Can You Stay on Budget AND Have Fun This Summer?

We look forward to summer all year: vacations, road trips, concerts, backyard parties and more! Without a plan, all that fun can add up to big dollars which is the last thing you need when you’re working hard to get out of debt. However; if you plan ahead; take a realistic approach - and a few simple precautions - you can still have fun all season long without running the risk of busting your budget. 

Set rules about spending.

It's easy to blow your cash on overpriced souvenirs and trinkets while you're on your holiday. Decide before you go how much you can spend on gifts and other items, and then make sure you stick to that number while you're away.

Do your research.

Check out convention and visitors' bureaus, which allow you to buy packages that include discounted admissions to popular attractions. Check out online forums devoted to fun family vacations, or ask your friends and co-workers for tips about where to visit.

Be flexible.

If possible, avoid traveling during peak days and times (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). You can save plenty of money by traveling mid-week or at night, for instance, when ticket prices are cheaper.

Don't be afraid to ask about discounts.

At the very least, you might be able to negotiate an upgrade to your ticket, car rental or hotel room. And you may discover that your AAA card or other memberships—including Member Benefit Services—offer discounts and deals.

Try a “staycation”

Explore your town, a nearby city or even the wilds of your own backyard! Take advantage of inexpensive – and oftentimes free - options like museums, farmers markets, outdoor concerts, film festivals, or neighborhood pools.

Consider alternative kinds of accommodation.

If you can't afford the expense of staying in a hotel, and camping isn't your thing, try something new. Vacation rentals are often a cost-effective way for your whole family to get away, and you can sometimes rent an entire house for the cost of a hotel for you and the kids.

Share your accommodation, or stay with relatives.

Vacationing with friends or family can make the whole experience more fun, and could save you money on the cost of your trip.

Stay off the beaten path.

Avoid tourist destinations. Hotels in the middle of everything are usually more expensive, so look for places a little further out.

Pack your lunches.

Buy your food at supermarkets and dine picnic-style. Staying somewhere with cooking facilities can also help you cut the cost of dining out.

Eat where the locals eat.

They usually know about out-of-the-way places, where the food and the deals are great. Places that cater to tourists are usually more expensive.

Stock up before you leave home.

Buy your film, batteries and sunscreen before you leave, since vacation staples like these could be more expensive at your destination.

Check out local listings.

Look at the weekend editions of newspapers online to find upcoming events at your destination. You may be able to save money by purchasing tickets in advance, or even find free events you'd like to take in.

These are just a few of the ways you can get away for a week or a weekend and still stick to your vacation budget. If you do all the research well in advance, you'll discover there are all kinds of things you can do to make even the shortest vacation truly memorable. And even if you examine your budget and discover you can't afford to get away this year, there's always the least expensive option of all—planning a vacation that takes you no further than your backyard. 

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