Let’s be real. Most people’s budgets are tight right now, especially when it comes to travel. With high gas prices, expensive grocery bills, and exorbitant airfares, it’s hard to imagine adding “family vacation” to your summer bucket list. But as moms, we want to give the gift of travel to our kids so they can discover new destinations and experience new adventures. Yes, travel can be expensive, but there are lots of ways you can save on costs, cut expenses, and still have the perfect family getaway. So, let’s start planning because pretty soon you’ll have a flight (or car) to catch!
Travel During Off-Season
The best tip I can give you is to travel during the off-season! This will differ based on where you are going, but check out what times are the slowest. Hotel rates and condo rental prices drop tremendously during off-peak times of the year. We used to travel to the beach during the fall right after everyone went back to school and I saved a bundle. Check the weeks when traffic is the slowest, and plan accordingly.
Look For Discount Bundles
Almost all parks, zoos, and attractions offer some type of discount and, most of the time, children under two are completely free. You can bundle this together with lodging and save big bucks. Many times, zoos, museums, and science centers offer reciprocal programs to their members at similar attractions across the country. If you hold a membership to attractions like these, do your research ahead of time to save some extra money at your destination! Also, museums and historical sites sometimes offer special days of the week where you can get in free or at half price. Utilize the internet to search for these discounts!
Cook Your Own Food
If you are going to the beach or the mountains, get a condo with a kitchen. Bring or buy groceries there, and cook your own food! This will save you so much money. Although it is exciting to travel and try new foods and local fare, this is a big budget-buster. If your kids are picky eaters, they generally waste their food at restaurants anyway. Pack the foods you like, buy groceries, and enjoy cooking together. You can even pack freezer meals ahead of time and then re-heat when you’re ready! Plan to have one or two nice meals out to give yourself a treat!
Travel with Friends and Family
Bring family or friends along! Kids love to have other kids to play with, and you can split the childcare duty among the adults present so you all get a break. Splitting the costs of food and lodging can save you money that you can allocate elsewhere for entertainment or shopping as well.
AirFare Savings
Hopper and Google Flights are great online resources that compare options for lowest fares on flights. Remember, you don’t have to book your outbound and return flights with the same airline. Look into and compare costs of one-way and roundtrip flights to and from your destination. It might take a little more time, but it’s worth the research if you can save some money. Don’t forget to double check your points! Booking flights with points has saved me a fortune! Also, checked baggage fees can really add up. If you can make it work, try bringing a carry on.
Plan Ahead
This is a game changer! Plan ahead. Pick your destination and start doing your research. I have joined many Facebook groups, read many travel blogs, and browsed many sites reading reviews and tips. By doing this, you will be able to plan the trip of your dreams without breaking the bank.
Look for Payment Plans
Remember the Kmart or Walmart layaway plans our parents utilized for Christmas? Now there are plenty of places that offer you to split payments, and most offer this interest free, or for a very nominal fee. Paypal, Affirm, Sezzle, Klarna, Afterpay and many more will allow you to book travel through airlines, hotels, VRBO, etc. and pay in 4 installments. This is huge for those on a budget! And you can have the bigger items paid off before you go, allowing more budget for entertainment on the trip.
Look for Hotels with Free Meals
Plan to stay at a hotel that offers a free continental breakfast. Hotels have really upped their breakfast offerings, with eggs, waffles, various meats and more! This ensures you get your protein in and will be fuller longer! You can take snacks for later, such as fruit, or non-perishable goods. Other hotels, such as Drury and Embassy Suites, also offer evening snacks. These will go a long way in feeding you and your family and saving you money!
Start a Travel Saving Fund
Put money from every paycheck aside as your budget allows, and begin your travel savings account. Even saving $25 a month will help! Small changes add up to big results!
Go and Travel!
I hope that you can take at least one of these tips, if not all, and start to plan amazing trips for you and your family. Now, go hit the road without fear of breaking the bank!
