One thing I have found out about myself in the past year is I enjoy traveling much more then I ever thought. In fact I use to wonder what all the fuss was about traveling here and there. After our trip to LA for the Biggest Loser Finale, my recent trip to Pensacola for Brandcation 2012, and my amazing Real Steel LA trip I found that new places and experiences are exciting!
However one thing that these three trips have in common…I didn’t pay for them. I won one, was sponsored for one, and invited to another. With a family of five you can imagine how expensive traveling would be. In fact this July my aunt is throwing a 90th birthday party from my grandfather who honestly looks like he is about 70 in Michigan. I really would love to go, maybe if I had an Expedia voucher (as you can find here) or some free miles my trip would be affordable. The cost to send five of us to Michigan is well over $1500. In fact just flying from South Florida to North was over $5oo.
So how can you travel on a budget?
- Stay Close to Home: This of course would cut out on travel expenses, maybe a hotel with a nice swimming pool and play area like our stay at the Hilton Orlando. Or maybe take a close camping trip where you don’t have to pay for airfare or a hotel.
- Online Research: If you do plan on visiting some where further away research where you are going, the attractions in the area, try to find discount passes. A great place to find out of the way places and deals is by checking out traveling blogs.
- Set a Budget: Set a budget and stick with it, give yourself a little cushion for extras but decide a head of time what you plan to spend and stick to it.
- Be Flexible: If you can be flexible with your vacation time you may be able to get better deals during off peak seasons or traveling by plane on weekdays instead of weekends.
- Stock Up: When you are on vacation you want to splurge and have fun but don’t do so out of necessity do so out of pleasure. For example there is no need to eat all three meals out every day. Find a hotel with a free breakfast, or bring your own breakfast protein bars, trail mix, fruit, etc. are great breakfast foods. Bring your own drinks and snacks instead of pay $3 at the vending machine.
When I plan a family vacation I spend a lot of time find the best rates on everything I want to do, this way I know I’m getting the most for my money. I once purchased an Orland Escape pass on Ebay and stayed in an Orlando hotel outside of Disney fro $89 total for all three nights. If you have been to Orlando then you know that is an awesome deal. I purchased Disney tickets 4 days for $99. Due to the 4 day tickets we made the whole package into two separate vacations.
I’m not an international traveler I’ve only visited Canada a couple times without the use of an Air Canada coupon it was just a road trip over the bridge when I lived in Michigan. My family and I use to drive over for Danny’s pizza which a friend of mine told me was no longer a pizza joint. However I’m sure the same travel tips apply overseas. Research and budget and you will be on your way to a no stress family vacation!
If your looking for a great way to stay in budget check out Coupon Codes where you can save a lot of money. While their check out there travel category.
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Mike Stavros says
I tend to spend vacations close to home, where I can daytrip. I don’t mind spending on airfare, but hotel stays quickly eat into my vacation budget.
1stopmom says
Great tips. I was just talking to my husband about doing a few road trips in Wisconsin.
Jenn says
We are staying closer and closer to home each vacation it seems. Thanks for the tips!
Jamie K says
Great tips!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
Great tips! We usually stay somewhere with a kitchen and make all our meals.
Rhiannon Rowland says
We always pack a snack bag and cooler, you pay a lot more for snacks on the side of the road. Another good thing is double check your checklist, having to buy things you forget can add up.
Michelle S says
I agree with filling a cooler with your own snacks, drinks, etc (where applicable) to cut down the cost of traveling .
Alison says
Love these tips! Though we don’t really do too much close to hom, but usually a 4 hour drive. 🙂
Colleen says
That is us too we usually drive up to Orlando for vacation 3 hours.
Chelsea Saulpaugh says
Setting a budget is very important. After a trip I took a few years ago to Florida, I realized I had spent WAY more than I had planned to. Ever since then, I always make a tentative budget before hand.
shelly peterson says
Great tips! sounds like you really know how to find some good deals Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca Xavier says
Great advice. I love road trips and saving money.
gina says
i love your blog and all the advice! 🙂 i can’t wait to see what you will be up to next! 🙂 you are quite the role model for me!
gina
gridlockmanifesto says
It is true that eating 3 meals a day at a restaurant is not necessary, and not only that, but we usually overeat in a restaurant so we’re not hungry yet when the next mealtime comes around. We eat a big breakfast, snack for lunch, (when we’re out and busy anyway) then eat an average dinner. That cut our food budget in half when we started implementing this. The other idea came from my Dish coworker; he suggested the kids use the tablet PC’s for watching TV. We use our Sling Adapter so we can watch live and recorded TV from our DVR back home, along with the Dish Remote Access app on our iPad and Galaxy 10.1. It was nice that we didn’t have to listen to the fighting in the back seat this time, and I kept my peace of mind.
Joan says
Great tips! Especially #5…we alwasy make a run to the store for these items on vacation.