Living on a budget doesn’t mean you have to forgo a family vacation. Just because you can’t afford to jet off to Maui on a whim doesn’t mean you have to stay home and suffer in the heat. All you need is time, a decent budget, and flexibility to plan your next summer vacation. Ready to start planning your next getaway? Read further to find out.
1- Consider Off-The-Beaten Path Destinations
Everyone wants to go to Florida, California, New York City, and Las Vegas. The more people who flock to a certain destination, the higher the price your hotel and airfare will cost. Save extra money and drive to a city or small town thats not to far from where you live. If you live in the mid-west, consider Des Moines! Iowa’s largest metropolitan area, which also happens to be the state captial, offers big city fun with the appeal of a smaller town. You’ll find the the same kind of events, city parks, and attractions that you’d find at bigger cities for less money and with less crowds. Get out a map and start researching small cities and towns that are near yet far at the same time. You might be surprised.
2- Drive, Don’t Fly
Depending on how far your destination is, try to see if you can fit your car into the budget. If you plan on taking your car or vehicle, make sure you add extra money just in case because you may need it should your car break down or you run out of gas.
3- Keep The Vacation Short
As tempting as it may be, try to keep for vacation 3 to 4 days instead of a week or more. The longer you’re on vacation, the higher your hotel fees become not to mention the temptation of spending more money on souvenirs, dinner, and drinks. Stick within the budget and try to spend a little less than you plan. Even if you do go over your vacation budget by a little bit more, at least you’ll know how to budget and what to do different next time!
