Once we got back from our vacation, I began my search for new stroller because our old one was just about expired. I started paying attention to what others had while we were on vacation and the InStep brands kept rising to the top.

I found the following site very useful in my search.  Although it is simple, it provided me with the links and information I needed to purchase the product online and I got a discount.

Check out InStep Jogging Stroller if you are in the market for a stroller.  They have both single and double models.

I discovered that I was making a few mistakes.  First off, I was putting hot drinks in the cooler and then putting my ice on top of them.  This was causing my ice to melt at a rapid speed.  To correct this problem, I just put the drinks in the fridge a day or so in advance ( Got them in the pantry because I buy them when they are on sale) and then put the cold drinks in the cooler.

The ice - I told you we were going to get to pinching pennies.  Although it probably doesn’t amount to more than $20 a weekend by the time you factor in the gas and ice for restocking the cooler.  But.. $20 is $20.

The Trick- We save water bottles or 2 liter bottles once we have finished drinking them.  These bottles are refilled with water and put away in the freezer.  Depending on what size cooler I am carrying, I put between 1-3 two liter bottles that have been frozen in the fridge in the cooler.  Then, I just empty the ice from our ice maker in the fridge and I am good to go.

Using this method, I can keep an entire cooler of drinks cold all weekend long.  Usually the cooler still has quite a bit of ice in it when we get back home.

Obviously, it would depend on the duration of your trip, but for a weekend getaway or a day at the zoo.  This is the way to go.  It not only saves you some money, your drinks will be ice cold.