As we roar through May, the summer months are only a few weeks away! Soon, the kids will be off for their summer vacation. Maybe you’ve already planned your vacation and have everything saved up. That’s great! There are still ways you can save some extra money, especially if you’re a procrastinator.
If you have a lot of debt or are trying to save money, enjoying a cheap summer vacation isn’t a bad idea. You don’t have to waste a lot of money on frivolous stuff. For the most part, getting away from the office and spending time with your loved ones doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s the quality time that matters, not the amount of money you spent.
At the end of the day, saving money will better protect your family. That’s why we’ve written this blog. Here are 5 ways to save money on your summer vacation:
1) Do Your Best to Plan Ahead
Airlines like to sell seats the same way stores sell merchandise. Money savers know this trick well. You don’t buy swimsuits in the spring or during the summer months. You buy them off-season when they’re the cheapest. Stores are eager to get rid of extra merchandise, especially as the new season comes in. It’s like buying your Christmas decorations on December 27th when they’re half off.
Airlines do the same. There are slow times of the year when not as many people are flying. There are peak times during the holidays and summer months. People are reserving flights, booking hotels, and renting cars if they’re not doing the drive themselves. So, the best thing to do in order to save money is plan ahead!
Right during the slow season, you can get some amazing deals. If you want until things start heating up again, you will be paying through the nose.
2) Avoid Popular Destinations
Just like airlines have off-seasons, so do popular destinations. Booking certain weeks of the year will be a difficult task if you want to save money. When everyone is trying to get down to Florida, tickets and rooms will be much more expensive than during the off-season. Same for anywhere else really.
3) Use Your Rewards
If you’re looking to save more money, don’t forget about any reward packages you might be subscribed to. Your customer loyalty points and credit card rewards might be helpful enough to bring down the cost for your summer vacation. If you don’t have a rewards credit card, then perhaps you should get one to save you money down the road.
4) Eat Basic Meals
Eating while on vacation can get expensive. Of course, you’re on vacation and don’t want to cook, either. But rather than chowing down on expensive seafood just because you’re in a tropical paradise, cooking yourself meals will save a ton of money in the long run. A lot of hotels have in-room kitchens. Many others have free breakfast.
Another trick for saving money is order your food to go! Don’t have it delivered and don’t dine-in. By going to pick up your food, you avoid tipping drivers or waitresses and that’s extra money that definitely adds up during a week-long vacation. Grab your meal and take it back to the hotel or just eat in the car!
5) Don’t Go on Summer Vacation Alone
When you were younger, you might’ve had roommates. Or, maybe you have roommates right now! Either way, you know it’s cheaper for a bunch of people to rent a place together. The same can apply to your vacation! Why not join with a relative or friends and rent a house together? By doing that you skip the overpriced and overcrowded hotels and can stay in a comfortable home with loved ones.
Your summer vacation doesn’t have to be expensive. Remember, it’s about the memories! Find cheaper places to spend quality time with loved ones. They’ll cherish the memories and forget everything else. Enjoy your summer without spending the rest of the year kicking yourself as you work to pay off the debt.
