Road trip planning? Some Money-saving tips for a debt-free vacation
We all look forward to our yearly vacation. This year, many of us are a bit more nervous about the vacation expenditures. Gas prices put a damper on how far we’re willing to travel, while air flight ticket prices may make air travel out of the question for a family. So if you’re road trip planning, here are some tips to help take the bite out of a family vacation. You want a vacation that doesn’t send you into debt. Here’s how to make it happen.
First, choose your destination. Keep in mind that the closer to home your vacation spot is, the more you’ll save on fuel. If your heart’s desire is several states away or across the country, calculate the cost of fuel before you begin firming up your plans.
If your vacation destination is distant, consider renting a trailer or RV. Renting a trailer or RV may seem costly, but remember that you can offset your fuel expense with a ready-made hotel traveling with you. If you’re traveling with a bunch of kids, this strategy is smart road trip planning.
The next step in a smart road trip plan is deciding which places and events you want to attend along the way. Figure your costs for tickets, admission fees for parks and your budget for souvenirs.
The time you’ll spend getting to your destination figures into your costs too. If you’ll spend several days driving, include the cost of stopping at mini-marts and traveler’s stops for soda and meals. If you find the cost will be significant, cutting into your sightseeing budget, good road trip planning says, "Stock up and stop less." Bring a cooler and load it up with snacks and beverages. Buy your refills at supermarkets along the way.
Last but not least, invest a few bucks in road maps. You can waste a lot of money getting lost.
Now you’re ready to start financing your trip. One signature of good road trip planning is funding the trip before you start off on your vacation. Take your total estimated cost and divide it by the number of weeks before your departure date. Levy your paycheck by that dollar amount each week and set it aside to fund your vacation.
Now all that’s left to do is to pack your bags and load the kids into the car. That’s smart road trip planning. Your vacation begins debt free!
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