20 Tips About Family Vacation Budget – Part 2

11. Be prepared. Being on vacation doesn't exempt you from emergencies. Thus, be prepared to respond to emergencies while away.

• Pack needed medications and related equipment for family member who require them. Carry more than enough for your planned trip. Save on over-the-counter medication by bringing it with you, rather than buying them "on the other side."

• Carry a copy of your medical and dental insurance cards, physicians' contact information, and a list of illnesses, prescription drug and food allergies of which any family member suffers.

While this may come naturally at home, in an emergency situation you could easily forget pertinent information while under pressure. Also bring along at least one emergency contact number for a family or friend who can reached should emergency personnel need to contact them for you. Thinking about such eventualities aren’t pleasant, but it's better to be prepared should they arise.

• Leave a copy of your complete itinerary, including your airline and hotel reservations and daily activities, if known, with at least one extended family member. It will come in handy should someone need to contact you concerning an emergency back home.

12. When vacation is over, take time to regroup and reconnect. Coming home can be anti-climatic after spending days living out of suitcases and participating in new, exciting activities. After each trip, carve out a portion of the first day or two to unwind. Doing so will help everyone to gently return to your family's routine.

13. You may want to take a credit card along for safety and convenience. However, it is important to remember that credit should not be used as an extension of your income. No matter how much fun you had on a vacation, it’s never fun to still be paying it off years later. In fact, if you put at $2,000 vacation on your 18% interest credit card and make only the minimum monthly payments, it would take you more than 18 years to pay it off.

14. Decide on the ground rules. How many times have you been on a family vacation and seen parents and their children arguing? Vacations are supposed to be fun, not a battleground.

Parents should establish the rules in advance so that arguments don't take away joy from the day. For example, take children's spending. To them, nothing in a souvenir shop is too tacky or overpriced. How do you solve this dilemma? It’s simple.

They can buy what they want with their own money but they can't ask for more. A few months prior to vacation, begin reminding them that they should be saving their funds. Some do, some don't.

On the eve of departure, you can give them each $20 to supplement their savings. After that, they're on their own. If they spend it the first day, they're out of luck. Knowing in advance the ground rules on spending, fast food restaurants, and sharing the Game Boy saves countless arguments and embarrassing moments.

15. Publish it. Regardless of what you've done or where you've gone, it's always fun to remember it. Take a large scrapbook with you. As you are driving, dictate what happened that day and leave space to paste in photographs, postcards, admission tickets, etc.

When you read about vacations past, you can relive the memories. Some entries are exciting—such as when we saw a bear. Others are funny ("You know you're in trouble when the highlight of the day was when your pediatrician phoned in an anti-diarrhea prescription"). No event is too small to document. It all looks humorous in hindsight.

16. Alternate pricey attractions with those that are free--a hike in the woods, the best playground in the area, a tour of the local potato-chip factory.

17. Set the souvenir budget before you leave home and stick to it. Suggest the kids start collections along the way-postcards, pins, patches, for example.

18. Always ask when you call for reservations if there are any other discount deals available-kids eat free, a room upgrade, a second room at half price, etc.

19. Get out a map and talk about where you want to go and what you want to do. Even the four-year-old will have an opinion. Make sure everyone gets at least some of their picks on the itinerary. If the kids are old enough, suggest each one plan a day's activities.

20. Consider inviting a friend for an only child or for a sole preteen or teen in the family. He or she will be much happier.

Alright, now we’ve gotten the general tips out of the way. What you really want to know is, how can we take a fabulous family vacation on a budget and where? We’ve shown you how. Now let’s explore where!

We want you to know before you read further that these destinations have been picked based on the recommendations of many different experts and are not endorsed in any way by us specifically. However, we think these experts are dead straight on in their suggestions. So, let’s look at destination number 1 – Disney World!

20 Tips About Family Vacation Budget – Part 1

We can’t possibly tell you everything you need to know about taking a family vacation on a budget. After all, this is only a 60 page book! Granted, it’s a 60 page book packed with all sorts of valuable information, but even if we give you every single money-saving tip we can find, there are still some aspects of the family vacation that should be addressed so that everyone is having fun!

1. Write down your budget, make it detailed, and stick to it! If you’ve budgeted $1,000 for food, be sure you’re going to be able to feed everyone the entire time for $1,000. It’ll save you a lot of stress and aggravation and you can make adjustments elsewhere if you find you’re close to going over budget.

2. No matter what, ALWAYS ask for discounts. You won’t ever get them unless you ask for them. If they’re available, you should take advantage – for you and your vacation budget!

3. Remember to be flexible! Be able to change your plans if need be and “go with the flow”.

4. Buy your children journals – cheap notebooks – and give them fun pens so they can record their thoughts and experiences as you go through your travels. They’ll appreciate it later plus it keeps them busy!

5. Once you've selected a destination, share copies of your travel brochures with your family. Then watch the excitement skyrocket.

6. Make lists. Planning a family trip often sparks more questions than answers. Thanks to lists, however, you'll have the answers at your fingertips. Some "Last-Minute List," which to use before departing can include: "Don't Forget," "To Do," and "Pack Now." It's a great time-saver, and ensures non-replaceable essentials like medications and such aren’t left behind.

7. When traveling in the U.S., contact local tourism departments for free brochures and maps, and any money-saving coupons. Also contact the local Chambers of Commerce where you will be vacationing to see if they have any resident packets that might include valuable money-saving coupons and tips on where to visit.

8. Cruise the Internet for reduced prices on everything from lodging to airfare to car rentals to entertainment - and everything in between. Wherever your dream destination, you can point and click your way into an affordable, enjoyable vacation without ever leaving home.

9. Maintain a routine while on vacation. It's tempting to set aside bed times and other daily routines while traveling. But sticking as closely as possible to normal routines—like meal times, and bed times—will help your family to enjoy each day's activities and return home less stressed.

10. Schedule some down time. Because family travel can be so expensive, parents often attempt to book as much activity in a day as humanly possible. Unfortunately, that whirlwind approach can be more tiresome than fun—for parents and children. One option: schedule a mid-day "rest stop" to unwind, or finish activities by 7 p.m.

Eating Well On A Travel Budget

When you're traveling it can be difficult to find good food at reasonable prices especially if you happen to be staying in a big city that has an established food and restaurant culture. When you're faced with a budget, you want to try and maximize your enjoyment per buck. If you want to eat well and sample the local cuisine for a budget price, you'll need to do a little research to find that perfect restaurant that offers a balance between quality and price.

Obviously, if you’re staying at an all-inclusive, you won’t need to worry about this part, but many, many people need to consider where they’re going to feed their family and not break the bank.

First, check with your hotel or hostel and inquire whether breakfast is included in your stay. In Europe many hotels provide breakfast. If you're hotel does provide breakfast, don't skip it in favor for paying for food elsewhere. Remember the continental breakfast we had? Never pass up an amenity that’s included in your room rate. Hotel and hostel breakfasts are also a great way to get to know other guests.

Another option for budget eating is to eat at a chain restaurant that you a familiar with, such as McDonald's, Burger King or Kentucky Fried Chicken. You can find a McDonald's about anywhere world-wide. While this isn’t recommended for every day, it is a good way to save a little money when you’re low for the day. After all, you can eat at McDonald’s at home! If you want to become familiar with the culture of the country you are visiting, eating at a fast food restaurant is not a good option.

You can also buy groceries and make your own food. If you have a kitchen or kitchenette, this is excellent for breakfasts and lunches. It’s much cheaper to pour a bowl of cereal for your little ones in your room instead of going down to the dining room where the cereal will be overpriced anyway. Pick up some cold cuts and bread and pack a lunch instead of buying the over-priced hot food at the theme park!

Eating one or two meals a day from a street vendor or take-out restaurant may also be a good way to still eat great, but save some money. Not only will you get a taste of local flavor and culture, but you will find the food is very good and reasonably priced!

Being friendly with other guests in the hotel, the concierge and the locals, is another great way to discover good food that won't break the budget. Ask a local if they know any good restaurants that aren't too expensive. They should be able to come up with a few good options for you. Make sure you indicate that you want to sample some local cooking.

If you're going to splurge at an expensive restaurant, lunch is a good time to do so. You can often get the same famous food at a significantly lower cost. Since most health experts agree that eating the largest meal of the day in the afternoon is a good idea, you'll be doing more than your pocketbook a favor.

Almost every town has a local “Mom and Pop” diner that provides better than excellent home cooking for not a lot of money. We found one in Florida that offered up an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $4.00 per person and it had everything on it you could ever wish for at breakfast time!

Another good way to find inexpensive restaurants is to always be looking for a good place to eat. If you're out visiting a tourist site, stop by a few restaurants and read their menus which are usually posted in the window. Even if you are not hungry, you may decide to come back later. You may have better luck with this technique when you are in an area of the city that is not your standard tourist destination.

Eating in a sit-down full service restaurant is the most expensive dining option, so if you are really on a budget, you may want to limit the number of full service meals you eat. But don’t forget to spoil yourself.

When I was in Boston, I wanted a full-service lobster dinner with all the trimmings. I wanted to be pampered and enjoy a meal I wouldn’t get to have at home.

I went to the restaurant best known for their delicious lobster which was also well-known for their high prices. That lobster ate up a large portion of my food budget, but as I ate that tasty lobster, I found it was more than worth the price I paid.

If you're on a budget, you can still eat great during your travels; you just need to be aware of all your food options. Ask around with locals for recommendations. Make sure you know the price before you eat. Most important of all, you should try new things. Stretch your boundaries and try something that you would never eat at home. After all isn't the reason you travel is to discover something different.

If your hotel offers a “kids eat free” plan or discounted meals for your stay, take advantage of this as much as you can, but remember, you’re on vacation to experience your travel destination. The point is to get outside your hotel and live!

Before we get into specific vacation suggestions, we wanted to offer up some general tips and advice to get the maximum enjoyment value out of your family trip. It’s not a vacation unless it’s providing enjoyment – for everyone!

Transportation - Part 2

Local Buses

Well, this section is going to be short! You can also utilize the local bus service of the city you are staying in. What’s the advantage? It’s cheap! What’s the disadvantage? It can take quite awhile for you to get to your destination.

When we were in Las Vegas, we utilized the city bus system and had a very good experience. We weren’t on a strict timetable and if we saw a place we wanted to get off the bus and visit, we could. We purchased a 5 day pass for unlimited bus rides for $10 and got to board and de-board as many times as we wanted.

Sure, we didn’t get downtown right when the light show started, but we were darn close to the beginning and a taxi ride would have cost us way over the $10 we initially spent for our bus passes.



Taxicabs

We’ll just come right out and say it - taxicabs are expensive – bottom line. Yet sometimes, they are a necessarily “evil” when you are traveling. If you do have a schedule you are trying to stick to, they can be a lifesaver getting you to the show you have tickets for on time or the restaurant who frowns on people late for their reservations.

The key to taking taxicabs is to tell the driver up front where you are going and ask what the estimated fare will be. If it’s within your budget, hop in! If it’s not, you’ll need to figure out another way to get to your destination. That’s the plain and simple truth!

And cabs are probably most expensive in tropical or luxury locations. We know of one couple on a Hawaiian cruise who got off at one of the islands and caught a taxicab to go parasailing. It ended up costing them a small fortune for a one-way ride only to find out it was too windy to parasail that day and they had to eat the same exorbitant fare on the way back to the ship.

Find out in advance and have a backup plan, just in case.


Other Transportation

If you’re on an island or in a resort town, you may want to consider bicycles or scooters for your transportation needs. They can often be rented for a small amount of money and you get the satisfaction of getting some exercise along with the local flavor!

And, of course, you can always “hoof it”. However, we recommend this only if your destination is close enough to walk to. In the aforementioned Las Vegas trip, we thought it would be fun to walk The Strip and get a real taste for Vegas. What we didn’t know was that The Strip was well over 5 miles long. By the time we reached the end, we were all so exhausted; we called a cab and paid the $25 it took to get us back to our hotel.

Alright, you know your destination and have booked your flight. You know which hotel works best for you and have mapped out the different ways to visit the places you want to see. What else needs to be addressed in the budget? Food!

Transportation - Part 1

If your plan is to go beyond your place of lodging – which it probably will be – you’ll need to consider outside transportation. These are a matter of taste and what is most important to you in the area of convenience and price. You may like having your own car to be able to go where you please when you please, but that can be expensive. There are other options.


Rental Cars

If you do want to rent a car, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. When procuring a rental car, get the smallest one that your family can fit into comfortably. There’s no need to spend extra money on luxury when an economy car will still get you to where you need to go.

You’ll have to decide on whether or not you want to buy the rental insurance offered by the company. We won’t tell you one way or another because there are advantages and disadvantages either way.

If you are comfortable enough with driving and feel you can be careful enough to avoid any accidents then waive the insurance. You may want to check with your own auto insurance plan before you leave to see if you are covered under that policy while you’re operating a rental car.

However, keep in mind that accidents can and do happen despite our best efforts. Any of you who’ve seen the movie, “Meet The Fockers”, know what I’m talking about!

If you want to take the chance and waive that insurance, remember that any damages to the rental car will come out of your own pocket. Often the cost for this insurance is relatively minimal, so it might be worth peace of mind – at the very least to go ahead and initial that line.

Rental car agencies vary widely in price and offer a great opportunity for negotiating. You can save hundreds of dollars by checking the various locations in a town. Often it is much cheaper to pick up a car away from the airport.

If you work for a company that has a corporate account with certain agencies, they often honor the discount rates when you travel for leisure. Check all discounts offered for AAA, AARP, weekend rentals, etc. They have lots of room to negotiate, so just keep asking what discounts you could qualify for.

Use discounts offered in the Entertainment book. When you pick up your vehicle, many companies will upgrade you to a much nicer car for the same rate if you learn to ask with a nice smile. Check out the people behind the counter, and wait for one that appears to be more friendly and easier to work with.


Hotel Courtesy Vans

Many hotels do provide courtesy vans for their guests to use for transportation when staying at their hotel. This is a great amenity and one that should be used if it is available. Each hotel is different about their policies regarding use of their vans, however, so you should check with the front desk upon check-in to see what theirs is.

Often, you just need to inform the front desk that you’ll need a van to go to, say, a local restaurant, and they will be waiting outside the lobby for you to take you to your destination. At that time, you can probably let the driver know what time you want to be picked up and they will return to bring you back to the hotel.

However, hotel courtesy vans ARE NOT taxi cabs. They are a service provided by the hotel for the convenience of their guests, so they should be used wisely lest you make a concierge angry by inviting 15 people you met at a bar to come along for the ride and then asking the van to drop them off in 15 different places!

Other hotels have set times for departure from the hotel and set drop-off points that are pre-determined around the location where you are staying. In this capacity, they almost operate like a bus service. Be there on time and you get a ride – if you’re late, call a cab!

The best part about these courtesy vans is that they are free to use as long as you are a guest at the hotel. This certainly is a great way to save money on vacation!

All-Inclusives Family Package

We’ve addressed each of the most important aspects so far in your family vacation plan, but we need to address a HUGE money saver to you now – especially if you’re taking along children. Almost all resorts will offer you an all-inclusive package which can mean big bucks in the saving department!

These packages may just be while you’re at their hotel, or they could include airfare and transfers as well. You’ll have to do your research and find out what is best for you.

An all-inclusive package at a resort will mean that all your meals, drinks, and gratuities are included in the price of your room. So you’ll have a place to stay, a place to eat, and a place to party if you so choose – all for one price! No need to worry about budgeting for dinner or a night out! It’s all included!

With these types of plans, however, you’ll need to get to your destination at your own expense for which we refer you to the above section titled “Getting There”.

However, there are other all-inclusive plans that include airfare, transportation to and from the airport to the hotel, and then they throw in the meals, drinks, etc. with the price as well. This, we think, would be the best type of all-inclusive to book because then you don’t have to worry about budgeting for anything except for excursions, admission fees, and souvenirs.

All-inclusives are a great way to save money on vacation. With an all-inclusive, you know up front what you're paying for and there are no surprises. When you go someplace else, everything adds up.

There can be drawbacks, however. One of these is that they may only offer a flight out of Miami and you live in Albany, New York. You’ll have to get to Miami to catch your flight, but you will probably still realize some huge savings in the long run.

Looking For Lodging? - Part 2

You should consider booking a hotel outside the main part of town but still close to the sights you want to see. By staying away from the more popular hotels right in the middle of the action, you’ll have a better chance of not only saving money, but also getting accommodations at the time you want them.

Know what you are buying, though. Sometimes you can save money by spending a little more. For example, if lodging includes breakfast or has an indoor pool, or has a better location that will cut down on the time and expense of traveling to the attractions you're interested in; the extra expense may be well worth it.

Be aware of amenities that may be extra prices hidden in the price of the room. For example, the hotel may provide a turn-down service for a few dollars and say it’s included in the room rate. If you don’t want turn down service, ask it be removed from your room rate. Not all hotels do this, but it never hurts to ask!

Many people look for a place near the attractions they want to visit so that biking or walking can be the mode of transportation. It can be nice to not be dependent on a vehicle to get you from place to place.

Also, ask if there are any discounts available. Some hotels have children stay free policies or will offer 50 percent off a second room for children 17 and under. If you’re a member of an organization, ask if they offer any discounts. Belonging to a motor club like AAA can save you money too. They often work with hotels to give their members value for their dues.

Although we’ll address ways to save on your meals in a later chapter, you might also want to find a hotel that offers a complimentary continental breakfast.

We recently stayed in a hotel that said free continental breakfast and expected the usual bagels, toast, and cold cereal. Were we surprised to find that their idea of continental breakfast included eggs cooked any way you wanted, bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy all in a buffet style setting.

This writer was blown away and left the buffett full – to be sure! We didn’t have to buy lunch because we were still full from breakfast, so that saved us some money! We just thought “Woo Hoo!”

Looking For Lodging? - Part 1

There are all kinds of questions to ask when looking for suitable lodging on your vacation. What type of hotel do you want to stay in? Does it have to have a pool? What about courtesy vans? Does it have to be a hotel? There are many, many options out there to keep your vacation budget in line and still have a place to lay your head!

Most savvy budget travelers recommend a hotel that offers up a kitchen or kitchenette. This can save you a huge amount of money on meals. Having a kitchen when you’re vacationing with kids can be invaluable. Often the cost on a per person basis can be well worth the time it takes to cook up some of your own meals.

Families should consider condominium-style accommodations as these are often comparable in price to a fine hotel (and even less than the cost of two rooms), and give you the luxury of a spacious apartment with a full-kitchen and amenities like laundry machines - a nice feature when you have young children. Other "non-traditional" lodgings include furnished apartments, house swaps or renting a villa.

If you prefer to mingle with the locals rather than other tourists, look into a home exchange vacation. One couple spent their eight-week honeymoon touring Europe without ever staying in a hotel; instead, they stayed in private homes while their European hosts stayed in their New York City apartment.
Sound risky? Maybe—but tens of thousands of people have exchanged homes since the 1950s. For an annual membership fee (usually around $50), home exchange clubs help members arrange exchanges, as well as offering tips to make the exchange go smoothly.

According to ExchangeHomes.com, a home exchange can cut travel costs by as much as half. More importantly, though, a home exchange vacation makes it possible for you to live like the locals, and perhaps make some life-long friends.

In a slight twist on the home exchange idea, look into joining a hospitality club that will hook you up with people willing to host you on your next vacation. The largest hospitality club has more than 23,000 members in 148 countries.

Membership is usually free, although members are asked to provide hospitality to others (on a voluntary basis) in return sometime in the future. In addition to saving money, staying with others is a great way to meet locals who can give an insider’s perspective on your destination.

Now this next suggestion might seem a little off the wall, but if saving money is your ultimate goal, it might be something you will want to consider. Stay in a monastery or a convent.

Monasteries and convents have a long tradition of providing hospitality to travelers. Aside from being a lot more interesting (and affordable) than the local Holiday Inn, a monastery can be a great place to explore your spiritual landscape.

Many monasteries and convents ask for a donation of $40 to $80 per night; others only ask for a free-will offering. In addition to simple accommodations, monasteries and convents often offer their guests simple meals as well as opportunities to participate in daily prayer and work. Reservations may be required in advance.

You can research this vacation idea by looking up individual monasteries or convents online. Or get a guidebook such as “Europe's Monastery and Convent Guesthouses: A Pilgrim's Travel Guide” or “Sanctuaries: The Complete United States: A Guide to Lodgings in Monasteries, Abbeys, and Retreats.”

Are We There Yet?

When vacation season approaches, many families plan to take to the road in order to escape the stress of the daily grind. A poorly planned family road-trip can be a greater source of frustration than many families realize.

Unfortunately, these families tend to encounter this frustration halfway into the vacation, at a time when little can be done to remedy it. The level of stress during the trip is in direct proportion to the quality of planning done before pulling out of the driveway.

It can be so disappointing to make travel plans in order to promote family 'togetherness' only to get to the destination with parents and children at each others' throats. But when parents discover how simple planning can make the trip fun and memorable, the difference in the quality of the actual vacation is measurable. Having the right tools on the road can make all the difference between the success and failure of the actual vacation.

First, take time to plot out a trip that includes pre-planned rest stops, a cooler of refreshments (to avoid high-priced rest stop and fast food prices), music and books on tape, and lots of activities for the kids in the back.

Keep everyone occupied with Ghost, 20 Questions, Punch Buggy and License Plate Bingo, then try a scavenger hunt, a tin foil sculpture contest and Penny Ante.

Try leaving for your trip at a time other than in the morning or mid-afternoon. You may even want to leave in the early or late evening. There’s something to be said for the lull of the road to put bickering kids to sleep. Just be sure the driver is able to stay awake!

Borrow an idea from the airlines: show a movie. Rent (or buy) a TV/VCR made to play in your vehicle, hit "play" and go. Portable DVD players are more affordable these days and they can be a lifesaver on a long trip!

Make goodie bags for your kids to keep them occupied on the long trip. For the bag itself, use an old book bag or backpack, lunch box, shopping bag, small suitcase or a small purse. The length of the trip may end up determining the appropriate size of the travel knapsack. If you are traveling by plane, try to use something that closes tightly to avoid spills.

Make sure you have a separate bag for each child to avoid arguments. You might want to consider labeling items with the child's name for extra certainty. Fill bags with the same items if your children are near in age or have similar interests.

Some suggestions for items to include are: spiral notebook, colored pencils, washable markers, story books, activity books, magnetic games, card games, travel-size board games, kazoo, hand held electronic games, sticker books, non-melting crayons, coloring books, Mad-Libs, magnifying glass, paper dolls, magic slates, invisible ink books, small cars, finger puppets, small dolls/ action figures, felt books with stick-ons, blunt scissors, sewing cards, puzzles, pipe cleaners, slinky, origami paper, books on tape, and a tape player or CD player and headphones.

Let your child help you pack the bag and encourage him/ her to think about what he/ she wants to take on the trip. Allow your children to choose their favorite toys to place in the knapsack. Do not forget to pack your child's security items such as a blanket or stuffed animal. That could surely spell disaster.

You may wish to include snacks to tide your children over between meals. Choose snacks carefully to avoid messes and stomach aches. Avoid sticky fruits and drinks that you cannot re-close and pack snacks in zipper bags for easy clean-up. Some travel-safe snacks are: fruit rolls, animal crackers, raisins, bottled water, sliced apples, carrot sticks, bananas, and small bags of cereal.

Once you’ve figured out how to get to your destination, you’ll need a place to stay.

Ways To Arrive At Your Vacation Destination

There are many ways to arrive at your vacation destination. Once upon a time, the only way a family could afford a vacation was to load up the car and head out on the road. How many of you remember these long trips? I certainly do! But you don’t necessarily have to drive to vacation anymore! There are all kinds of options today that are affordable and much more enjoyable!


Driving

If you will be driving, gas prices will be a huge consideration. At the time of this book’s writing, gas in the Midwest is running just under $3.00 per gallon. If you’re going to be driving more than 300 miles, depending on the gas mileage of your vehicle, it will probably be cheaper to fly. We suggest that you drive only if you are going to a location that isn’t too very far from your home.

There can be huge advantages, however, to driving. You won’t have to worry as much about dates and times. You can just pack up and go. There’s something to be said for seeing the country out the windows of a car.

It can be a learning experience for your children as they get to see the beautiful nation they live in. This is a good time to foster conversation with your family as well. When there’s not much else to do along the way, tell each other stories, share your thoughts and memories with them. You’ll all learn so much if you do!

The next section explores specific ways to make car travel on vacation not only bearable, but enjoyable!




Flying

With airlines competing for business today, air travel is more affordable than it once was. Booking early for airfare will save you a lot of money. Booking ahead is important to getting a fair rate.
Family travel is centered around school holidays, making space at a premium. The farther out you book, the better your chances that you will get what you want. It's a question of supply and demand. When demand is high, prices are high. It is suggested you try to plan trips ten months to a year in advance, so you get what you want and don't feel like you have to settle for what you can get.

You’ll probably find the best deals online at one of the sites we mentioned above. They’re easily navigable and you can get instant availability reports along with alternative suggested routes.

When booking airfare online, don’t overlook discount and international airlines—some are not listed on the big travel portal websites, even though they might have a lower fare to your destination. Also be sure to compare rates for alternate airports within a reasonable traveling distance.

You might live half an hour from a major airport, but the smaller airport a couple hours away might have substantially lower fares. Check for alternate airports near your destination, too.

Be flexible about your arrival and departure dates; the major travel portals all have options to search for the cheapest flights within a range of dates. Any one of these alternatives could potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Many credit card companies offer frequent flier miles when you use their cards for purchases. This is a great way to save on air travel by taking advantage of this service. Use your credit card for almost every purchase you make then cash in at vacation time. It could mean free airfare for you and your family!

Of course, it could also mean large credit card bills and unpaid balances, so spend wisely. Only use the card for things you would purchase normally – not on extravagant items just to get the mileage.

Don’t throw away your junk mail! Sometimes inside those coupon packages, there will be discounts for air travel. One person almost threw away her Val-Pak envelope, but decided to go through it just in case there was anything in there she could use. Lo and behold, there was a certificate for $100 off travel with a discount airline. The coupon was good for up to 4 tickets, so each member of her family flew to Florida for just $54 each round trip!

Finally, you can go to a travel agent to book your flight. They are very knowledgeable about the airline business and can often save you tons of cash if you let them know that is your biggest priority. They’ll give you free rate quotes as well, so when you call, you can see if a flight will fit into your budgeted plan.

Here are some valuable tips to help you save on airfare when booking yourself:

• Airlines usually reload their computers at midnight, so as soon after that as possible is a good time to shop online for low cost seats that folks might have reserved but not paid for.

• When one airline announces a sale to a particular destination, chances are the others will soon follow suit, so be on the lookout and call or click around.

• Use the internet to search out last minute bargain weekend fares. Most airlines' websites have a place where drastically reduced weekend fares are available. Start checking on Wednesday for the weekend ahead.


Trains

Many, many songs have been written about the country’s love for trains and the rail system. Most of them, however, are about hopping a freight train bound for Georgia or some other unseemly way to travel. Train travel isn’t like that anymore.

Today’s trains are luxury vehicles that rival many airplanes. They provide for roomy seats, dining cars, club cars, and even sleeping berths for really long trips. The best part is, these conveniences don’t always come at a premium price.

Amtrak, the country’s major train service offers up many, many discount plans for budget savvy travelers. Since it’s a family vacation, we assume you will probably have children along. If these passengers are age 15 or under, they get to travel at half price.

You can also find money saving coupons in mailings and online. All you have to do is look around. And don’t forget to ask for discounts! If you don’t ask, they probably won’t be offered up to you even though they might be available, so take a moment when booking and say, “Can you get that rate any lower?”

Long car trips are long and storied in family vacation history. The tales abound and grow larger with each telling as each family member recounts the horrendous story of the 18 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. Is there any way to make the vacation drive easier? You bet!

Beginning Of Your Vacation Plan

The first thing you must do is plan early. Spontaneity works well for day trips, but is not as effective for longer jaunts. By planning early, you will find cheaper fares and more available accommodations.

You can also have the opportunity to save any additional funds you might need, perhaps include extended invitations to other family members, and get together all the paperwork you might need if traveling abroad.

While planning, it’s a good idea to stay flexible in your desires. Flexibility equals maximum pleasure for everyone. This is especially true if you have special needs due to a disability or are taking along teens and children who will want to do different things.

Get your children involved too. This will not only make them much more enthusiastic about the trip, but they can provide their input into what types of activities they want to do and what types of activities they’d like to do as a family. They’ll be much more excited when they are fully involved in deciding where the family will be vacationing, so be sure to get their opinions too.

You probably already have some kind of idea as to what you’ll be able to afford when taking a vacation. If you do have a specific number in mind, this makes it much easier to pick out a destination. You can research what’s available in your price range and choose the trip that will best fit your family.

If you don’t have a specific number in mind, make a list of your dream vacations. Include those places you’ve always wanted to go as well as places you think would fit the personalities of your family. See what these types of vacations will cost, and then pick the one you think you can save for or afford to take right away.

The Internet is an indispensable tool to do this. There are many travel websites that offer vacation packages for specific destinations. Here are some highly suggested by the experts:

www.expedia.com
www.orbitz.com
www.cheaptickets.com
www.travelocity.com

When you use these sites, they can give you best prices for various destinations, but they can also provide valuable suggestions for where you can go as well as activities that are available and ratings from other travelers who have taken the same vacations.

You can also use:

www.priceline.com

Price line often allows you to name a price you’re willing to pay for flights, hotels, etc., but you have to take what they offer you if they accept your price. For example, you may be willing to pay $100 for a $200 airline flight, but they may accept your price only if you’re willing to take the redeye in the middle of the night. If this is something you can live with, by all means, book it! Just be flexible.

Do you detect a theme here in the planning phase? Flexibility is the key!

You’ll need to decide if you will be flying to your destination or driving. There are many airlines that have cut-rate prices when you fly during certain times. Again, you’ll need to be flexible on departure dates and times.

You’ll also need to decide on a time frame for your vacation. Again, if you are flexible on departure dates, you’re more likely to get a better deal. We realize, however, that work constraints might not allow you to change your vacation dates, but if possible, it’s best to just have a general idea instead of a rock solid date.

Try to travel on days other than Friday, Saturday or Sunday which are the busiest travel days of the week. You can firm up plans later if needed.

Once you’ve got your destination in mind, you’ll need to consider a couple of other things before booking your trip.

How To Save For Your Family Vacation

There are many effective ways to save for your family vacation. When you spend 40 hours a week slaving at your job, you deserve to have some time to get away from the rat race, relax, and enjoy your family.

Unless you’re independently wealthy, you’ll need a plan for saving up the money you need. While this may seem like a simple proposition, some people find it difficult to lay aside some money each pay period. The key here is discipline.

Open up a separate savings account specifically meant for your vacation money. If your employer offers direct deposit, you can usually specify a certain amount of money be put into this account. Some banks will schedule an automatic direct transfer to your savings account if you don’t have direct deposit or if you are not able to deposit money into two separate accounts.

Examine the amount of money your family spends weekly or monthly on family entertainment and fast food restaurants. Then reduce that amount, storing the remainder away for your trip. So that a pending vacation doesn't become a joy-buster, shop around for freebie and reduced-cost entertainment options to enjoy during the months before you depart.

Another good way to save up money is to save your change. When you use cash, resolve to only use paper money. Then take the change you receive and put it aside at the end of every day. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it can build up.

One family reported that they kept a “vacation jar” in a convenient place and each family member would deposit change and the occasional dollar bill into it. When they emptied the jar and had it counted, they had managed to save $5,000 – enough for them to enjoy a tropical getaway to Grand Cayman Island!

While you may not have that much in your change jar, emptying it at vacation time can mean extra spending money or that little boost you need to go on your dream vacation.

Be sure and involve your kids in the saving venture. This is a great time to teach the valuable lessons of saving and budgeting money.

Look for other ways to add extra cash to the vacation coffer. One family we know would save aluminum cans and take them into the recycling plant periodically for cash. Throughout the course of a year, they managed to accumulate an extra $1,000 for their vacation.

You could have a rummage sale to earn extra vacation cash as well. There are plenty of opportunities out there to add to your vacation savings. You just need to think outside of the box and resolve that any extra cash you get will go toward your family vacation.

You need to budget realistically. Vacations need not be expensive. Budget an amount and stick to it. If you're driving, set a fixed spending amount ($150 per day, for example). Include all of your expenses, gas, meals, admissions, special activities, etc.
Involve your children in the process. Share with them that conserving money on one day allows them to go to a water park on another day. Be creative.
To save money, you can eat only one meal in a restaurant per day. For the other two, prepare your own food and either eat in the hotel room or have a picnic. Take turns letting the kids choose the type of food—and, if you are really adventurous, the restaurant—each day. This way, the children feel important and it minimizes arguments.

A good point to also keep in mind when determining how much you can afford to spend on a vacation is to be sure that you consider other periodic expenses that may be waiting for you when you return, such as back-to-school costs, holiday expenses and next year’s taxes.

That’s why we highly recommend a separate account for your vacation savings. That way you have your vacation money separate from your everyday money and won’t have to stress about “robbing Peter to pay Paul” when you get home from your trip!

The next key to a successful getaway on a budget is to plan.

Thinking For A Family Vacation?

The family vacation has been portrayed in many ways. From National Lampoon’s “Vacation” showing the trials and tribulations of the Griswold family trying to get to “Wally World” to “The Great Outdoors” with John Candy and his family renting out a cabin in the woods only to encounter a meddling bear. Family vacations in the media seem to be one thing going wrong after another.

But in real life, the family vacation is a time to bond together as a family unit and enjoy newfound times of closeness while exploring new adventures and locales. The memories you can make on these vacations will stay with you for years and give your children special moments they’ll treasure forever.

You can choose to drive cross country and see the quirky roadside attractions such as the largest ball of yarn or the corn museum. Some don’t look at this as a true vacation. After all, being stuck in a car for the majority of the trip can breed some real family strife!

You could also book a family cruise or fly to Mexico to spend time at a resort, but this can get pricey, and with all the activities they have for children, some parents fear the bonding they were looking forward to won’t happen.

For the family on a budget, the notion of a memorable and fun-filled vacation may seem out of reach. That’s simply not true, however. There are many, many ways you can have a terrific family vacation while on a budget. You don’t have to sacrifice fun because of lack of money. There are all kinds of vacations that can be had within almost every budget.

While traveling is good for the economy and for your soul, it can be hard on your wallet. In fact, AAA estimates that a family of four should budget at least $244 per day for meals, lodging and automobile travel costs. And that figure doesn’t include the staple of family vacations—entertainment. As usual, the best way to keep the costs down is to plan ahead and make informed decisions.

But how do you start? You start with family input, a survey of your resources, and a well-thought out plan. We’ll not only show you how to do that easily, but we’ll also give you all kinds of ideas for family vacations and ways that you can make them affordable and fun!

Whether it’s a summer trip, spring break jaunt, or wintering in the tropics, you’ll be able to plan your dream vacation without breaking the bank. You’ll get maximum fun without sacrificing every penny of your hard earned dollars – and you may even come back with a little extra to save for that next vacation!

What are you waiting for? Read on!