Inflation in the USA has put a tight squeeze on a lot of family budgets. I am going to share some things that my family does to help make travel and vacations as cost-friendly as possible for us.
Plan Ahead
We have separate trips that are being planned for early summer. I’m traveling to Yellowstone with my brother and daughter while my wife is taking a trip to the beach with three of her best friends. We have started saving a little extra each month so that we do not overspend. We have also began an early spring cleaning. Taking clothes that we have not worn for a year or more, we bag it up and take it to Plato’s Closet. The money we are paid from Plato’s Closet is then placed in our vacation fund. We have also taken up extra jobs to help fund the extra activities to pay for while on vacation.
Quick Day Trips
If you are anything like me, I like to get out and be on the move. Finding trails to hike with friends and family is very easy on the wallet. I love sports and have been a sports nut since my early childhood. There are a lot of local high school and middle school sports to attend. Watching football in the fall, basketball and wrestling in the winter and baseball in the spring are a great way to support the community and save money.
Small College Activities
Living in north Georgia and southeast Tennessee, small colleges surround us. They offer a variety of sports to watch with small fees for entry to watch or possibly even being free. My wife and I just took a quick trip to watch a college baseball between ETSU at the University of Tennessee. I paid for the tickets online which came to be $12. We stopped at Calhoun’s at Turkey Creek where we split a combination platter (another way to save money by sharing an entrée). These are just a few suggestions.
Saving Money on Gas
I have used the app called Gas Buddy on a lot of trips. This app allows me to see what the cost of gas is at gas stations close to where I am at the time. I like to find where the nearest Costco or Sam’s Club because of their low prices on gas for members. If I happen to know of a Buc-ee’s along the way, I know that their gas will be cheaper than most gas stations within fifty or sixty miles.
Saving Money on Hotels
I know that there are several apps that allow you to find hotels where you can compare them and their prices. This helps tremendously. My family has used points with Hilton Honors to help save us a ton of money over the years. We have had enough points to stay for a week. If you pay for 4 nights using all points, you get a 5th night for free. We usually try to stay at one of Hilton’s family of hotels that provides a free breakfast or dinner.
Food
We usually try to stay at one of Hilton’s family of hotels that provides a free breakfast or dinner. Sharing meals has also saved us a bundle and kept us from over-eating. We make sure that we have plenty of food and water to snack for our trips. We plan on one big meal at a restaurant each day while we are on vacation. If we are staying where we have to provide our own breakfast and lunch, we hit the grocery store to stock up for the week.
Web Search and Apps
My next article will be on things I found on the web and apps that I find to be most helpful for planning vacations. If you have a favorite, please feel free to share. I by no means know everything. I’d love to find more ways to save money and still be able to travel.
Be blessed and safe travels!!!
