Keep Your Summer Vacation Frugal
Posted on June 12th, 2008 by TheHappyHousewife
Keep Your Summer Vacation Frugal
With the ridiculous price of gas, our summer travel plans are becoming more and more frugal by the day. My wife and I have a couple weekend getaways planned for us and the kids. Our vacation planning got me thinking of some of the more frugal things we do to keep our costs as low as possible without sacrificing fun. Here are a few of our favorites, followed by some coupons that can hopefully help you save some money on your summer vacation plans.
~ Stay With Friends If Possible - Avoid hotels all together, if possible, and stay with family and friends when on vacation. We typically will take our hosts our for dinner to thank them for their hospitality. My wife and I make sure to reciprocate the offer by inviting out of town friends to stay with us for a long weekend during the summer.
~ Always Negotiate The Price - If you are going to be booking airfare or a hotel room, make sure to ask if they have any unadvertised specials. Also ask if they have a AAA or AARP rate if you belong to those organizations. With the struggling economy, they want your business really bad, so remember you are in the driver’s seat and should negotiate the best rate possible. I have had a lot of success doing this. Getting things like free breakfast at hotels and discounted rates on airfare.
~ Book Far In Advance - This one is fairly obvious. If you try to book vacation plans for next weekend you are going to pay A TON of money. Plan out your summer vacation early so you can book early and get the best rates possible.
~ Stay Midweek if Possible - With kids out of school, try to travel during the week, as I have noticed that hotels and airfare are typically quite a bit cheaper.
Now on to save travel and luggage coupons that you can hopefully take advantage of. See ya next week!
Expedia.com
Coupon Code: None Needed
Expiration: 6/15/08
See Additional: Expedia Online Coupons
Orbitz.com
Coupon Code: SUMMERFAN
Expires: 7/31/08
See Additional: Orbitz Online Coupons
Priceline.com
Coupon Code: None Needed
Expiration: 6/30/08
See Additional: Priceline Online Coupons
CheapTickets.com
Coupon Code: SUNSALE50
Expiration: 7/06/08
See Additional: Cheap Tickets Online Coupons
Luggage Online.com
Coupon Code: LSGEN3
Expiration: 6/30/08
See Additional: Luggage Online Coupons
eBags.com
Filed under: Frugal living, Guest Posts, Kids
Good tips!! We also take our own food on vacas. Like sandwich stuff and poptarts, and only eat out once a day or less, if possible. We aren’t going on any real vacas this year though
:-p But its ok!
We’re saving on our late summer vacation by using our “PCS” as an opportunity to see the country. We’re already getting mileage for our cars as well as DitY money for the weight we are carrying. We’re staying where breakfast is free and there are pools for the kids. We also get per-diem for the allowable travel time. For all of you military families, don’t forget to make the most of your moves. Getting there is part of the ADVENTURE!!