Because you don’t need fancy accommodation to feel rich in connection.

At Be Simply Free, we believe in collecting moments, not things—and one of the best ways to do that? A good old-fashioned, low-fuss holiday with the people you love.

Right now (yep, I'm typing away from the retro yellow dining table), we are spending time in a beachfront shack on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia that costs just $13.39 per person, per night. It wasn’t luxurious. It wasn’t styled for Instagram. But it has everything we needed: comfy beds, salty air, shared meals, and the kind of views you don’t forget.

And best of all—it gave us time to reconnect as a family, unwind with friends, and truly rest.

Want to do the same without blowing your budget? Here are our best tips for a low-cost, high-connection getaway:

1. Choose a Shack, Not a Resort

Simple holiday homes often have the best locations. No valet parking or room service—but you get real charm, character, and sometimes front-row seats to the ocean. Look for older properties or homes with flexible layouts—like the 4-bedroom (7 bed) shack we are staying in that comfortably slept two families (4 adults and 4 kids).

2. Split the Cost with Another Family or Friends

Team up with people you genuinely enjoy being around (bonus points if your kids are similar ages). Not only does it halve your accommodation bill, it makes the whole experience more fun. Shared meals, shared memories, and a bit of tag-teaming with the kids—yes, please.

3. Stay for a Week (Not Just a Weekend)

Weekly bookings are often significantly cheaper per night than weekends alone. The longer stay gives you space to slow down, unpack your mental load, and settle into the rhythm of rest.

4. Pick Friends with Kids Your Kids’ Age

This is a game changer. When the kids have built-in playmates, the adults actually get to relax. Less refereeing, more reading a book in peace with a cuppa. Magic.

5. Meal Share to Save Time, Money & Dishes

Take turns cooking dinner each night. One family cooks, the other wrangles kids—or sets the table and pours the wine. Fewer dishes. Fewer decisions. More connection around the table.

6. Embrace the Simplicity

Pack board games, books, bikes, beach toys. You don’t need a fancy itinerary. Think: long beach walks, sandcastles, a slow breakfast with ocean views, sunset chats on the deck.

7. Be Screen Smart

If possible, go light on the screens and heavy on the shared experiences. When the only "refresh" you're hitting is the sea breeze through the window, you know you're doing it right.

8. Don’t Wait for Perfect Conditions

You don’t need a school holiday, the perfect weather, or a Pinterest-perfect itinerary. Just a willingness to pause, breathe, and enjoy simple time with loved ones.

Because Here’s the Thing…

You won’t remember the matching towels or luxury toiletries.
You will remember the late-night card games, sunrise coffees, shared giggles, and salty skin after a swim.

This trip reminded us of what really matters: connection, simplicity, and creating space to slow down.

It’s your gentle nudge: you don’t need a huge budget to create beautiful memories. Just a shack, some snacks, and the people who fill your cup.

Want more simple ways to collect moments, not things?
Join the Be Simply Free Forever membership (Shh it's a hidden part of the website and I'm only letting a few people in while I build the new "Drop the Mental Load" course) and learn how to declutter your home, mind, and calendar—so you have more time (and money!) to enjoy what really matters.