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3 Tips for Saving Money on Summer Vacation

By RomanticHeart | April 28, 2009

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Summer vacation with a family, especially if it is a large one, can be quite expensive. Good planning and hard work can pay off in the form of big savings for all your travel expenses. Savings strategies are endless. Three of these will be elaboraed on below.

Save on Airfare: Trust a Travel Agent

A lot of families discard flying because they think that the cost is way out of their price range. Airfare really can cost a lot, especially when you do not know where the best deals are. But you can also find some good deals if you know where to look. Who know better where to look than a travel agent?

A growing number of travelers are using the internet to make travel arrangements. An experienced travel agent is a plus when you need to get airfare at a really low price. Most experienced travel agents understand the industry and how it operates. They are insiders. They know the best day of the week to search. They even know the hour of the day that will reap the best deals.

It is amazing how a person will spend several hours searching for a good deal and get excited about saving $50 to $100. What value would you give for your time? A travel agent will cost you nothing since he or she is paid by the airline company. Take advantage of such a knowledgeable resource and reap the reward of flying cheap.

Save on Lodging: Check Out Alternative Accommodations

What types of accommodations come to your mind when you think of lodging? The majority think of hotels and resorts. The truth is there are numerous other options available, many of which are quite inexpensive and some, even, free. Yes, there are places you can stay for free. Ok. There is a cost but it's not monetary.

For example, you could stay with friends or relatives. Give preference to those with whom you maintain some kind of contact even if irregular. Ask a simple question to find out what your friend or relative thinks of the idea. Say something like "What would you think about us coming to visit for a few days?" You want to verify that your future host is aware that you plan to stay in his or her home. You can add, "When you get tired of us, you can ask us to leave.”

Another “free” accommodation is a home exchange. You stay in home located in the destination of your choice. That homeowner stays in your home. This industry has grown tremendously in the last several years. Some home exchange websites have tens of thousands of home available all over the world.

Additional lodging options that cost little include camp sites, hostels and dorm rooms. Dorm room stay is organized by some universities for periods of the year when there are few or no students on campus. Keep your mind open and you can find some excellent alternatives for inexpensive lodging.

Save Money on Food: Prepare Your Own

Extreme methods might include fasting a few days during vacation or deciding to do a juice diet during this time. Of course, your family might not find this too enjoyable. There are some easier ways to save on food without asking your family to skip a few meals.

One of the best ways to save money on food expenses during a vacation is to not eat out. Eating every meal at restaurants can really add up. Prepare meals yourself and pack your own snacks. Create a meal plan with inexpensive foods but ones your family enjoys. Make sure they are easy to store and transport.

Follow the tips above and you are likely to discover that you can plan a memorable summer vacation with your family for much less than you thought.