By: Nicki Shinn
With the state of our economy and the ever-rising food and gas costs, we find ourselves having to tighten the belt and watch our spending. Many are cancelling vacations and deciding to hold off on travel. Hold up! You don’t have to do that. There are still ways to make family traveling work within our budgets this summer and throughout the year. After the Covid debacle these last two years, people are ready to get out, relax, and explore. You deserve it! Here are a few ideas, tips, and tricks that will help you get your travel on without breaking the bank.
1) Plan something close to home. Plan something within a few hours of home. Many of us live in beautiful states that, frankly, we haven’t completely explored. Staying close to home saves you money on gas and gives you peace of mind during these uncertain times. Begin by going to your state’s tourism website to find out what is available. See if there are any fairs and festivals worth exploring. These events often include great family-friendly activities such as shows, contests, local crafts, specialty shopping, and local cuisine. Even doing a road trip, spending a night or two in a different place can be fun and cost effective.
2) Consider state parks! If your state is like mine, it has an abundance of wonderful state parks to explore. Many offer a variety of budget-friendly overnight options including cabins, camping, and lodges. The cost is very affordable. A trip planned during the week, rather than on the weekend, will save you a ton of money. State parks offer a variety of activities and entertainment as well. Many have lakes, boating, fishing, biking, and hiking to name a few. Some even have pools, amphitheaters, and ranger programs. Guess what…the majority of these activities are FREE! Get out there and see what your state has to offer!
3) Plan your meals carefully. This is an excellent place to save a few travel bucks. As the travel planner in my family, one of my rules is to always book hotels that offer free breakfast. Use Trip Advisor or Expedia to scope out breakfast reviews for hotels you are interested in. If you are driving, another great way to save on meals is to picnic on your way to and from your vacation destination. Pack a small cooler with some sandwiches, drinks, and snacks and hit the road. There are all sorts of pavilions and picnic tables at rest areas for a nice, relaxed lunch…FOR FREE! The majority of fast food is overpriced and unhealthy, so it’s a win all around. Lastly, look for coupons and deals on restaurants near where you will be vacationing. Adjust your day to have an early dinner in order to catch happy hour or early bird specials. Going out for lunch rather than dinner can also save some money, as many restaurants offer a cheaper lunch menu. By planning ahead, you can save money in your travel budget, while still enjoying meals out. You only live once, order the crab legs!
4) Share the cost of a vacation rental with family or friends. Just like everything else, vacation rental costs have shot straight up. Many are double in price from just a few short years ago. I have found that traveling with extended family or close friends and splitting the cost is an excellent option. You may not be able to afford that beach front house this year, but you can probably find one to cost share that does work within your budget. I have found that you can get a larger home that accommodates the same amount of people as two to three smaller properties for a much cheaper price per person. I travel a lot with my extended family and it always makes for a great memory. My kids certainly love it…. give it a try!
Travel doesn’t have to be elaborate, complicated, or expensive. Just exploring and experiencing new places and things is what it is all about. Children will make memories and have fun, even if it’s simply camping out in a tent on grandma’s farm or making smores by a campfire at a little campground half an hour down the road. Adventuring on even the tightest of budgets is possible with a little planning and creativity. Happy travels!
