Frugal Underground

Mini vacations

Quality time with family is so important. When money is tight, it is sometimes difficult to figure out how to make a worthwhile vacation on a budget. Here’s how you can get the most out of a family vacation without spending all of your savings.

Photo by elephantsgerald

Take short trips. You can visit amusement parks, local carnivals, local fairs, museums, aquariums and zoos for very little money. Small children will appreciate getting out of the house, and are easily entertained with animals and rides. Site seeing is also a nice change of pace, and you can have a family picnic.

If you want a real get away, drive. Saving money on flight costs will allow some flex in the budget for admissions and food. Also, if you have your own car, you won’t have to rent one. You may also want to find out how much the public transportation in the area is between the hotel and the attraction.

A three night stay in a hotel is just long enough to relax and enjoy a break. If you plan a shorter trip, always budget for the cost of an extra night, just in case. Shortening the stay will save some money, and if you save enough for a longer stay, you can use the extra money for special dinners or souvenirs.