Spring break is right around the corner… followed quickly by summer vacations. There no better time than now to start thinking about planning for vacation. With gas prices on the rise again, you’ll need every edge you can to cut corners on costs for a fun, yet frugal get-a-way.
Here are ten tips for getting the most out of your family travel plans without breaking the bank:
Travel off-season during the season.
It’s not a secret that travel prices often go up during peak season, but there are also down times during peak periods where you can capitilize on savings. Working with a travel agent can help, but you can also do a little digging of your own to find the lower priced rates during the season by searching the web or calling the hotel, airline, and so forth directly to ask about specials and slow seasons. The extra perk of traveling off-season is also less crowds!
Shop around.
Deals always look great, but chances are with a little more searching, you can come up with an even better price. Run a web search on your destination and take the extra few minutes to check competative prices.
Don’t forget about employer discounts and potential savings through clubs like AARP or your auto insurance. Once you’ve thoroughly researched the options, you’ll be confident that you truly have the best deal.
Consider camping.
Local camp grounds can offer a great escape for very little cost and if your travel dollars are tight, staying in a campground is a fraction of the cost of staying in a hotel. There’s plenty of upsides and generally, children love the adventure. Plus many camp grounds have playgrounds, swimming pools or lakes, and free activities for children.
B.Y.O.S.
Bring your own snacks. Pre-packaged nuts, granola bars, dried fruits, gummies, and so on do not take up much room but will save you a bundle. Plus, the snacks you bring may be far healthier choices than the candy bar you pick up as a quick snack fix.
Eat out earlier.
Take advantage of cheaper lunch prices and make it the main meal of the day. Then have a light dinner. As a bonus, you’ll probably sleep better without having to digest as much!
Rent an ecomomy car.
If you have a gas guzzler and you plan to take a road trip, consider renting a car instead. When you tally up the car rental and the savings on gas, you could potentially save a bundle.
Collect free souveniers.
Stop at tourism offices during your trip where you’ll always find nice local souveniers like keychains, pens, maps, and stickers. You’ll also find these types of things during your travels and more. Keep an eye out for them and make it a game to see who can find the best “free” memory of the trip to take home. (Just be careful not to take home things that may be protected by laws!)
Bring entertainment.
Activity books or small toys can be a lifesaver when traveling with children and you’ll be far less tempted to purchase an expensive item in the hotel gift shop for “busy” time.
Use second-hand gear.
If you need specialty items for vacation, bathing suits, or even camping gear, consider borrowing them from a friend or relative or shopping at thrift shops rather than buying new. You’ll save a bundle on items you are only going to use infrequently and still have the things you need.
Use your options.
Frequent flyer miles, travel perks from work, and coupons in travel guides are often ignored. Use these options to take full advantage of the savings.
Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here
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