Your children’s spring break is just around the corner! And if your family is traveling, you have probably planned the major details such as destination, lodging and travel. But as we all know, those aren’t the only expenses when traveling with the family. We love to help you save so below are a few quick tips on how to cut back on expenses when you’re on the road.
- Stock up on snacks before the drive: Even though you’re going out of town, make sure you make a trip to the grocery store first. If your family is driving to your destination, buying snacks in advance will save a few dollars and save time by eliminating some stopping.
- Travel light: If you’re flying with your family, make everyone stick to the rule of one checked bag per person, since many airlines charge for checked bags. One $25 fee might not seem like a lot, but for a family of four that’s an additional $100, each way, that you may not have budgeted for.
- Plan your meals: Planning your meals in advance is the easiest way to avoid overspending on food. Without doing this, you can easily get caught with hungry, whining children and overspending because you don’t have reasonable options. Plan out breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to your daily activities. If you’re staying in a condo or house, cook dinner a few nights out of the week and stash sandwich supplies and cereal in the house.
- Try the local version: In many beach towns or other touristy-locations, those “famous” chains or activities are often overpriced. Do some research to find the local version that might be more reasonably priced. Look at Trip Advisor for reviews or ask the locals when you’re walking around.
- Look at last minute deals online: Even though you already booked your hotel, check online a day or two before you leave to see if there are any last minute deals. Hotels often lower prices at the last minute to rent all their rooms. Be sure to review the cancellation policy for the hotel you booked, but you can sometimes get a full refund on your first hotel if you cancel within certain timeframes as stated in their cancellation policy. You might save a few hundred dollars at the last minute!
Planning and budgeting for a family trip can be stressful and expensive but, in the end it’s worth it. Just stick to a few of these tips and you might be surprised by how much you can save!
Article submitted by Jeff
