I really, really want the snow, rain, and fog to let up so we can go camping.

The weather is understandable, since it's February, but I'm still impatient.

For me, the "I can't wait to go camping" attitude is a far cry from 3 years ago, when our daughter was under a  year old, and we were tent camping - not in a cushy camping trailer like we are now.  And let me tell you, the experience is VERY different.

Related: Camping with A Baby?  Read This First.

While I'm so thankful for the way we camp now, in the time that we roughed it in a tent, I learned a few tricks about how to make it easier, cooler, and a happier experience for everyone.

Here are 7 Life-Changing Tent Camping Hacks you need to know:

While we'd all like to think that camping is only sunshine and happy times.

But the reality is that weather is unpredictable, whether you've scheduled a camping trip or not.

Even if you monitor the weather like a hawk before you go, it's always best to be prepared for anything.  Here's how:

Camping is a time for unplugging, for getting to know one another (since you're family and all) and for spending time in the great outdoors.  No kids camping activities needed.

If you're in the tent, watching a movie, or playing on  your phone the whole time, then you've missed the point.

If spending your leisure time outdoors is one of your first loves, you can invest in a 2 person tent for camping that allows you to enjoy communing with nature for overnight trips, while still allowing you to avoid the heavy packs and complicated setups that some tents require.

Whether you backpack, bicycle or snowmobile, you can find a variety of high-quality, 2-person tents that will provide maximum comfort with a minimum of weight and hassle. These come in a variety of designs and configurations.

Here are 5 of the top 2 person tents for camping on the market today:

When we started camping several years ago, I disliked it.

And not just a little bit of dislike, but I had full-fledged hatred for this activity that happened to be one of my husband's favorites.




The bugs, the heat, the cold, the sleeping on the ground/air mattress/sleeping bag, cooking over a fire and so many other things left me scratching my head, trying to figure out why on earth he loved camping so much, when we could be comfortable, at home, Netflix bingeing.

But you know what I disliked the most?

My husband has said, on more than one occasion, that I'm a nightmare when I'm packing for a camping trip.

It's not that I don't want to go, it just that camping by definition is away from cities.  It's rural and probably pretty far from the closest walmart.

So the prospect of forgetting something important freaks me out.

That's why I use these simple and quick camping packing tips to simplify, reduce my stress, and never forget anything important:

If you’re a Hiking Newbie, you’re in for hours of fun and relaxation!

But before you head for the hills, or trails, you'll want to go over this checklist of what to wear from head to toe. For the most part, what you wear is not mandatory, but can make a difference on how much you enjoy your hike, while providing protection from the elements.

I'm not going to lie to you, it can sometimes feel like the sheer amount of camping items you "need" to go camping can be overwhelming.

So much so, in fact, that I keep 3 totes always packed with camping stuff (bedding, cooking, kid stuff) but I still start packing from my meal plan and packing list a week in advance.

Think about it: if you're miles from the closest store, and trying to vacation on a budget, can you really afford to forget something....anything?

My camping items must-have list include things that:

• have many different uses
• that take up as little space as possible
• that are affordable
• and that will stand the test of time.

Give the list a go - I promise you won't be disappointed!

There's something about Christmas lights that bring out the child in all of us.

Or when we're camping, maybe the redneck (rural American??).

Perhaps some of both?

Since we've already established that I am definitely  more of a "glamper" than true naturalist, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I find a campsite strung with Christmas (or other cool) lights to be very, very exciting.

We're already outside enjoying a bonfire whilst fending off mosquitos, and as the sun sets, lights on campers and tents only add to the fun, carefree night time environment.  In some ways, it takes me back to bonfires at summer camp, boys I had crushed on, and sneaking glances behind our counselors back.  Summer camp was serious business, but now as I look back at it, it was probably because the darkness + romantic lighting created the right environment for it.

And the alcohol certainly doesn't hurt this memory state.

This Memorial Day, we're heading to our first private campground for a full 5 days of camping!

If you're new here, I encourage you to check out my free meal plans, money saving tips, and other articles from the blog to get you started - or just read more about me!




We'll be setting up camp on Thursday, May 26th, then leaving Monday, May 30th.  And while we were really hoping for beautiful weather (aren't we all when we camp!) it looks like we might have rain every day.  Not all day every day, but at least once a day.  Here's what the forecast currently looks like:

One of the biggest complaints I hear about camping is the dirt.

I know.

For myself, I'm more of a glamper, than a hard-core outdoorswoman, so I would have to say that dirt would probably be my chief complain about camping.  Well, that and the mosquitos, the heat, and the fact that it takes me away from my beloved kitchen.

I'm joking, mostly, but that brings me to one important purchase we've been looking to make since purchasing our camper for this summer's camping excursions: an outdoor rug.

Why is this so necessary?

Well, mainly because camping is done outside.  And, anyone who has been camping before knows that without the proper preparation, dirt gets EVERYWHERE.  It doesn't matter if you're tent or camper camping, if you're fastidious about taking your shoes off outside, or your wear them inside your camper.  Dirt still gets everywhere.

If you want a better, cleaner, more comfortable camping experience, then an outdoor rug is a MUST.

Kids can play on an outdoor mat, it gives a sort of "clean place" for eating and lawn chairs, plus, a place to put your shoes when you take them off.  Basically, an outdoor camping rug helps keep the dirt out of your tent or camper.

That being said, if you buy the first one you find, you'll spend a small fortune.  Some of the rugs I looked were more than $700, and I'm sure prices go even higher!

The family who camps together, stays together.

And if you're shopping for a family who camps this Christmas, chances are you're looking for a gift that is innovative, practical, and functional.

When camping with a family, there are certain items you need to bring in order to make the trip successful and pleasant.  From lanterns to sleeping bags, and cool little accessories, there are gifts for the family who camps and for every budget on this list!

Outoorsmen need gear that can take on any type of weather, that can go from outdoors to every day, and that are innovative enough to make braving the elements for the love of the great outdoors that much easier.

Which is why I'm bringing you the 19 best gift for outdoorsmen, for every budget, taste, and style.  They're all versatile enough to be used in many different scenarios: at home, camping, kayaking, hunting, and much, much more.

Here's what takes these gifts to the next level: With these gifts, each and every time your outdoorsmen uses them, he'll remember that you gave them.

I don't know about you, but when we went from camping as a couple, to camping as family, things changed drastically.

All of the sudden, the necessities we packed had tripled, and we now needed a pack'n play, a fan, and tons more room.  Not to mention all of the extra food and cleaning supplies we needed.

Above all, we needed a new tent, and being the over-researching type-A person that I am....and not the mention frugalista in me.......I went on the hunt for the most perfect, most affordable tent for family camping.  What I came up with was this list of 8 of the best tents for family camping, based on the following criteria:

• The Ability To Stand: My husband is 6'4", and while that's not super tall, it's tall enough that he gets really tired of ducking.  He didn't want to duck in his tent, and quite frankly, taller tents have more room.
• Easy Set-Up: Keeping one eye on a toddler and another on placing the proper tent poles in the correct slots is a recipe for disaster.  Each and every tent I selected is one of the easiest to set up on the market.
• Separate Rooms: Maybe not a necessity, but having 2 separate rooms is certainly nice when camping with the family.
• Either Cabin or Dome Style: these two tent styles tend to be taller, lending themselves to more headroom, and they tend to take up more floor space, checking off items on my list.
• Reputable Brands/Quality: We wanted this tent to LAST, so no off-brands, or sketchy brands on this list.

If camping makes you think of bugs, grime, and sweat, then these camping essentials are for you.

I can't guarantee that this list will eliminate all of the bugs, all of the grime, or all of the sweat, but packing them definitely help get rid of some of the discomfort of camping - provided you don't leave home without them!

The first part of this list has to do with all of the dirt, grime, and bugs - mainly keeping them off!