How to Get The Family Inexpensively

The family vacation just got more expensive. With creeping gas prices for airlines, your ticket to Tahiti could cost you a few hundred dollars extra depending on your family size. However, if you keep in mind that vacation is a state of mind and that you don't have to fly thousands of miles away to "get away from it all", the family vacation can be inexpensive and still full of fun. This article will explain ways to save dollars on a family vacation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A large passenger vehicle
• AAA or Travel Membership
• Groceries
• Local Map

How To Have an Inexpensive Family Vacation

1. Start by looking at local attractions within three or four hours drive. Any drive beyond that can make a family too tired to enjoy the destination. And although it may cost you some gas to get there, driving is still cheaper than flying. Just make sure the local attraction is age appropriate for everyone to have fun. For example, if you want to ride roller coasters but you have children not old enough to ride them with you, one of the adults is always going to be watching the children while the other one rides.
2. Take advantage of travel clubs. If you are going to stay overnight, use places that give membership discounts. Hotels have no real guidelines for room rates so if you have an applicable discount, use one. Travel organizations like AAA can even feature restaurant discounts, car rental savings and more.
3. Perform basic maintenance on your vehicle. Fresh oil and properly inflated tires can make your car drive easier, thus burning less fuel. You are already going to have added weight from bringing people and luggage, so you might as well make the most of the mileage.
4. Pack light and bring only the essentials for your vacation. The more you pack, the more weight you have on your vehicle. Take out anything for your car that you won't need there like your gym bags and any other "work" material that your car is using as storage space. Consider bringing all your lightweight clothes and accessories.
5. Pack food and essentials like medicine and toiletries. Visit the grocery store the night before and buy some food that is easily consumable and can fit in a small cooler. Not having to stop at fast food restaurants will save you money that you can use to buy the "good food" at your vacation destination. Also if you buy your camera batteries in bulk at the grocery store you won't find yourself paying "vacation" prices for those things later on. If possible, pack toiletries in "travel size" so they don't take up too much space.
6. Leave early to avoid traffic. I never understood why my dad did this, but it made much more sense when I had a family of my own. With less traffic to fight, your car can cruise on highway mileage and not stop-and-go mileage. Leaving early also means that for half of the time your kids will be asleep during the vacation trip.
7. Re-fill your gas tank an hour before you arrive. Gas prices typically go up as you get closer to your vacation destination. You'll be happy that you filled up before you got there as opposed to filling up before you leave. You can even check sites online to see how much gas will cost at your vacation destination.

Tips & Warnings

• Cheaper is not always better. Search online for opinions before committing on vacation destinations
• Over inflating tires to gain mileage is very dangerous. Do not do this!