How To Take A Budget Family Vacation & Still Have Fun

Did you know you can take a budget family vacation and still have fun? Well, we all know the benefits of taking time to relax and unwind. However, if these vacations are not planned well they may end up causing you financial strain and leave you feeling stressed instead. There are ways you can take a budget family vacation that leaves you feeling refreshed and happy and yet you did not dent your wallet in the process.

I have discovered that if you are intentional and take time to do a few simple things you can have a budget-friendly family vacation and still have the time of your life. Here are some of the things that we as a family do to ensure that we take budget family vacations and still have fun in the process.

# 1. Keep Things Simple

As you begin to think about going on vacation, keep your end in mind. Most probably, what you are looking for is time to relax and make memories with your family. This should be the guiding factor as you think about where to go. Sometimes, in fact, most times what kids want is a change of scenery. With this in mind, cut your coat or in this case your vacation according to your cloth (read budget). It does not mean that each time you go for a vacation you have to go all out and spend big. Save this for special occasions which you can plan for and save for in advance.

# 2. Plan Your Budget Family Vacation In Advance

If you want to save money, avoid last minute decisions. You will be penalized in many ways for this from tickets if you want to fly to accommodation costs. Instead, be organized and plan months in advance. Once you decide on your destination, begin to look out for discounts or deals. These are always there but usually, it is those who are prepared who are able to take advantage of them.

Check out these tips from my friends who are good at planning vacations on how to have a family vacation on a budget. One of the ways we plan in advance as a family is we maintain a bucket list. Every time we hear someone has gone to a destination on our list, we take tips from them and write these down. I cannot even begin to describe how learning from other people has not only enriched our vacations but also saved us some money.

# 3. Get Your Hands Dirty (D.I.Y)

Especially here in Africa, I find that there are still a large number of people who rely on travel agencies to plan their vacations. Whereas there are some benefits in doing this, I find that we save money when we do the work ourselves. There are so many apps and online services like family vacation planning websites which can help you not only plan but also get yourself some discounts on your holiday. So my friend please be patient and D.I.Y your next vacation. You will be amazed at what you are able to accomplish if you just give it a try.

# 4. Have A Set Budget For Your Family Vacation

We have talked a lot on this blog about the benefits of budgeting. Like we said in #1 one of the things of keeping things simple is to live within your means. As you plan your vacation. Work with a budget. This will help you to be intentional about how you plan to spend your days while on vacation. You can plan for some active days and then some low key days where you just stay at your destination and enjoy the free facilities offered.

When planning a family vacation on a budget, keep in mind your overall goal which is to create memories and get to bond as a family. In our case, the times we have just stayed indoors and played board games have generated some good laughter which refreshes us in ways you cannot imagine.

# 5. Always Travel Light

There is no excuse for you to carry extra clothing just in case there is a weather change. Part of your planning for the vacation should involve checking out the weather and determining in advance what to carry. This will also help you avoid having to buy extra clothing when you arrive at your destination.

Another area where you may spend unwanted money is in excess luggage. This is money that is being thrown away and please do not find yourself in this position. Invest in luggage scales and weigh your luggage to avoid these fees. Another way you can ensure that you do not end up with excess luggage is maintaining a wish list. I have shared how I stay organized and maintain a wish list which I use when we travel.

# 6. Always Ask For A Discount

I always say unless you ask, the answer will always be NO. There is nothing wrong with asking for a discount. I recall recently when we traveled with my girlfriends. One of them had her kids with her and when we were going out on an excursion she asked the hotel (Marriot) if they would give her kids some free snacks. They responded in the affirmative and even added some free drinks. This saved her money and all she did was ask.

Do not be afraid to ask for a discount you will never know what is possible unless you try asking for that discount. Besides, in my view discounts allow both parties to register a win.

Finally,

Like I said at the beginning when it comes to vacations keep your end in mind all the time. Unless you have other intentions when you decide to take a vacation focus on the good time you are having and memories being created. It does not mean that all vacations have to involve flying. Sometimes even taking a road trip to the next town can be all the refreshment you need to recharge. Do what is good for your family and fits within your budget. If you have to stay in a place that allows you to cook some of your meals so you save on money for food and are able to enjoy other activities do that. I guarantee you some of these tips will ensure you take a budget family vacation and create memories to cherish. I wish you all restful and memorable vacations.

I would love to know your own tips for taking budget family vacations please share in the comments section.