Is travel high on your priority list? For me, it totally is. It’s where I’ve made some of my best memories with my family, BUT it can be tricky budgeting for the expense of it–especially in the summer, when all of the rates skyrocket.
The HH and I always set a travel budget before we go anywhere. It helps us make sure we don’t come home and add up all the receipts only to find we may need to start living in a cardboard box. We also try to take advantage of credit card points, etc. Planning the big stuff BEFORE we head out, helps us make sure our budget is realistic. There’s tons of ways to cut corners to make a vacation fit within your budget, though. Here’s a few to keep in mind if you are planning a family vacation:
- Where to lay your head? The obvious choice is a hotel, and maybe, just maybe, you can score yourself a screamin’ deal. More than likely, though, you are going to be paying at least $100 a night, and bunking up in super close quarters. Try renting a house for the week. A friend of mine just scored a 4 bedroom house WITH A POOL within 5 miles of Disneyworld for $700 for the week. She split it with another family, so her family’s cut was a $350. Not too bad, if you ask me. Another option, if you are headed to a college town, is to check out local dorm prices. Seriously, most colleges will allow you to rent their empty rooms for pennies. It’s a great experience if you have teenagers too–they can get a taste of dorm life.
- Food. Food and shelter will be the bulk of your costs. If your digs have a kitchen, you can save tons right off the bat. If not, there’s still ways to save. Try the deli counter at a grocery store for lunch. You can usually get a chicken and fries or a premade sandwich for waaaay cheaper than a restaurant–plus you don’t have to tip. For dinner, order a pizza and pick it up–you can bring it back to your room and save the cost of a sit-down restaurant. Also, research kids eat free nights before you get to your destination. That $5.00 per kid adds up quick, it’s much cheaper when you only have to pay for you and the hubby.
- Entertainment. The cost of having something to do once you get there can also add up. Do some research. Every city has free activities. Hit the beach instead of an aquarium {even with parking and snorkel masks, you will still be in less than your typical aquarium}. Look for parks with hiking paths or wildlife refuges instead of zoos. Try the local Costco for discount passes for local attractions.
- Transportation. Rental cars are expensive. There are definitely ways to save on them, but if you are looking for deep savings you may have to consider other options. Cities with public transit systems can be a great way to save money. {They are not ideal, however, if you have little ones.}
- Pack light. If you fly, packing light can save a bundle on baggage fees when you fly. Pack enough that you can carry your item on. It is a hassle, but the savings are totally worth it.
- Plan ahead. Sign up for facebook alerts, etc. for attractions and locations. That way, if there is a special, you will be the first to know. You will also be able to track deals–making timing your trip a little easier.
- Communicate. Tell the kiddos your daily budget during travel {unless they are toddlers, in which case, they will not care} let them know exactly what to expect. Let them know which places they will be able to pick out a souvenir and which places they will won’t. Better yet, have them set their own budget with their own money for their souvenirs. Either way, telling them up front helps to avoid impulse purchases that you might make during vacation euphoria.
How do you save money so you can stick to a budget on vacation?
~Mavis
America’s Cheapest Family has a whole travel section with lots of AWESOME and unique tips on saving money. {You’ll love all of the other money saving tips too!}
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Lana says
With 5 children it was tough to even get out of town when they were growing up. Our solution was to buy a 1/12th share in a lake house about 2 hours from home. We were able to pay cash for the share so all we have is maintenance fees. They have edged up over the 15 years we have been part owners but right now they are only $480 a year for 4 weeks of getting away. Plus the value of the property has tripled so one day we can sell our share and possibly have made back all that it ever cost us! Now that the kids are all grown hubby and I love going there all alone and hubby says no kids are ever coming along again!
Laura says
I like this idea! 🙂
Lynne says
Mavis, I love to travel and while I’m not completely a “shoe-string” traveler, I am always looking for ways to control what I’m going to spend. I always check to see if there is a local site for Groupon or Living Social at my destinations and sign up there a few weeks before I travel. I check out as much of my itinerary as I can on sites like Trip Advisor; sometimes, reviews persuade me to skip an attraction I’d planned to visit, or I learn about something I hadn’t considered. There will probably be costs involved in these attractions, but at least there will be a good chance I’ll feel the money was well-spent. If I find what looks like a really good deal on a hotel, there are a number of places on line to check reviews to decide if it’s just a cheap place or a great deal. If I am not renting a car, I always research the best ways to get from airports to hotels. Many city destinations have deals on public transport for visitors, reducing the cost of subway and bus travel even more. Finally many cities also have special deals for admission to museums and such, sometimes in combination with transit packages and sometimes stand-alone.
Lana says
One thing to note. You can purchase restaurant.com certificates and then if you do not use them you are able to go into your account and exchange them. Also there are reviews of the restaurants available now and so you are not leaving so much to chance.
Jen J says
One of the best things we did a few summers ago was to buy an Entertainment book for the city we were going to. We saved hugely on food and entertainment. At the end of the week, we totaled up what our food and activities should have cost us versus what we actually paid and we had saved over $600. Plus, it gave us ideas for alternative activities and restaurants we might otherwise not have known about.
Also, we just did a big vacation to Europe with the kids and by booking our air and hotel (with free breakfast – score!) we saved a lot of money. We just got fruit or something light in the early afternoon if we needed it, then were able to splurge with nicer dinners. Also we used credit card points to pay for a day excursion trip. And while many consider those “bus tours” cheesy, if you’ve never been to a place before, it really helped to just sit back and enjoy someone else taking care of the plans for the day. Especially with our teenage kids. Everyone at my work was amazed that we were going overseas with the kids, but I reminded them that all you have to do is be smart about your choices.
Lynn T says
I love the book “Americans Cheapest Family”…I read it every couple of years and always get something new out of it. My family is heading to Vegas in a couple of weeks and I subscribed to the Vegas Groupon site. So far we have bought golf for two, Fast Tracks racing for two, a dinner out and a spa experience…all for dirt cheap. The rest of the vacation will just be soaking in the free sites that Vegas has to offer.
Eileen says
I always check the local CVB’s website for coupons or ticket packages that save money on major attractions. I’ve even found car rental discounts this way. I also try to track down cool parks or unique playgrounds. They’re free and get you away from the tourist zones to see what local life is like. Restaurants are often cheaper and kid friendly, or you can raid a local supermarket for picnic stuff. If you’re adventurous try a homeswap and get your lodging for free.
mary mcmahon says
Hope you are back “on the air” soon. mary in cincinnati