As you are well aware, taking a vacation with your family can be an expensive endeavor. Your trip will probably cost much more than you expect it to, so planning ahead for this expense is definitely smart. Before you book your plane tickets or reserve that cabin in the woods, here are some tips to help you budget for your family vacation.
Always keep one credit card strictly for emergencies. This way, if something goes wrong with your vacation plans or you accidentally overspend, you’ll still be able to book a room at the last minute without having to worry about overdraft fees.
Don’t forget travel insurance! As much fun as it is to spend time with your loved ones, traveling is still a dangerous activity. Even if you take numerous precautions, there may be an unexpected risk that isn’t covered by your regular health insurance plan(s). Investing in travel insurance can literally save your vacation.
Start saving early! The more time you have to save up for your trip, the easier it will be to afford. If you’re planning a summer vacation, start looking for deals now. The earlier you book your flight and hotel, the more money you’ll be able to save.
Consider going on a shorter trip instead of a longer one. For example, if you were thinking about celebrating your family reunion in New York City, consider doing something smaller like renting a cabin in the Catskills. Besides being more affordable, this type of trip will be less strenuous for older family members.
Consider taking multiple trips throughout the year rather than just one long vacation per year. This way, you’ll have many memories instead of just one big memory to cherish. Whether it’s something as simple as camping in the woods or as extravagant as an African safari, keeping busy is sure to keep your wallet happy.
[azonpress template=”widget” asin=”B07CL612FD”]Explore alternative options for traveling. Instead of flying or taking a traditional road trip, try using public transportation instead! You may be surprised at how many options there are, especially if you live in a major metropolitan area.
Explore multiple destinations. In order to get the most out of your vacation, you shouldn’t just stick with one location. Make a list of all the places you want to visit and rank them from highest priority to lowest priority. Once a location gets checked off your list, move on to the next one!
Don’t underestimate how much food costs! You might not think that restaurants are a big deal, but they really add up over time. If possible, bring your own food on your trip. Not only will you be able to save money, but you’ll be able to spend it on souvenirs!
Make sure there isn’t something fun going on back home while you’re traveling. If you’re gone for a week, don’t plan on spending your weekends in the same city. Instead, host small get-togethers and meet up with friends and family back home to keep things exciting.
Swap babysitting duties with other families. With so many people willing to help out, there’s no reason why you should have to pay a babysitter for every night of your trip.
Wait to buy souvenirs until the end of your vacation. By doing this, you’ll simplify things and eliminate some stress. Not to mention, waiting will give you more money to spend on souvenirs!
Consider giving everyone their own spending money so that they can decide how to spend it. This way, you won’t have to worry about fights breaking out over whether or not someone should pay for dinner.
Consider taking a class while you’re on vacation. Whether it’s learning how to scuba dive, salsa dance, or fly a kite, learning a new skill is the perfect way to pass the time.
[azonpress template=”widget” asin=”B07L9KPMGD”]Use a daily budget. By doing so, you’ll be able to keep better track of your money and prevent any unexpected surprises!
Try buying souvenirs in bulk. One family I know bought their son a year’s worth of mittens for his birthday while they were on vacation up north. While he didn’t need that many mittens, it made for a great surprise and didn’t cost too much money.
Make sure everyone in the family has a list of what they want before you go. This is especially important if your family likes to shop during vacations!
Consider taking “staycations” instead of going on trips for spring break or summer vacation. This way, you’ll save money and still be able to explore your local area.
If you’re traveling outside of the country, make sure everyone has health insurance. Even if they don’t take a walkabout, accidents can happen. By having coverage, you’ll know that everybody is protected.
Make budgeting fun by creating a family game night where you all compete to see who can save the most money. This way, everybody will know what to do in order to have fun.
Consider doing a yard sale weeks before your vacation starts so that you’ll have more money to spend when it actually begins.
Don’t underestimate transportation costs! Whether it’s gas for your car or tokens for the subway, transportation can get expensive fast.
Keep track of your budget on a piece of paper. It’s normal to see some overspending here and there. By keeping records, though, you’ll be able to catch any problems before they escalate!
Make “travel” part of your daily routine. Whether you take your morning jog around the block or walk to the corner store for some bread, making healthy choices is an easy way to save money.
Pack everyone’s clothes in separate sacks so that people won’t forget what they brought. This will help prevent spending too much on new outfits!
Budgeting can be difficult, especially if you have kids. If possible, consider buying them handheld games for the car or train so that they can play during long rides.
When traveling by air, make sure everyone showers before their trip starts. This way, you won’t have to spend money on shampoo and soap!