Money Management Newsletter

Vacations: Planning Stretches Vacation Dollars

Dr. Jo Turner

Professor, Family and Consumer Economics

Spending for fun doesn't have to leave your broke. You and your family can have fun and do more for a reasonable amount of money when you plan.

Recreation expenses, including travel, equipment, tickets, gifts and entertainment, should be a part of every family's budget. Families that enjoy having fun together get more out of life. There are many things to do and see that can bring your family together.

There are ways to save money on vacations. Each family has its own special recreational needs, which depend on the ages of your family members, the interest, the hobbies, and the number in your family and where you live.

The first step for saving money on recreation is to plan for the money that you will spend for gifts and entertainment and make this an integral part of your monthly budget. You should know where your recreation dollars are going just as you should know where your food, clothing and other expenses are going. This makes you a sound money manager.

Plan your vacation travel and get information from the local Chamber of Commerce or tourist bureaus before you go. This way you can plan and possibly see more for less money.

If you are traveling by air, begin planning as early as possible, check airlines offered on round-trip fares, stopover fares, mid-week fares and other special money-saving deals. Compare routes and rates of various airlines on different days. If you have Internet access, check web sites for best buys. If traveling with children, look for those hotels and motels that do not charge for children sharing their parent's rooms. This can be a big money saver.

In order to save money, travel coach or tourist class. Using a travel agent may also save you money.

If traveling by car, plan to carry food for roadside picnics. When planning restaurant meals, eat out at lunch instead of dinner since the noon menu is usually the same and available at a reduced price. This is especially helpful when traveling and exploring new areas of the country. Arrive for the noon meal; plan sightseeing in the early evening and save money.
When traveling, discover trade shows, fairs and exhibits since they can be both educational and entertaining for the whole family at very little cost.

If your schedule permits, you might plan an off-season vacation and visit places that have special off-season rates.

Camping vacations can be fun and economical, especially if you already have the needed equipment. If you don't have camping equipment, you might try renting rather then buying. A quick way to enjoy a camping vacation is to fly to your destination, rent a trailer at the distant spot for the remainder of your stay.
If you are considering buying a vacation hide-a-way, rent it first to be sure you like the location and the neighborhood. Check into group travel rates, since this can be an economical way to arrange your vacation.

Buses or trains may also offer an excellent low-cost way to see the sights with no driving involved.

Before going on your vacation, be sure you have everything you need. On the spot purchases can ruin your budget if you buy them at higher cost than you would have paid if you had planned.

Little economies and planning can add up to big savings in your recreation dollars. Save in advance and keep your vacations within the family budget.