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How to Save Money on your Summer Vacation

Enjoying Summer Vacation Without Going into Debt

Summer is here and, for many people, that means time off. This is a great time to spend with friends and family, enjoying yourself, relaxing, and having adventures. However, if you’re not careful, your summer vacation could end up being pretty costly. Unfortunately, a lot of people end up getting into financial trouble by spending money on a summer vacation that they can’t really afford.

The good news is that this isn’t necessary. It’s entirely possible to have a great, memorable summer vacation without breaking the bank.

Do Research and Plan

If you’re planning on going away for your summer vacation, it pays to do your research. Look online for deals, such as hotel discounts or special offers. These can save you a lot of money, but you’ll likely need to book in advance and not be too picky about the location.

It’s also a good idea to search for when hotels and flights are cheaper. Prices for flights and hotels vary depending on when you book. Do some research online to find the best possible time to buy. A lot of people find good deals by booking between six and eight weeks before they travel, but this depends on several factors.

You’ll also want to comparison shop. There are many different websites out there that do this for you, but doing a bit of your own comparing can also be beneficial.

Take a Road Trip

Plane tickets and even train tickets can be quite expensive. Instead of flying, consider traveling somewhere that you can drive to. You’ll still need to pay for gas, but depending on where you drive (and the type of vehicle you have) you can still save quite a lot of money.

Plan Travel as a Group

You might be able to save some money if you can get a group deal. If you travel with a group of friends or relatives, you can save by booking a block of hotel rooms, for example. Some airlines might even give you a deal on plane tickets if you buy several all at once. Ask around and see if you can get a group deal on your vacation.

Take a “Staycation”

You don’t need to travel to a far away destination to have a great time. Chances are that there are a lot of great things to do in and around your current city or town.

A good way to really enjoy a staycation is to plan it as if it were a trip to a new city. Even if you’re staying at home, it doesn’t mean that you have to stay around the house and live your “regular” life. Go to local tourism websites, and come up with a list of places you’d like to see and things you’d like to do. Act like you’re going on a trip and you only have a short time to really capture of the feeling of your town. You’ll likely find all kinds of great activities and sights nearby that you never even considered before.

Spend Time Outside

You don’t need to see the sights and pack your day with visits to tourist locations to enjoy yourself. Whether you’re staying at home for your vacation or heading away, you can save a lot of money (and have a great time) by spending some time outside on your vacation. Visit the beach, a park, or any other outdoor location and spend some time relaxing with a book or some music. Not only does this save money, but it’s also very relaxing.

Pack your Meals

One of the most expensive aspects of traveling is eating at restaurants. To solve this problem, find a grocery store nearby wherever you’re staying, and go shopping. Even if you don’t have access to a kitchen, you can still make sandwiches, and take snacks and drinks with you when you’re out exploring. This can save you some money as you won’t need to pay the high prices that are often found at tourist destinations.

Remember, the idea that vacations have to be expensive isn’t true. If you can get over the mental roadblock that a vacation needs to be a costly affair, you can find a lot of great ways to enjoy yourself without winding up in financial trouble.