How to have a great summer family vacation

Summer's coming! Here are some simple tips to enjoying your summer vacation.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   brainstorm

   BRAINSTORM EVERYTHING YOUR FAMILY COULD POSSIBLY DO. We make a list of events at the beginning of the summer. No matter how outrageous, write them down. You can always delete them later.

2. 
    
   budget

   DEVELOP A SUMMER BUDGET. We think about our brainstormed list and cancel the items we simply can't afford. That trip to Australia may have to wait a few years!

3. 
    
   over planning

   DON'T PACK OUT THE CALENDAR. You should rarely plan too much in one day or one week. We make it a rule to do, on average, three events per week.

4. 
    
   pre-planning

   PRE-PLAN THE EVENTS. Look at the calendar and plan ahead. Our family does day trips out of town during the week and local jaunts on weekends. It's cheaper that way.

Tips & Warnings

• always involve your kids.
• allow them to make some of the decisions