Are you fantasizing about your perfect family trip? You can get the thought from your mind and make it real, even if your budget is tight. And no, you’re not limited to the usual cheap motel staycation. You can cut unnecessary costs with creativity, meticulous planning, and organization without losing out on the fun. Here are a few ideas you can implement for arranging a family excursion trip on a budget. Feel free to come up with extra ideas; the more savings, the better!
Have a Friend or Family Member Watch Your Pets
According to Forbes, 67% of U.S. families, 87.9 million homes, have pets. Pooches are the most prevalent pet in the US, with more than 66.1 million U.S. households having a dog or two. Cats are next in line, with 47.5 million homes having different cat species. It’s possible to take your pet on vacation, but traveling with an animal can be as expensive as leaving it with a sitter or kennel.
MetLife Pet Insurance reports that kennels and pet boarding services cost between $84 and $250 daily. That’s a lot of money you don’t have to spend if you leave your pet at a friend’s or family member’s home. You’ll be sure they’re loved and cared for while away on your trip without spending anything.
Take a Road Trip to a Nearby City
Another great way to have a vacation on a tight budget is to make a road trip to a nearby city you’ve probably never been to. You can use your car and avoid plane tickets and expensive car hire. However, ensure your car is in good condition before beginning your journey. A car breakdown would be such a bummer! The Armory Life asserts that a parkerized finish increases a component of steel’s resistance to scratches, nicks, and corrosion.
High humidity can cause damage to the metal parts of your car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) prescribes checking the levels of your car engine oil, transmission fluids, and windshield washer fluid to see if they need topping up before embarking on a long drive. Needing to fix your car while on vacation can cost a lot, so you’d rather take all the precautionary measures to avoid car trouble.
Go Camping
Go camping! Camping is a versatile idea you can customize to your family’s tastes and preferences. It’s fun, engaging, and affordable. You can do countless activities, such as bird watching, campfire stories, hiking, swimming, canoeing or kayaking, photographing nature, cave tours, organizing a scavenger hunt, riding bikes, fishing, and tasting smores. And guess what? All these activities are free. You don’t have to pay anyone or buy a ticket to enjoy peace and quiet.
Have you ever visited the emergency room while on vacation? Well, it happens a lot! People on a trip get sick for various reasons; food poisoning and allergic reactions are the most common ailments. Although camping is a brilliant alternative to paying hundreds of dollars to sleep in hotel rooms, being ‘outside’ can trigger your allergies and cause immense discomfort. You’ll probably have to spend money on seeing a doctor and purchasing medication.
The CDC reports that 25% of Americans have seasonal allergies. Since you’re all about saving money, adopt the ‘prevention is better than cure’ philosophy. Carry your allergy medication if you plan to spend time outdoors, hiking, fishing, swimming, or simply being outdoors. And don’t forget to carry some garbage bags to put the trash in after you’re done camping. It’s always decent to leave the campsite as clean as you found it, if not cleaner.
While cleaning, put recyclable waste separately. According to Reader’s Digest, paper is among one of the most recycled materials. So, segregate and drop the garbage in appropriate recycling bins. Going on a family trip is a great way to break away from the monotony of life. If you’ve been worrying about affording it, list how to make a trip without breaking the bank. Start with the above ideas, and then add your own. Enjoy your trip! It’s coming soon.