online deals

Vacations and weekend getaways are a luxury, but they don't have to come with sky-high penthouse price tags. Follow these travel websites daily for fast-moving deals that keep holidays on budget.

• Travelzoo — If there's a deal, it'll find it. The experts at Travelzoo work tirelessly to ensure people do not pay full price for their travels. Sign up for newsletter emails, so you get the latest deals before they're uploaded to the website.
• Travelocity Dashing Deals — Travelocity's newest offering is its flash sale site, Dashing Deals. Each day it offers a new three- to five-star hotel deal for 50 percent off the listed price. Of course, it won't have a hotel in your destination of choice most of the time, but it sort of makes you feel like a lottery winner when the travel stars align and a perfect deal is listed.
• Hipmunk — A clever take on the standard travel search engine, Hipmunk uses color-coded airlines and beyond-basic search parameters, like overall trip agony, to make even the "getting there" part of vacation a little less painful.
• Airfare Watchdog — If there's a destination you're planning to visit, it's in your best interest to obsessively stalk Airfare Watchdog on Twitter. It often lists airfare sales that are so limited that waiting more than five minutes to book a fare is too late.

Source: Flickr User The-Lane-Team

It's too hot to do anything besides online shop, so we've rounded up this week's best online deals for mamas and kids.

• Save 20 percent at Diapers.com Diapers.com is clearing out its Summer inventory with the XTRA20 promotion. It's still pretty hot out, so stocking up on Summer basics isn't exactly a waste. There's tons of great Carter's gear on sale — rompers, skirts, and dresses as low as $4, and a huge selection of Robeez shoes for between $11 and $16, less than half their regular price. To redeem, enter promotional code XTRA20 at checkout. (Offer expires July 25, 2011)
• Buy one get one free at OshKoshB'gosh The original kids brand is running a buy-one-get-one promotion of tons of its basics. Stock up on back-to-school essentials like leggings (two for $18) and long-sleeved graphic tees (two for $20).
• Save up to 40 percent at Puma.com Puma is having a semi-annual sale with footwear, clothing, and accessories up to 40 percent off. The brand has accessories starting under $5, clothing for $6, and footwear starting at $12. Shipping is free with orders of $85 or more. (Offer expires July 31, 2011)
• Save big at The Children's Place The Children's Place is having a huge sale with lots of stuff for kids, newborns, and babies. It has swim starting at $8, shorts for $5, and tees and tanks for $5. Shipping is free with orders of $75 or more. (Offer expires July 24, 2011)
• Create a free online baby book at TotsSites.com Privately share photos, movies, and more with friends and family, because not everyone on Facebook cares to see that first potty picture!

I'm all about saving money when it comes to fitness. I barter for free Pilates classes, use collective-buying websites to get group discounts, and work out at home. I'm also loving Passport to Prana. A $30 fee lets you take one yoga class from each of the participating Passport to Prana studios located in a specific city. For example, if you enroll in the Boston Passport to Prana program, you can take one class from each of the 52 participating studios until your membership expires in January 2011. That's less than $1 a class!

At the moment, Passport to Prana is only available in eight US cities (and eight in Canada, too), but there are plans to add eight more cities by the end of the year. When you sign up, you're mailed a card that you can use when checking in to each studio. Next to free yoga, this is a deal that really can't be missed — especially when yoga classes can run anywhere from $10-20 per class.