Your vacation is just around the corner and it’s time to start planning. However, the rising cost of gas, airfare and hotel prices have made vacations more financially stressful than fun.
However, vacations don’t have to break the bank. Here are eight suggestions for planning a cheap family vacation from Vactionspot.com:
1.) Look for vacation rentals. Vacation rentals offer an excellent value per person when it comes to family travel. The cost of booking an additional hotel room for a family member can double the cost. If you use a rental instead you might pay a small percentage more, but it’s far more economical.
2.) Eat in. Travel industry research shows that vacationers spend more on food and beverages per day than on lodging. But if you choose to stay in a vacation rental you can save a lot of money on dining. Vacation rental kitchens offer a convenient option for breakfasts on the go, snacks and even the occasional casual family dinner.
3.) Bring your own entertainment. Vacation rentals have plenty of room for toys, games and other fun forms of entertainment. There’s plenty room to spread out in the living room and store your rollerblades, fishing gear, golf clubs, board games, etc.
4.) Stay, don’t stray. Explore interesting destinations in your own backyard. And, with the price of gas generally being higher, it might be wise to look for destinations within 300 miles of your home.
5.) Look for free fun. Choose a destination with a built-in (and in most cases) free activity, such as the beach or the mountains. These are great locations for hiking or for just enjoying the view.
6.) Peek into non-peak time. It’s easier to find inexpensive travel during this time. One of the best times to book travel is the May before Memorial Day or when school is about to start.
7.) Go with friends (and take turns babysitting). When your friends tagalong, even doing nothing can seem like fun. And by sharing babysitting duties, couples can find cherished time for a night on the town … knowing the kids are in good hands.
8.) Return to “simpler times.” Remember the days before iPods, DVD Players and video games? Dig out the jacks, Yahtzee, and other board games. Or, teach kids how to cook or scrapbook.
Do you have an inexpensive vacation plan that you’d like to share with Military.com? We’d love to hear it on our discussion board.
