Family Vacations: Restful for All, Including the Wallet
Staycation or Away-Cation, Learn to Relax the Cost
My kids love to pitch a tent and sleep out in the back yard. It is a full-family project. We put up Tiki torches and barbecue. We play Monopoly, and then the kids tell spooky stories. We love it.
— Iris Duran, a mother of three in Norwalk, California
While draining her bank account into the gas tank of the family wagon, a mother of three hears the Clash on her car radio and ponders the question of the summer family vacation: Should we stay or should we go?
The answer, if she plans well and seeks bargains, is “Yes.”
Staycation Is All I Ever Wanted
A staycation involves resting and playing like it’s vacation without leaving town. Rising gas prices have made that a popular option.
Janin and Marc Spoor, worn out from the stress of work, realized they needed a break. But limited in both time and money, they started a tradition – staying at a nearby luxury resort for an overnighter.
“The best part of a staycation is you are already saving money on travel, so you can splurge on a really nice hotel,” said Janin Spoor, who found a reduced hotel rate. “We stayed at the Four Seasons. You spend on a luxury stay, which comes with its own perks, like yoga classes, indoor pool, kids club, free parking, free meals for kids, etc. It all depends on the hotel.”
She said the only thing missing from taking a “real” vacation was the travel hassle and long hours, but with two young daughters, that was a plus.
“We had a great time. We didn't have to spend a long time in the car, so we weren't tired when we got to the hotel. We headed straight to the indoor pool and started having fun right away,” Spoor said.
Once they were done splashing in the pool they took in the sights around the hotel. Although it was close to home, they had not explored the area before.
“It really felt like we were somewhere else,” she said, but with a new baby, being 20 minutes from home was a distinct advantage.
As it turned out, the hotel was more than prepared.
“It was great. The hotel brought up a crib, baby shampoo, diapers, wipes and a diaper pail,” Spoor said.
If a night at a luxury hotel is out of the budget, family moments can also be created in the back yard.
“My kids love to pitch a tent and sleep out there. It is a full-family project. We put up tiki torches and barbecue. We play Monopoly and then the kids tell spooky stories,” said Iris Duran, mother of three and an instructional technician at AdvancePath Academy. “We love it.”
It seems that parents often equate the cost of a vacation with the entertainment and educational value. But, as the Spoors and Durans have found, the kids just want to have fun.
“Since you won't be spending money on airfare and hotel, splurge on fun,” said Jamie Pearson, publisher of the family travel website Travel Savvy Mom. “Rent an inflatable water slide, go to the theater or buy really good seats to a Major League Baseball game.”
Pay Attention, Not Dollars
Listening to what family members really want out of their vacations can yield better -- and less expensive -- results.
“One of our readers told us she felt like they needed to take their family on a cruise,” said Nancy Schretter, managing editor for the Family Travel Network. “When they sat down and talked as a family, they found out what the girls really wanted was going to the beach, collecting shells, seeing wildlife and having fun together. They ended up driving to nearby Chincoteague [Virginia] where they could stay at an inexpensive motel, collect shells on the beaches and see the wild ponies there. The kids loved it and it was one of their most memorable family vacations.”
If you plan to venture away from home this summer, a little research can help you stretch your budget.
“It's no secret hotels offering kitchenettes or free breakfasts are great for families and can help save a bundle,” said Beth Blair, co-founder of the family travel website TheVacationGals.com. "They are like a travel goldmine for families.”
A destination’s convention and visitor’s bureau is also a good resource for bargains while a vacation rental home is another avenue to savings.
“Our family stayed in a three-bedroom rental home in a popular vacation area for $100 per night," Schretter said. "The average resort rental rate in the area was $275 per night for one room.”
Money Can't Buy Me Fun
Planning the family vacation is largely about extending the dollar, so look for promotional deals. Duran scours everything from soda cans to the Internet for interesting getaways.
“Sometimes the best family vacations are the least expensive,” said Duran, adding she'd rather relax than worry about money. “We go to free museums and pack picnic lunches, go rock hunting on mountain trails, go to the beach or go camping by the river.”
The Durans also look to save money on out-of-town trips by staying with family who live in interesting cities or have a swimming pool.
“Just staying somewhere different and getting to go swimming is fun for our kids,” Duran said.
Whether your family vacation involves the ocean, a luxury hotel or a blow-up pool in the back yard, the best way to keep your children smiling and your wallet fat is to plan ahead and be flexible.
In town or out, you will still make fun memories with your family this summer.
- Photo Credit Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images
