The calendar may say spring, but it seems Mother Nature did not get the memo. Winter is holding on tightly, which makes the idea of a vacation even more appealing!
If you find yourself dreaming of blue skies, warm sun on your face and fresh air, then it is time to plan a getaway! But, of course, you want to make sure you plan your vacation with your budget in mind. After all, coming home to a mountain of bills will do nothing more than make you want to run away again.
Know your budget
Before you even think about planning your vacation, you need to have a budget. And, you need to stick to it. You certainly do not want to return home to a stack of credit card bills you can’t pay.
Plan ahead
As much fun as it can be to decide to take a trip at the last minute, careful planning can pay off. Research airfare and hotel destinations to find discounts and offers. Visit sites, such as GroupOn, to find discounts on admission and food for the location you plan to visit.
Be flexible
Most people plan a vacation that starts on Saturday. This year, schedule a shorter vacation that runs during the week. Not only can you sometimes save on airfare by flying off-peak times, but venues are less crowded on Tuesday vs. Friday.
Don’t buy stuff
Whenever we go anywhere with our kids, they want something to take home with them. They love those little souvenirs. Buying one small item usually won’t hurt the budget, but getting several of them certainly will.
If you want to buy such items, do so at larger stores rather than the little shops within theme parks or in the airport, as you will pay much more. Instead, swing by a big box store and find those items where they are much more affordable.
Skip the hotel
There are many sites, such as Airbnb, that offer homes or condos to rent. Doing so can be less expensive than paying for a hotel. Not only do you have more space to relax, but you will also save money on food.
A trip to the grocery store will cost you less than dining out for every single meal. Even cooking a couple of meals at home will save big money on your vacation.
Stay at home
Skip the big vacation this year and stay home! Look around your community for things to do. It could be fun to be a hometown tourist and visit your local museums and venues. When you live in a city, you often don’t take the time to enjoy the amenities those visiting your area usually do.
Check for special rates
Don’t forget to check your memberships for special rates. If you belong to a warehouse, AAA or another club, they may offer discounts on airfare, hotels and even rental cars. You’ve paid to belong, so take full advantage of your membership perks.
Pack the snacks
If you are visiting an amusement park, make sure you bring along your own snacks. Otherwise, you can expect to pay big money when you get hungry as the snacks are often somewhat costly.
Toss granola bars, cracker packs and other small snacks into your suitcase. Before you head out each morning, toss a few into your backpack, so you have something when the kids tell you they are hungry.
We did this when we went to Florida a couple of years ago. I could not believe how much money we saved by having a go-to snack handy vs. buying junk food when we were in the parks.
With a little budgeting and planning, your spring vacation will give you the chance you need to relax and get away, while being stress free.