Family vacations will provide you and your children with some of the fondest of memories that will be treasured forever. Taking the time away from your busy working life to help your children see more of the world and spend quality time together is something thatwill add value to your life and is worth making an effort for.
However, this can be easier said than done. The simple fact is that vacations cost money and, unless you’re really good at managing money with a monthly budget template, you are not going to have the funds to go away on a big, all expenses covered trip every year.
This doesn’t mean you have to stay at home, though; it just means you have to get a little bit more creative. If you’re looking to spend a relaxed and fun-filled vacation with your loved ones this summer, consider planning a trip. Start by looking for cheap flights to make the most of your trip. This will help you save money on airfare while still getting to enjoy all the wonders this incredible destination has to offer. You can also look for affordable package travel deals, such as those available from Cheap Deals Away UK, which will save you lots of both time and money.
To get the ball rolling, this handy guide is going to let you know how to plan a fantastic family vacation on a budget so that you can all start making memories without having to break the bank.
Try a new destination
To have a great vacation, the destination is actually quite low down on the list. Of course, it can be amazing to go overseas and visit cities around the world, but what makes a getaway really special is having quality time with the people you love.
So, the first thing you can do to keep to your budget is to research cheap but thrilling vacation destinations that you can all enjoy together.You might be surprised at just how many places there are to visit in the United States that are brilliant for families and won’t mean you have to spend too much.
A good place to start is by researching places near to where you live that aren’t toofar away from you and finding out what hidden gems there are to be discovered right on your doorstep.
Be creative with your travel
Going on vacation shouldn’t mean that you have to spend thousands of dollars on traveling by airplane. A great way to travel around the United States is by taking a car on a road trip, and you can do this by renting from a discount USA car rental service.
Not only will this be cheaper than flying, but it will also give you and your family more quality time to bond together and give you the freedom to stop along the way to check out new, unexpected sights.
Cutting corners doesn’t mean less fun
Having a blast on your vacation as a family shouldn’t have to mean that you have to splurge all your cash in one go as there are plenty of ways to save money when you’re on vacation.
One great idea is to book accommodation that has a fitted kitchen in it so that, at the beginning of your time away, you can stock up with food from a local store and cook for yourselves instead of eating out for every meal.
Another idea is to use online discount codes and offers when booking experiences and day trips to try and keep the cost down again. Also, if your timing is flexible you can usually save a lot of money with last minute trip deals.
For traveling with little kids, I highly recommend just doing local stuff. It’s not how much you spend, it’s how you plan the fun. They can have just as much fun or even more fun on a local hike than they would at an expensive amusement park. We splurge for those things too, of course. But I’ve learned not to overlook the local freebie outings.
I totally agree! Road trips are the best, even with a toddler!
Those are all great tips. My main goal this year is to save and to remain on a budget. I love the tips.
Good tips! And check out the local libraries and community centers for free events going on while you’re there!
Finding new and different locations that are close are fun.
Yes! Driving vacations are underrated. Everyone is driving distance from amazing things, and it can save tons of money.
We always get a place that has a kitchenette and make our own meals. At least on or two meals a day. Not only does it save money but it also helps us stay healthy and not eat junk while on vacation!
With 4 kids, most of our holidays are on a tight budget but I find we have more fun because we have to get creative a lot of the time 😉
Thanks for the advice! We’re planning our first longer trip right now, and we’ll definitely use some of your advice! I’m also looking for tips on how to keep kids occupied during long car rides, so if you have anything, please send it, ha ha 🙂
These are some great tips. Thanks for sharing. I haven’t been on a vacation in forever.