Family Vacations on a Budget

Family Vacations on a Budget

A wise woman once told me that there should be three vacations a year; a solo trip for mom, a solo trip for dad and a family trip. I know what you are thinking, great in theory but in reality it will never happen unless I win the lottery. May I suggest if you have to choose just one vacation a year it should be with the family.

Family vacations are a great way to spend quality time with your children and get out of the routine of work, chores, cleaning, and falling exhausted into bed each and every night. They are also a wonderful way to create memories that will last a lifetime. Our children grow up so fast that before we know it they won’t want to come on vacation with us anymore.

There are several ways to plan a family vacation without breaking the bank. The first step is to determine your budget. That will determine where and when you can go. If you have a family of four and can scrounge together $500 then you won’t be going to Disneyland. If you want to travel during peak tourist season, Christmas and summertime, you will be paying a premium.

As a mom I am always trying to save money but still have fun with my family. My preferable modes of vacationing without breaking the bank are camping, renting apartments instead of hotels and sharing accommodations with friends.

Camping is ideal when you are looking for low-cost, adventurous vacation. There is nothing like cooking your meals outdoors and falling asleep under the stars at night.
Another fabulous way to travel with your family and save money is to rent apartments. This is a growing business and we have had many successes in renting apartments all over Europe and North America. This allows you to be at a home away from home. You can save money by having your meals at home rather than a restaurant which is great for those of us with young children. The added benefit is that you live like the locals and can buy your food at the local market.

If you have easy going, good-natured friends with kids then it would be a good idea to rent an apartment, cottage, or hotel room with them in order to split the costs. It also allows you to bring along baby-sitters. For example, a friend of mine vacations every year with her sister in-laws family. They baby sit each other kids every other day. This allows the parents to have kid-free days to relax and enjoy themselves. As a caution, if you go on a vacation with another family ensure they are compatible and lay down the ground rules before you invite them. There is nothing worse than vacationing with someone who’s idea of fun is staying up late and sleeping in while you wait around to start your day with the kids.

You don’t have to cancel your family vacation because the gas prices are draining your bank account. Be creative and you will find ways to enjoy your vacation without breaking the bank.