VACATION! Family trips can be expensive, but there are ways to save money and make a getaway more affordable. You could visit Aunt Gretchen, her six cats and her town’s Museum of the History of Something You Don’t Care About. Or you could avoid that disaster-vacation of inevitable Griswold proportions and simply follow these three frugal travel tips.
1) Don’t Rent the Luxury Suite
The most effective way to save money on your family’s adventure is to plan. That is especially important when choosing a place to stay. When looking for a hotel, remember this: You are on vacation. You will be out exploring, playing and creating all sorts of memories all day long. If you are spending much time in your hotel room, you’re probably vacationing wrong. You only need a place where you can get a good night’s sleep, so consider 2-star hotels instead of their more expensive cousins. Make sure to look for discounts on sites such as priceline.com and hotels.com. There are also a few alternative options to explore, including hostels, campsites or renting a furnished house or apartment. All can be cheap substitutes for an expensive hotel room.
2) Don’t Eat Out Every Meal
While experiencing new cuisine is an important and enjoyable part of a vacation, you don’t have to get a $20 sandwich from Tiki Tom’s for every meal. Choose certain meals to eat out as a family, and make them long, enjoyable and special events. For the other meals (yes, you should continue to eat three meals a day) make sure to plan ahead. If there’s a stove, you’re in luck. Your options are endless. If not, make sure to stock up on what you need for plenty of sandwiches, cereal and anything else your family eats. Most likely there will be a refrigerator, otherwise you can bring your own cooler. Also, immerse yourself in the local culture by trying to find where the locals choose to eat. (One good way is to ask them.) Not only will these places be cheaper, but they will also give a visitor like yourself more of an authentic dining experience.
3) Don’t Spend Like a Tourist
“Hey, we’re on vacation, baby!” is not a good excuse to pull out your wallet at every request. One way to avoid spending unnecessary money is by steering clear of the heavy tourist areas They’re called tourist “traps” for a reason. These enticing and insidious areas are full of people and businesses offering their services and souvenirs in exchange for their visitors’ money. It can be very hard to say “no”. No matter where you go, be wary of your souvenir collection. It’s fun to bring something back home to remember your trip, but small trinkets, shirts, gifts and hats can add up to be an expensive bill.
The total price of a vacation can be greatly reduced by following these simple guidelines. Save money on your lodging, don’t overspend on food, and keep your “tourist spending” at a minimum. You’re sure to see how you can have a memorable family vacation at a discounted price, all while avoiding Aunt Gretchen’s cats.
Share your vacation stories here! What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on? What’s the worst? Do you have any tips to save money while traveling?
