Taking A Family Vacation On A Budget

Taking a family vacation does not have to be overly expensive. While you will certainly need to spend some money, there are numerous ways to apply money management strategies to your trip to keep your expenses within budget while still having a good time.  Here are some great tips to help you plan an unforgettable yet budget friendly family vacation:

Consider Driving Over Flying

Even with the high cost of gasoline, driving is most likely the more economical option for vacation travel.  The high cost of airfare, especially if you have a larger family – can eat up your entire vacation budget! If you do need to fly to your destination make sure to start looking very early for bargain priced tickets. Usually the earlier you book the more you save.

Look At Other Options Besides Hotels

Hotels can be costly and there are other great options when it comes to accommodations. First, if you family loves to camp, a camping vacation is usually very budget friendly. Other ideas include renting a beach home or condominium for a week instead of nightly accommodations.

If you do decide to go with a hotel, look for ones that offer special packages like kids eat free with a paying adult, or hotels that offer free breakfast or include activities in your room price.

Eat Wisely

If you are driving, you can pack food from home, which can save you a bundle of money. Make sure you pack plenty of snacks and easy picnic meals for the road. Bring along a picnic blanket and find a rest area along the way for lunch.

If you are staying where you will have a kitchen you can bring pretty much all of your own food which will save a fortune on longer vacations. Invest in a cooler for your perishables or find a grocery store once you arrive. If you plan out simple meals to make before you leave home you won't have to waste a lot precious vacation time cooking.

If you are going to eat out you can save money by skipping appetizers, desserts and drinks other than water. Instead, bring some treats along with and pick up your favorite drinks elsewhere to have in your room. Another great way to save on meals while on vacation is to eat out your main meal at lunch and then snack at dinner time. Lunches are usually less costly. You can also check for places where kids can eat free and look for restaurant coupons. A final great idea is to do take out. Just getting a pizza one night to share can really keep your food budget down.

Other Great Tips To Consider

Here are some other great vacation money saving tips you will want to consider:

• Make sure your car has been tuned up before you leave home including having an oil change, spark plugs checked, etc.
• When you can travel during the off season and take advantage of lower travel rates.
• Budget and purchase everything you can well ahead of your vacation. This will keep you from having to scramble to find enough money just before your trip.
• Bring your own bottled water from home, or fill a jug of water with ice that you can refill while on vacation. Buying bottled water on the road can be an astronomical expense.
• Before leaving home research and find out what is offered at your chosen accommodations and be sure to take advantage of what is included in your lodging price.
• Before leaving home look for free and inexpensive things to do at your destination.
• If you have babies or toddlers, bring along a stroller as the cost of renting can be high.

Vacation From Home

Finally, if you are super tight on money but still want to vacation consider doing small day trips from your home instead. Most people never take advantage of what is close to them and you just never know what you might find close by. Plus, this kind of vacation comes with free lodging.

About the author

Trisha Wagner is a personal finance writer providing content for Vertex42.com which offers a large selection of free spreadsheet templates and financial calculators.

If you need advice on preparing a will make sure you get in touch with industry professionals to help you generate the most suitable document for you and your family. Using a simple will writing tool will ensure you have everything covered.

People who read this article also read:

1. How To Plan A Vacation On A Budget
2. Healthy Food Shopping On A Budget
3. Setting Up Your 2011 Budget