It’s summer, and you know what that means – vacation! Summer vacation is a time for fun, laughs, adventures, and new memories. But that doesn’t mean it has to hurt your wallet. Here are five tips on how you can save money and still have fun on your summer vacation:
1. Set a Budget
When planning your summer vacation, one of the first things you should do is set a budget. That will help keep expenses on track – whether you’re traveling alone or with a family. If you’ll be on a family vacation, it’s a good idea to include your kids in the budgeting exercise. That is, rather than buying them all the souvenirs, ice cream cones and other treats they want, give them a daily allowance they can use to buy their own goodies. This not only helps you keep expenses in control, but also teaches your kids the value of money. By the way – Burke & Herbert Bank provides convenient online calculators that can help you plan for your summer adventure or other expenses.
2. Do Your Research and Plan Ahead
Even if it’s only a few weeks before your trip, lock down your plans as soon as possible! The closer you are to your vacation date, the more expensive your trip is likely to be. The sooner you’ve made the big decisions – where you are going, how to get there and where to stay – the sooner you’ll know how much of your vacation budget can go toward activities and entertainment.
3. Find the Deals
There are lots of deals and discounts out there – you just need to do a little bit of research. From hotels to motels, planes to trains, there’s a wide variety of options that can save you money. According to USA TODAY, some great sites to find travel deals and discounts include Travelocity, Airfarewatchdog, Travelzoo, Kayak and Google Flights. If you belong to a wholesale club, check their website for travel, car rental and hotel deals. Groupon is loaded with money-saving offers – check to see what’s available in your destination city. And don’t forget to check for any group discounts that might be available through your employer.
4. Take Advantage of Credit Card Rewards
You may be using a credit card that earns rewards points or other deals and discounts. If you don’t know what your card offers, check your account online, or call your bank or credit card company. Your vacation is the perfect time to use all those points you’ve earned, for example, the points you’ve earned with your Burke & Herbert Bank Rewards Platinum Credit Card. Check it out!
5. Vacation with Friends and Family
Some of the best memories are made when you’re spending time with those close to you. Instead of spending money on a hotel room, consider staying in a rented house and splitting the cost with a group. Plus, with a full kitchen at your disposal, you won’t need to eat out for every meal; that could save you big bucks during the course of your vacation. And, of course, sharing a rented space with friends and family will provide you with priceless memories you’ll have forever.
