September 6, 2014

Using Birthday Money - Day Trip

The girls received a total of $80 in birthday money.  I'd rather use the money to take them to do something fun rather than waste the money on more toys.  We discussed this with the girls and they agreed they would like to use the money to go to the Columbus Zoo.

I've always wanted to go to the Columbus Zoo but every time we have tried in the past, the weather hasn't cooperated.  Tomorrow is going to be 75 degrees and Sunny.  A perfect day for the zoo.

The zoo is open from 9 am - 5pm.  My goal is to get the girls to bed early tonight so that we can be on the road by 7:30 tomorrow.  It's about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive.  I want to have as much time as possible at the zoo because it is a very large zoo with an aquarium and lots of rides.  But realistically, I don't think we'll get on the road before 7:30.

Here's a run down of the costs and ways we are going to try to save some money on our day trip tomorrow:

  • Gas - Estimating about $40.  This will just come out of our normal Gas Budget of $100 every two weeks. 
  • Food - Packing drinks, snacks and lunch.  Will probably purchase a fresh squeezed lemonade (my favorite) and ice cream at the zoo. We'll pick up dinner on the way home (McDonald's or Taco Bell). Est: $30, Money will come from Mr. R's and My Spending Money
  • Parking - $8.00, Not much I can do to save money on Parking
  • Zoo Admission -  $14.99/adult, $9.99/child.  We get 50% off with our Akron Zoo Membership Card.  Total Cost: $25.00
  • Rides - All Day Unlimited Rides wrist band $9.99 per person includes 15 different rides.  A pony ride for the girls is an additional $4 each.  Not sure if we will do this but figure I'll plan for it.  Total Ride Cost: $48


3 comments:

  1. Not sure how recently you've been to the Columbus zoo, but they've opened their new Africa exhibit and it's very large. There are a few new experiences you can pay for, including feeding a giraffe for $3.00, and a camel ride for $8.00. Keep those in mind! We live minutes from the zoo and have a membership, and we're planning on going tomorrow as well. Enjoy!

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  2. Replies
    1. I've never been to the Columbus zoo. We've tried to a couple times but always ended up having bad weather. So I'm really excited to finally be getting there.

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