Planning a vacation can be tough, and even more difficult if you’re an entrepreneur. Often, many entrepreneurs struggle when it comes to balancing finances and how much to spend on family getaways. Wanna know a secret? The key to any trip is to plan and SAVE early!
With the holidays are fast approaching, you may be traveling to visit family, or for a getaway. Here I share some tips, I’ve gained from my travel experiences, that may help you plan your next family vacation on a budget.
1. Don’t go on a trip without at least six months of planning and saving
These organizational skills are important if you want to stay on track. If you put aside $40-$60 a week this can help you handle the cost of your trip when the time comes. If you do the math, that’s anywhere between $160 and $240 a month, giving you anywhere from $940 to $1,440 for your trip at the end of the six months! This amount of cash goes far when you have a methodical itinerary in mind. Starting to plan six months out allows you time to book inexpensive hotels, flights, and find restaurant deals to help you save in the long run.
2. When you’re thinking of a family trip, be sure to research your area
Sometimes, you can stay on the outskirts of a place and travel to where you want to go! This can save you hundreds, even thousands, when it comes to hotels and food.
3. Be creative and have fun
Sometimes a simple change of scenery is all it takes to have a nice trip. It’s quite possible to have a good time with your family close to home. Planning a trip doesn’t have to be across country— sometimes just two or three towns away can be just as much fun.
4. Find free or reduced price activities
Some of the best activities when traveling are free! Especially if you’re traveling with kids. There are many restaurants that have days where kids eat free, parks that have live music and other activities, and coupon sites such as Groupon that can help you stick to your budget.
5. Use CASH!
I can’t tell you how many times we miscalculate when we’re using a debit card! Sometimes, carrying cash on your trip will help you minimize overspending. Once it’s gone, it’s gone! If everything is accounted and you should stay within your budget.
No matter what, planning a trip can be complicated, but planning and making sure your finances are in good order makes it that much easier. Be sure to do your research and plan well, then just kick back, relax, and have fun, knowing you’ve done well by utilizing these tips.