Planning a family vacation is tricky business. Many approach this task with a misconception that taking a big trip requires a huge pile of money. In reality, all you need is a little savviness and discipline to have an awesome experience that doesn’t leave you broke.
Fortunately, we live in a time when planning out a budget-friendly vacation is easier than ever. There are lots of programs and resources available that you can use to your advantage to check items off your traveling bucket list.
If you and your family are in need of a vacation, but you need to conserve your hard earned money, here are some easy strategies to help.
- Start by Defining Your Budget
Determining a budget should be step one of any getaway. Some experts claim that an average family vacation typically costs between 5-10% of your annual salary. However, if you play your cards right, you can make it happen for cheaper.
The budget you set out determines where you will go, the activities you and the family will do, and how the trip will play out overall. Now, it’s very, very hard to stay within a budget, especially on vacation. The key is to set up ballparks for each variable.
Start with the essentials. Set aside X amount for sleeping arrangements, food, and travel expenses. Once you have nailed those down, the rest of your budget can be used for the leisure aspect. Lastly, be sure to set aside some money for unexpected costs. There are all kinds of apps out there to help you with this process.
Having a clear number defined for each part of the trip will make it much easier to plan everything out and avoid going too far over budget.
- Shop Around for Accommodations Beforehand
Depending on how you choose to book your vacation, accommodations can easily be the most expensive part of the trip. Being as how you will likely only be there to sleep, you shouldn’t spend too much in this area. However, you never want to cheap out too much on accommodations. If you are looking into hotels, the earlier you book a room, the cheaper it will be.
Thankfully, the internet has opened the door for plenty of alternatives to booking expensive hotels. For starters, you can look into sharing economy programs like Airbnb. Regardless of where you decide to vacation, you can save a lot of money going this route.
If you want to save even more, check out house sitting sites like HouseCarers or Nomador. These sites have networks that span across the globe. The concept is that people use these networks to find trustworthy people to watch their home, water their plants, take care of their pets, etc. while they are out of town. As a house sitter, you could potentially have a free place to stay on your trip. However, it’s important to note that most people don’t let just anyone stay in their home. You need to spend time on these sites and develop a rapport with people. As most of the decisions are based on reviews, you and your family MUST be on your absolute best behavior while house sitting. If you have young and destructive children, this may not be the smartest option.
Finding cheaper – or possibly free – accommodations for a vacation requires a great deal of prior planning. If you want to save some serious cash, give yourself a few months to mastermind this part of the trip.
- Decide the Most Feasible Mode of Transportation
Transportation is the backbone of any vacation. Depending on where you go, this can quickly take a huge chunk out of your budget. Unless you’re traveling overseas, it will almost always be more feasible to pile in the car and drive. However, you will need to factor in the distance and the duration of the trip; no one wants to spend the majority of their vacation in a cramped car. If you’ve got a long drive, plan out some fun stops and activities along the way.
Trains are another cheap option. The downside is it’s about the same speed as a car, and you won’t be traveling on your terms - in regards to stops along the way.
If you’re traveling long distances, or want to have as much time at the destination as possible, booking plane tickets is likely your best bet. While there are plenty of online tools to alert you when prices are cheapest, there is no hiding from the fact that tickets for the whole family are going to set you back. Furthermore, you are going to need to be mindful about airport parking, as well as finding ground transport once you arrive.
In most cases, transportation is one of the most expensive (and boring) parts of a vacation. You don’t want to spend any more time or money in this area than you absolutely have to. Always plan ahead and carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option.
- Have Your Credit Cards Work for You
Travel rewards are perhaps the most famous perk associated with credit cards. Many programs will give you points for every dollar you spend, of which can be redeemed for travel-related purchases. There is no reason why you shouldn’t use this benefit to the fullest extent.
In the name of saving money for family vacations, you can set up virtually all of your day-to-day expenses to go through your travel rewards card. When it comes time to book flights, accommodations, ground transportation, or any other relevant expense, the points you accrue can potentially save you hundreds – if not thousands. However, it’s VERY important to keep in mind that credit cards are an extremely slippery slope. As a general life pointer, you always need to be cautious to not live beyond your means and pay your bills on time. If you get too carried away with your credit card, taking a vacation may not even be an option.
There is a wide variety of credit cards out there that offer different types of travel rewards. Do your research and find one that fits your specific needs and lifestyle.
Over to You
2018 is shaping up to be a great year for travel. While budget-friendly family vacations are certainly a challenge, it shouldn’t deter you from seeing the world and taking a much needed sabbatical. The most important bit of advice for saving money is to start planning early. This allows you to shop around for the best rates, research the destination, as well as find workarounds and alternatives to cut expenses here and there.
Happy Travels!
(Image source: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)
Author Bio:
Mattie Elsner is a passionate globetrotter and travel writer by profession. When she isn’t on site at exotic locations you can find her blogging for sites like AboutAirportParking.com - a leading reservation network and directory for travelers. Learn more about travel and join the fun. Follow her on Twitter - @MattieElsner.
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