My family and I just recently returned from a week at the beach. We had an awesome time – and we even figured out some simple ways to save money while on vacation.
Check online for attraction discounts, coupons, and codes. Our three kids like putt-putt and the water-park. A simple online search, and I found coupons for both attractions. We saved 50% on the putt-putt – and 60% at the water-park!
Side note – By visiting the water-park’s website, we were able to better plan our visit. We avoided a particularly busy day at the park – and the kids were able to ride the slides without waiting in super-long lines.
Take beach toys with you – or improvise! We love the beach, and our youngest really likes to dig in the sand. I packed several buckets – and a really sturdy plastic spade – in our van. She loved being able to make sand castles, in varying sizes, and the spade was big enough to really move the sand.
Buy groceries at home. This one is huge. The grocery store near the condominium we rented is convenient – but pricey. We only buy perishable items from that grocery store, and buy the non-perishables before we leave.
Check gasoline prices and plan accordingly. We purchased three tanks of gas while on vacation. I used a couple of the apps mentioned here – and was able to save a few bucks. (Prices in neighboring states can vary. Check before you cross state lines. You may save a few bucks by making purchases before or after crossing.)
Eat in – and search for restaurant coupons. Here’s what works for us – we eat breakfast and lunch at the condo – and then go out for supper. Before visiting any restaurant, we’ll search its website, and check for coupons or codes. We’re all pretty picky eaters – but this year, we managed to find one restaurant that we all agreed upon – and the kids ate for free! Pretty cool.
Visit the local recreational facilities or state parks. In the city where we vacation, there are dozens of local parks – each with a walking track, tennis court, and playground. Our kids love exploring new spaces – and these are free!
Check online for a booking discount. I almost forgot this one – and it saved us the most money! Before we booked, I searched online for a discount code – and managed to save 20% off the cost of our reservation!
These are just a few, simple ways to save money while on vacation. To be honest – a vacation will always be a bit of splurge – so it’s important to save money, even while relaxing and enjoying ourselves. Be blessed.