Coupons, promotions, affiliations: Still want that blowout vacation at your favorite attraction? Many amusement companies and resorts are doing whatever they can to attract families to their friendly confines. Disney World, for example, is offering free admission to guests on their birthday. Other attractions offer discounts to AAA members and affiliated guests. Check with any credit card companies or professional organizations you might be affiliated with for other possible deals.
Think outside the hotel room: Rent a condo or house instead of a hotel room. With vacation rentals, you get more space and amenities, often for the same price or less than a hotel room. Laundry is usually included, which is essential when you have kids. If you can run a few loads of laundry while you sleep, then you can pack lighter and spend your energy on quality time with your kids, not packing them up and moving their stuff. (Remember, on vacation you don't have to fold the clothes or put them away--they just need to be clean.)
A kitchen means that you can save money on dining out and not worry about where to store baby food and extra bottles. In addition, having doors that close mean that the whole family doesn't have to tiptoe around while a little one is napping.
Take a family vacation. Visit loved ones who live in other cities or states. Review your address book and find relatives and friends that live in fun locations. Not only will you save on accommodations, you'll spend quality time with family members you probably don't see very often.
Go with friends. If you play together at home, why not play together on vacation, too? Plan to vacation with another family to share the cost of accommodations and ease the workload of traveling with kids. Offer to care for all the kids one night and give another couple a date night, then take your turn when they offer to do the same.
Stay home. If you are operating on a very limited budget take a "Staycation." Relax in the comforts of your own home while enjoying outings in your own backyard. Many of us live in amazing places that we take for granted. Just think of the places you take your friends and family when they come to visit; chances are, you haven't been there in a while yourself. Take the opportunity for an electronics sabbatical: turn off televisions, computers, cell phones and the Internet. Enjoy the time together as a family and maybe even choose a craft or other project for everyone to do together.
Vacations should be about relaxing, trying something new and getting away from it all. With these tips in hand, you can accomplish all those things and more--without taking on a second mortgage or going into debt.
|
Member Comments