How to Save Money On Your Summer Vacation

By Holly Giles | Family

How to save money on vacation

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com

How to Save Money for Summer Vacation

What should I do for summer vacation?

Summer vacation savings. Planning can save you regardless of whether you travel or have a staycation.  Summer vacations when the children are out of school can be very expensive if you don’t plan ahead and look for as many ways to save money as possible. Here are some suggestions.

Draw Up a Budget

No matter where you are during the summer vacation, try to set yourself a daily allowance and try not to go over. You might wish to get a small notebook you can carry around with you easily to keep track of what you are spending when you are out with the kids.

 

how to save money on your family vacation

Summer Camp

Summer camps such as the Y enroll early, sometimes as early as January depending on the facility. They also offer scholarships, but you need to apply in advance. The same is true for their sleepaway camps. Check to see if your child is old enough for a sleepaway. Room and board will be included, as all activities.

How much should someone save for a vacation?

Put Money in a Savings Account

Set aside some money every week for the summer vacation, starting January at the latest. You will need to make bookings and at the very least pay a deposit for camp, if not the whole amount, unless your child has managed to get a scholarship. Have your kids chip in. Having skin in the game for a destination can help curb the spending habits of your kids.

Book Travel in Advance

If you are going to visit your grandparents or head out of town on summer vacation, you can often save a great deal on airfare by booking in advance. Check for bargains online when booking travel online, you can often save a great deal of money by purchasing airfare, hotel, car rental, and even excursions through the website. Compare the price of the excursions to what the regular price would be online. You will usually find there is a substantial discount. Just print off your tickets and the vouchers and off you go.

Think about booking a whole house versus a hotel room. Platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO and others offer a wide range of accommodations for every family. Many offer discounts for longer stays. A house that fits your family’s needs can be substantially cheaper if you plan your meals and use the short-term rental as a home base for your summer vacation destinations.

how to save money on a family vacation florida places to visit

All-Inclusive Vacations

Some resorts offer all-inclusive vacations complete with meals, entertainment, and more. Check to see exactly what is offered in the package and how well it will suit your children based on their age. Disneyworld resorts are extremely popular. Cruises are also all-inclusive; some go to more exotic locations than others. Again, determine how well the ports of call and the activities on the ship will suit your children based on their age. Also look carefully at cabin options in terms of indoor versus outdoor and the number of beds, sofa beds, bunks, and so on. Check the food arrangements. Is it sit-down meals at certain times, or an around-the-clock buffet? Check the childminding amenities and babysitting. Do they have a kids’ club where the children are supervised so parents can get a break? Do they offer babysitting in the cabin so parents can spend some quality time together? How much do they charge per hour? Also, check to see if the ship offers an onboard credit.

Make the Most of a Staycation

Make a list of all the things you would like to do in your area. Get out a map and draw a 5- to 15- mile radius from your home. Going clockwise, visit each place one by one. Try museums, art galleries, and more. Find Free Days at the Museum Many museums offer free days where no one has to pay an admission fee. Look up the days and mark them on the calendar, such as the third Tuesday of every month. Consider Becoming a Museum Member If your family has a favorite museum they love to visit, consider becoming a member and get all the money-saving perks such as free or reduced admission, guest passes, a discount at the gift shop, and more. You can save a small fortune during the summer vacation with just some planning.


Follow

About the Author

Holly Giles is a wife, mother, and storyteller. As an author and Florida Master Naturalist, she writes about heritage homemaking skills, motherhood, and why Florida offers the best hidden natural gems to explore as a family.