How to Save Money on Vacations

You finally get in the car after tireless accounts of getting your kids ready to go. There is so much to remember when you are going somewhere, and even more so with kids! I know I can’t be the only one who has left the house and forgot one or two things. I always hate forgetting to pack items. I’m a prepare for any occasion girl. Here I will share with you my top 3 favorite ways to save money when we travel or go on vacation.

Gas

There are two main ways to travel and that is usually either by car or plane. Traveling by car is our main go to way to travel. Now a days there are many programs that will help you save some money on your gas purchase. Check your local grocery stores. Chances are they may offer gas points just for purchasing groceries at their store. Also check out credit cards you may have. Some may have special point offers where you can cash in for gift cards. I do believe some gas stations even offer discounts to those who sign up for their credit cards. That may be something to look into as well. 

Food

Eating out can get pricey – can we agree? Specially if you are stopping at gas stations along the way in your travels. Try taking advantage of shopping sales and using coupons to get your groceries at a lower cost. When you leave for a long drive or go on vacation, I would suggest bringing those foods with you. That alone will cut back on a lot of money. Such things as snacks, drinks, and other items will do great traveling. I often bring a small cooler with us or a larger one for longer travels. Why buy food there when I have a cupboard and fridge full at home? That’s something my mother always did when we went on trips long or short.

Hotels/Vacation Rentals

I tell ya this can be tricky! Hotels can be so pricey but at the same time you don’t want to choose one that has horrible reviews. One time we had to go out and buy a small space heater at the local Walmart because our hotel had no heat and they refused to do anything about it. So be careful! There are a few sites out there like travelocity that compare hotel prices for you. Those are nice. If you are going anywhere for a long period of time I would suggest looking into rentals. You can find wonderful rentals and many at affordable prices online at vrbo. We stay in the same 3 bedroom house every time we go to Florida (um we drive from NY, yes, yes, we are crazy) and it comes fully furnished with even a washer and dryer! I don’t have to worry abut pots or pans or towels even. It’s really wonderful, and we get a discount as returning customers.