The end of the school year signals the beginning of relaxation, good times and freedom. And we strongly urge you to take advantage of that freedom.
Summertime is one of the only times that families with children can take advantage of those three months of freedom. However, for many people, finances make it difficult to get away, even just for the weekend. Well, we strongly believe that vacation time is necessary for family bonding – especially in this day and age when busy schedules are the norm and little-to-no downtime is not uncommon. That’s why we’ve put together a few ways you can raise money for a last minute vacation when you need it the most…
Here are a few things we do if we suddenly feel the itch to get away from it all for a day or two:
1. Garage sale!
It’s better late than never to start in on your spring-cleaning. I don’t know about you, but when I want to take a vacation, my house is suddenly and miraculously full of stuff I do not need. Clear out all that junk you don’t use, set up some tables, buy some signs and open your garage door for business. I guarantee you – this is one of the best ways to make a quick buck or two!
2. Cook your meals.
You would be surprised by how much eating out actually eats into your bank account. If you eat out just ONCE a week – without your kids even – you’re spending $40 on a meal that you could have probably made for $7. If you take your kids, that’s an extra $20 to $60…
The more you eat in, the more you save.
When you ARE on vacation, make your meals in the cabin/hotel room/backyard. Tourist attractions always have the most expensive restaurants, so if possible, try to avoid them at all costs. You’ll save up to $200 a day by eating in alone!
3. Be flexible (if you can).
We understand that not everyone can leave in the middle of the week, but if you can, do so. Plane tickets, gas prices and lodging are ALWAYS cheaper in the middle of the week. Further more, if it’s Monday and you decide suddenly that you want to leave this Wednesday, plan for next Wednesday instead. The more in advance you plan your vacation, the better the deals you’re going to get.
4. If you’re flying, pack light.
Airfare no longer includes baggage, unfortunately. And most airlines charge an arm and a leg for checked bags. If you’re traveling with just two people, baggage alone could cost you up to $200. But if you’re traveling with kids, that price can be as much as two round trip flights!
Save money and pack only one carry on per person. You’ll thank yourself later for this.
(Hint: If you find cheap tickets on Southwest Airlines, this is the route to go. They allow for two checked bags, per person, free of charge. If you and your family are heavy packers, or if you’re going to be gone for more than a weekend, this may be the way to go.)
5. Wait.
Okay, we’re all about taking vacations, but if you’re in debt, are struggling to make ends meet or just simply can’t afford to get away for one reason or another, don’t add more stress to your life by paying for a vacation that you can’t really afford. Get your affairs in order, and we promise you, that vacation at the end of the summer will be well worth the wait—especially when you come back home and realize that you don’t have to pay for anything else other than food, rent and utilities for a while…
Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, and it is one of the busiest travel seasons as it marks the beginning of summer. To make the most of this holiday weekend, book your lodging now and start working to save money! Visit http://ccordova789.wix.com/memorialdayspecials to see how we can help