The mercury is deep in the freezing zone and the snow is still flying, but does that mean it’s too soon to think about summer? Not at all. In fact, this is exactly the right time to start thinking about your summer vacation — especially if you happen to have a family and live on a budget.
Doing these six things will make it more likely you will get to have a family vacation this summer — without breaking the bank or adding too much financial stress to your life.
Start a summer savings account
Head to the bank and open a savings account dedicated to your summer vacation. If you happen to have the option of doing a direct deposit from your paycheck into a bank account, this is even easier — the money will go into your savings before you ever see it. If you don’t have that option, it just means you have to be more disciplined. Take a certain percentage of your check and deposit it into the summer savings account every time you get paid. Thinking about the warm sand and sunshine can make it less painful.
Try off the beaten path trips
Disney World and the Caribbean are “trips of a lifetime,” with bigger price tags attached. Save money by heading to less exotic destinations, which can provide a fun vacation for a fraction of the price.
Take advantage of Maine camping
Camping is a great way to cut costs on a family vacation. Reservations at a state park are far cheaper than staying at a hotel. If you are thinking about camping, now is the time to start gathering up supplies (check Craigslist, Freecycle and garage sales for gently used camping equipment), shopping for deals and making reservations.
Save your pennies
All that loose change you find in the dryer, down the sides of the sofa and underneath the car seat can add up. Start collecting it. At the end of every day, put any coins you collected that day into the jar. It may not buy a plane ticket, but after a few months, it might pay for a couple of nights in a hotel.
Pay down debt
If you are planning on using your credit cards for vacation, start paying them off. All that interest you would have sent to VISA or MasterCard can go straight into your vacation savings account.
Start shopping
If your vacation requires an equally fabulous — or functional — wardrobe, start shopping. You will have time to look for the best sales and to comb through local consignment shops, garage sales and thrift stores. You will be amazed on how stylish you can look for a low price.
Vacation is meant to stress free. Budgets, debts and money problems are all stressors in everyone’s life. Avoid those stressors by being prepared, organized and saving money.
For more great tips on family travel, visit TravelingMom.com, an online family travel magazine filled with tips and advice from moms who travel with their children. Or visit TravelingDad.com to read an often humorous dads’ perspective on traveling with children.