|
When you really want to take a trip somewhere and you seriously sit down and try to find a way to put it in your budget, do you end up shaking your head and saying “maybe next year”? Well, stop putting off that trip. We all need a break every now and then. We just need to look at it from a different perspective and see if there are any things we can do to cut the cost.
If you aren’t careful, all the pit stops along the way to buy gas can quickly dwindle your vacation cash down to next to nothing. It seems like every stop that my kids would claim to be starving and need something to eat and drink. To avoid spending $10 or so on snacks at every gas stop, I pack a bag of snacks from home and pack the cooler with sodas and sandwich makings for a quick inexpensive meal on the road.
If you prefer to stay in a hotel, the cost of the room may be one of your biggest expenses. I have found that a way to reduce the cost is to not go to the tourist towns. Stay up to an hour away and drive in if you really must visit a certain place that is known for tourists and the resulting higher prices. You can get a room for a lot less cost if you are not staying in one of the major tourist areas.
Check out the room rates where you are going in advance. Then look for any specials that may be available. When you take your trip may mean the difference between a more reasonable room cost and one that just won’t fit within your budget. Some places even have higher rates on the weekends than during the week. Would it be possible to go for a few days during the week, instead of the weekend? The amount you save can be quite considerable.
The room you stay can be a cost cutter in other ways, if you find one with some activities for the children. A pool is nice and can help keep the children occupied for a day or a few afternoons. Think of all the money you will save by relaxing by the pool instead of visiting another amusement park. After all, vacations are for relaxing right?
My idea of relaxing doesn’t usually include cooking, but if money is a big problem, try looking for a room with a kitchenette or at least a microwave and a refrigerator. Fixing something quick in your room for one or two meals a day will help keep the cost of eating out down to a reasonable amount.
If you are the adventurous sort, try camping. Of course if you go all out and buy a camper and pull it and stay at a campground, then you probably won’t save as much money but you have the option of going more often also. But if you are up for it, try a tent. Tents are not really hard to put up and they require only minimum storage space when not in use.
Camping can be a fun and enjoyable way to spend time with family and friends without spending a lot of money. Check out your local area for campgrounds or state parks that would provide you with a place for a weekend getaway. Many have opportunities for activities that you can take part in like hiking, swimming, and cycling.
The locals that live in the tourist towns are a good resource for finding fun things to do that are not as expensive. It will require that you take the plunge and actually talk to some of the people that live in the area, but if you are nice and sincere, you can usually find someone that is more than willing to help you find some less expensive things to do.
The Internet is another resource that can be used to help you cut costs. You can research the area including surrounding towns that you would like to visit. You can have a game plan all ready worked out so that you will know more of what to expect cost wise. You may even find some special deals online that will help you cut the cost even more.
One way to find out more about an area, is to do a search for chat rooms on an area that you will be visiting. Go in the chat room, and ask what there is to do in the area. You may luck up and find out some really fun places to go or things to do that the locals know about but aren’t well publicized. These type of activities are usually less expensive than the more well known and publicized ones.
The main thing is to try to plan ahead whenever possible. Think about the expenses you may incur and consider what options you have of reducing that cost. Even if you have to shorten the length of time you would prefer to stay, a trip may not be out of the question even for a tight budget. Fun doesn’t have to be expensive.
| 
