How can the Smith Family be going on vacation to Europe?!.. They have about the same income as we do and we certainly can't afford to stay in a hotel for 10 days with two kids?!
Chances are the Smith Family has done A LOT of researching and sacrificed other things to be able to go.
It really comes down to how much you want to go. There are ways to travel without it costing as much as a year of college! The key is to do your homework and know what you are willing to do and more importantly go without to make it happen.
The biggest mistake is to just book a trip without having done your research first. You don't even have to order the travel book from Amazon.. chances are that your local library has the newest edition for whatever place you're looking for and you can hold onto it for a while if you remember to renew it! Just remember that it is meant as a guide and should not dictate what you do and where you choose to go.
Next up is the online research.
This can be a very time consuming task BUT it can really make the difference.
Find out what options you have for travel,
Is it cheaper to fly out of a different airport? Would it be worth driving 50 miles further than your closest airport? (Also think about if someone drop you off so you avoid paying for the car to be parked in the airport for a long time.)
What options do you have for accommodations?
Maybe a smaller hotel without all the (often) unnecessary luxuries would save you money. Or consider looking into private rentals. In particular when you are traveling with children is this an option to consider. Being able to relax in a more informal setting can make the vacation more enjoyable. Not having to worry about getting everyone looking presentable just to have breakfast can be priceless..especially if you like to just sit and drink your coffee in the morning by yourself!! Try to make room for some simple non-perishable foods in your luggage. Trust me, you will be happy you did. A few of the favorite snacks can be a life saver when everyone is starting to get cranky or when you start realizing that your youngest child does not like anything you have ordered for them to eat yet!!
Find out what there is to do there and what it costs.
Not everything is worth your time and money! Decide what is most important for you and make a list of must-sees or must-dos. Check to see if you have to reserve spots in advance. Some things are too popular to just be able to show up and get admission.
It still seems like this will be over your vacation budget?
Perhaps, you can make it a savings goal for the next year or the year after that.
That might just be what the Smith Family did!! ;-)
Check out Rick Steves' travel tips on a budget below.
Bon Voyage!
Thrifty 50 Travel Tips
Chances are the Smith Family has done A LOT of researching and sacrificed other things to be able to go.
It really comes down to how much you want to go. There are ways to travel without it costing as much as a year of college! The key is to do your homework and know what you are willing to do and more importantly go without to make it happen.
The biggest mistake is to just book a trip without having done your research first. You don't even have to order the travel book from Amazon.. chances are that your local library has the newest edition for whatever place you're looking for and you can hold onto it for a while if you remember to renew it! Just remember that it is meant as a guide and should not dictate what you do and where you choose to go.
Next up is the online research.
This can be a very time consuming task BUT it can really make the difference.
Find out what options you have for travel,
Is it cheaper to fly out of a different airport? Would it be worth driving 50 miles further than your closest airport? (Also think about if someone drop you off so you avoid paying for the car to be parked in the airport for a long time.)
What options do you have for accommodations?
Maybe a smaller hotel without all the (often) unnecessary luxuries would save you money. Or consider looking into private rentals. In particular when you are traveling with children is this an option to consider. Being able to relax in a more informal setting can make the vacation more enjoyable. Not having to worry about getting everyone looking presentable just to have breakfast can be priceless..especially if you like to just sit and drink your coffee in the morning by yourself!! Try to make room for some simple non-perishable foods in your luggage. Trust me, you will be happy you did. A few of the favorite snacks can be a life saver when everyone is starting to get cranky or when you start realizing that your youngest child does not like anything you have ordered for them to eat yet!!
Find out what there is to do there and what it costs.
Not everything is worth your time and money! Decide what is most important for you and make a list of must-sees or must-dos. Check to see if you have to reserve spots in advance. Some things are too popular to just be able to show up and get admission.
It still seems like this will be over your vacation budget?
Perhaps, you can make it a savings goal for the next year or the year after that.
That might just be what the Smith Family did!! ;-)
Check out Rick Steves' travel tips on a budget below.
Bon Voyage!
Thrifty 50 Travel Tips