How to Travel on a Budget This Summer

The kids are out of school, the days are getting longer, and millions of people are planning their summer vacations. Whether you’re a beach-dweller who plans on getting to the big city or a city-liver who wants to see the mountains, the chance to go to a new location is an exciting part of summertime. However, summer travel doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s a look at some steps you can take to enjoy the wonders of travel without busting your budget.

Summer vacations are one of the most exciting times of the year for millions of people. If you have children, they’re out of school, you’ve notified your boss about the days off that you’re going to take during the summer months, and plans are in motion. People who live near the beach are visiting some of the world’s biggest cities, people who live in the mountains are heading to the beach, and those who call the city home are planning their mountain getaways. Maybe you’re one of the individuals who wants a little bit of everything, so you’re planning on loading up the car and taking the family on a road trip.

Unfortunately, summer vacations are often seen as terribly expensive, and many people struggle to strike a balance between sticking to their budgets and making memories with their loved ones. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are some steps you can take to enjoy your summer vacation without breaking the bank.

Planning is Power

You wouldn’t go on summer vacation without knowing where you want to visit. Whether you’re planning on flying to the other side of the globe, or you just want to drive a few hours to a nearby resort, you go into the process with a plan about where you’re going to visit, what activities you’re going to enjoy, and even what types of food you want to eat. If you’re willing to spend so much time and energy planning those things, isn’t it worth planning how you’re going to pay for it?

According to many financial experts, summer vacations often turn into budget busters because people don’t go into them with a financial plan. Instead of deciding how much they can spend on travel, lodging, food, and entertainment, many travelers show up at their destination and start swiping credit cards, assuming that they can worry about the cost after the trip is over. This failure to plan is almost guaranteed to lead to financial stress during and after the trip.

Before you start planning the details of your vacation, spend some time determining how much you’re going to spend. Having a budget doesn’t have to negate the fun that you can have on vacation, but it can go a long way in cutting down on the financial stress that you experience during and after your trip.

Use Those Points

While there’s certainly no such thing as “free money,” you can save some considerable money on your vacation by cashing in loyalty points, frequent flyer miles, and other types of rewards. Frequent flyer miles are probably the most popular option, and while they’re the result of money that you’ve spent by traveling in the past, you’re looking for ways to save money on your vacation this year. If you’re taking the family somewhere that requires a flight, contact your airline of choice and cash in those miles.

You also may have a credit card that’s linked to a particular hotel chain. These credit cards offer you points that you can redeem based on the dollar amount that you’ve spent on the card. Again, while this technically doesn’t mean that you’re getting the points for free, and it certainly doesn’t mean that you should run up a lot of credit card debt just to get hotel points, you can save a considerable amount of money on your stay by using them. When you get to the hotel, be courteous to the front desk agent and ask about getting a free upgrade. If you have loyalty points with the chain, you can often turn your hotel room into a suite if the hotel has available space.

Look for Budget Friendly Activities

You’ve probably complained about how expensive it is to do anything while you’re on vacation. This feels even more inevitable if you have multiple children and you’re trying to find something that everyone will enjoy. While there are certainly plenty of places where you can spend a small fortune for a couple of hours of fun, everything you do with your family doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s important to remember that vacations are about relaxing and making memories with the people you love the most. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with spending money to go to an amusement park, you don’t have to spend a fortune every day that you’re gone.

If you’re taking your family to the beach, don’t be afraid to wake up, set up your chairs and umbrellas near the water, take some frisbees and other toys, and spend the day soaking in the sun. If you’re visiting the mountains, look for hiking trails and other activities that get you in touch with nature. Activities like these allow you to enjoy the beauty of the location you’re visiting at no extra expense.

Overcoming the Souvenir Temptation

This tip comes with a bit of a caveat since so many people like to collect mementos. There’s nothing wrong with grabbing a t-shirt, a shot glass, or a coffee mug to remember your trip by. However, most destination cities have loads of souvenir shops, most of which offer overpriced items that are just like the items found at all the other shops. Resist the urge to load up on souvenirs. Instead, focus on collecting memories of your trip. Virtually everyone carries a phone with camera capabilities, so you can capture moments from your trip regardless of where you are. If you’re like most people, the tourist t-shirts that you pick up on vacation end up in the back of the closet, never to be seen again. Don’t feel like you have to load up on souvenirs, and you’ll save a fortune.

Pack a Lunch

One of the most exciting parts of vacation is taking advantage of the local cuisines that you’ll run across. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to go out to eat for every meal the entire time that you’re gone. Assume that you’re taking a seven-day vacation. If you go to a restaurant for every meal, you’re going to purchase 21 meals. According to studies, the average person spends $23 at a restaurant. If you’re a family of four, that comes to around $92 per day! Over the course of your vacation, you could spend upwards of $1,900 on food. This doesn’t account for special treats like ice cream that you grab along the way.

With this in mind, consider packing some food for the trip, and don’t be afraid to have breakfast or lunch in your hotel, condo, or cabin. This doesn’t mean that you don’t go to a local breakfast place during your trip, but you don’t have to eat every meal in a restaurant.

Your summer vacation is a wonderful chance to make memories with your friends and family. However, it shouldn’t be a source of financial stress. By applying these tips, you can make the most of your trip without spending the most.