Planning an Affordable Family
Vacation
With the end of the school year fast approaching,
many families are beginning to plan their summer vacations. Travel expenses
can take a big bite out of your budget, but the Iowa Society of Certified
Public Accountants advises that there are many ways to make your vacation
dollar go further.
Search for deals
Don’t miss out on the many online opportunities to find great bargains. You
can use online travel sites to search for the lowest airfare, hotel rates,
and car rental, as well as entertainment deals. It’s a good idea to check
specific airline sites, too, because they may be advertising specials that
aren’t included on the bargain sites.
Pick the package
Before booking any segment of your trip, check out packages available from
airlines or hotel chains. It’s often possible to find low-priced packages
that include both hotel and airfare, as well as admission to local
attractions. However, remember that packages may not always be the cheapest
deals. Examine the details and make sure that what you’re getting is worth
what you’re paying.
Be flexible
Uncertain exactly where you’d like to go? Then plan your trip around the
best deals available. Sites that specialize in low-cost travel usually
advertise specials to certain locations, as do many airlines. If the
location sounds like somewhere you’d enjoy exploring, you could save a great
deal on your trip.
Choose a destination location
Want to save money during your vacation on gasoline and admission costs for
various attractions? Pick a hotel that has a pool, playground, nearby
hiking, or other on-property activities. In addition, many hotels offer
suites with their own kitchens. While these may cost more than regular
rooms, the savings on restaurants may more than offset the higher price.
Explore the great outdoors
Camping is not only a fun family activity; it’s also a cheaper way to
travel. There are campgrounds and cabins at national and state parks that
offer an inexpensive way to explore these locations. Outdoor vacations are a
great departure from the usual routine and make it possible to get away from
the television and computers. And in many cases, they are much less rustic
than you might imagine. There may be cabins available at some sites, as well
as water and electricity hookups.
In addition, getting in touch with nature may not
be your only option when you camp. Disney World, for example, has camp
grounds that can lower the price of what might otherwise be a fairly pricey
vacation. You may find camp grounds near other theme parks or attractions,
so don’t limit your search to hotels when looking for accommodations.
Head south
If you’ve dreamed of taking a vacation in the Caribbean or Mexico, summer is
a great time to do it. That’s because summer is considered the off season,
and many resorts offer promotions that feature great rates. If you’ve
assumed you couldn’t afford a sunny resort locale, double check to see if
prices are lower than you thought at this time of year.
Consult your CPA
Your local CPA has many great ideas for cutting costs in various aspects of
your life. Turn to him or her for advice on any of your financial needs. To
access “Find a CPA” on the web, go to
www.findanIowaCPA.com.
