This post brought to you by Gulf County, Florida. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Beauty Through Imperfection.
We all know that vacations have the potiential to break the bank. It seems like every time you turn around on a trip there’s another expense that needs to be covered.
Here are a few idea to help you save money on your next vacation or out of town trip!
1. Budget – Budgeting isn’t always the first thing you think of when you think “vacation”, but it should be! Set clear (and realistic) parramaters about how much you are able to spend on your trip, so that you can plan accordingly. You’ll know exactly how much you can spend on each meal and every pit-stop. This can take a lot of the stress out of your trip as well.
2. Plan for the worst – Add some extra cushion into your budget for things like flat tires (if you are road-tripping) or cancelled/delayed flights (if you are flying). Knowing that you have some breathing room for the unexpected can also alleviate stresses when things do come up. If you make it through the whole trip without a hitch, you can splurge for a fancy meal on your last night or put the extra money back into savings!
3. Go during the off-season – Instead of going in the middle of Summer with all the other toursits, consider a Fall trip with your family. You will beat the crowds and be able to have fun relaxing with the family instead of stuck in lines and traffic. Gulf County in Florida is a great place to visit in the Fall. They have two time zones and spotty wi-fi so it’s the perfect place to unplug and connect with family!
You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest to find ideas on where to visit while you are there and enter fun giveaways! Come visit GCFL – I know I want to!!! My husband would be thrilled about all of their historic spots like Indian Pass Raw Bar and he’s always on board with a “no worry no hurry” type of lifestyle!
4. Dollar store – Stop by the dollar store on your way out of town to stock up on NEW toys for the kids. Even though they are cheap there is something extra-entertaining about toys that have never been played with before. These are perfect to have on hand during your travels, regardless of if you are driving or flying!
5. Games – Stock up on board games to play if the weather is bad or after a long day at the beach. Board games are a great way to keep family together and interacting with one another, and away from the screens that so readily suck up our time normally.
6. Make a tradition – Find a place you love (like gulf county, florida!) and make it your yearly tradition. This will take all the guess-work out of vacation planning and allow you to truly relax since you know you’ll have a great time every year. I love our yearly trips to the beach closest to our home and the kids do too! They love playing in the sand (still a bit wary of the water) and doing it together each year makes it all the more special!
What is your best tip for a stress-free vacay? Have you ever tried one in the Fall or do you have another family tradition? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Lisa @ The Wellness Wife says
Great post! I love vacation, but we also aren’t extravagant spenders. And, vacations should never be stressful.