Family vacations are always a fun opportunity to make new memories as you bond with your kids and partner. Luckily, you can save a couple of dollars while having the time of your life. You just need to find the proper steps that will work for you. 

Explore these budgeting tips to get the best bang for your buck.

1. Achieve Modest Savings

Want to cut back on expenses? It’s good for families to save on some particular necessities for travel while staying comfortable. 

Pack Water and Snacks 

Food and water are going to take a massive chunk of your budget. There might be times when the family is thirsty and you need to buy a whole gallon for everyone to get their fill. To avoid these scenarios, pack snacks and water in advance.

Buying a few chips and treats at the supermarket will be cheaper than buying at gas stations or getting full meals from diners. If you have a reusable water bottle, you can look for water stations to get a refill.

Find Alternative Accommodations

The debate on hotels and property rentals never ends. About 40% of Airbnb customers cite how they get overall value for money when picking their vacation destination. It makes sense, considering a rental has kitchen amenities where you can cook your meals during the vacation.

It can be tempting to book the first hotel room you see, but it’s better to be practical and review alternative accommodations. Check out some vacation rentals and try to calculate whether you’ll save more from staying there instead.

Shop Around for Travel Insurance

Getting travel insurance for the family trip can help you cut financial losses in case of any inconveniences. It’s a critical expense that can’t be skipped, and you can save by shopping around and getting coverage on a great deal.

2. Get Bang For Your Buck

Some people need to remember the importance of flexibility when budgeting. Undertaking the steps in this section can provide the best results for less spending.

Pick a Destination Wisely

The destination can influence all aspects of your travel budget. Pick destinations that mix affordability with fun. Here are a couple of suggestions:

• Washington, D.C.: The country’s capital is a great affordable place for family travel. It has countless free museums and outdoor monuments to explore, and you can easily find affordable hotels outside the city in Maryland or Virginia. 
• Wisconsin: If your kids love water parks, Wisconsin is the place to go. Check a variety of indoor and outdoor pools. You can also arrange a lovely picnic at Lake Geneva or drive to Lake Michigan for a swim.
• Maine: Maine is a cozy state with breathtaking views of the seaside. The state is full of beautiful scenery, so you can spend most of your time enjoying the landscapes and visiting parks for free. 

Schedule Family Trips Off-Season

Families can also budget better for their trips when they schedule off-season vacations. For example, Maine is busiest during June, July and August. Aim for the end of August or early September to beat the crowd and save some cash.

Choose your travel dates wisely, too. Some people like to take advantage of holidays, but flights can be more costly. See if you can book a little earlier on the weekday. Aside from being at your vacation destination on a holiday date, you’ve saved a few dollars.

Keep a Budget Journal

Some parents love to create a scrapbook while they’re on vacation. If you want to save money, have a budget journal. Write down your plans and figure out how much money you can afford to spend. For example, ration your daily budget if you and the kids are out for the week. You can also jot down expenses as they come.

3. Ultimate Financial Saviness

Sometimes, you don’t have to spend much or pay out of pocket to bond with your family. Follow this section to know how you can get crafty with your cash.

Establish a Travel Fund

Some parents spend out-of-pocket for a family vacation, but it can be quite a shock to your bank account. Start a dedicated vacation savings account and deposit cash weekly. 

It’s ideal to start this months before the trip to have an allocated fund for it. A good starting point is to follow the 50/30/20 budget. Put 50% of your income to necessities, 30% to fun spending, and 20% to savings. Break the 30% of fun spending down further to create your travel budget.

When you have a set budget from the start, you can plan your trip around those funds. So if you have a smaller amount to work with, you can choose a more affordable destination from the start. 

Find Free Activities

The best way to budget and save on a family vacation is to look out for free activities. For example, visit museum exhibits without charge or check out city festivals. Parks are great for flying a kite or roaming around. If you are heading to beachy places, make a sand castle or swim in the seaside. Young kids would also love to collect seashells.

Choose Walkable Destinations

Transportation costs can take up space in your budget, from paying to park or calling an Uber. Cut these costs out by choosing a walkable destination. You get to see the city as it is and take your time while saving up money. Plus, walking at least five to six miles a week can prevent arthritis pain in the long run.

For an affordable alternative, rent bikes to go through the terrain. Remember to strap up your little ones to your bicycle or rent bikes with training wheels.

Plan Out Your Family Vacation

Every parent’s budget for a vacation will look different. Take the liberty of choosing which tips to use and how much money you want to save. And above all else, have fun. Take plenty of pictures to savor your time with your family