia.
§ Dinner at any restaurant in Entertainment Book with 2 for 1 Meal Deal. Total: $30.00
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012:
§ Dinner at Hotel
§ Pack up all of our stuff, Load Car except for overnight essentials.
Thursday, October 4th, 2012:
§ Check out at 11am, Head Back Home.
TOTAL TRIP COST FOR 2 WEEKS VACATION: $1,000.00
$850.00 CURRENTLY BUDGETED; BUT GROCERIES ARE INCLUDED SO WE SAVE THE 120/WEEK NORMALLY BUDGETED FOR THAT.
TOTAL BUDGETED: 1,090.00
Add to Packing List:
Bjourn Carrier
2 reusable Water Bottles
Entertainment Book and Coupons
Movie Tickets
Cooler Bag and Freezer Packs
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