Spring break travel can get expensive if you aren?t careful. Here?s how to save money on your trip.
Every year about this time college students and families all over the country get ready to go on spring break. Spring break is usually a time for fun and even travel. I have fond memories of my own spring break adventures during college, and today my son and I make our own memories during spring break.
However, travel can get expensive when you go around a peak time like spring break. If you want to save money on spring break, here are some ideas to have a good time without busting your budget.
Go on a Road Trip
One of my favorite things to do is go on a road trip. My son and I have gone on road trips including to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and San Diego. In college, my friends and I went on and road trip to Disneyland. You can save money when you drive instead fly. On top of that, you get the joy of experiencing more things.
When I go on a road trip, I am careful to use a cash back credit card. A rewards credit card like the Discover it? Chrome card can get you cash back that you can use for future purchases.? With the it Chrome card, you can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. It?s the perfect card for a road trip.
Volunteer
One way to enjoy discounted travel to a different location is to volunteer. You usually still have to pay to go on a volunteer trip, but you might see a travel discount because of your large group. In many cases, if you go on a volunteer trip with an organization, there are fundraising options and scholarships available. This is especially true if you go through a school organization.
Not only can you save money on spring break when you volunteer in this manner, but you can feel good about giving back. It?s one way to turn your spring break into a fulfilling and purposeful event.
Staycation
If you really want to save money on spring break, consider a staycation. I ended up with a staycation this year on accident. I broke my wrist and my doctor told me I couldn?t follow through with my spring break road trip to Arizona. So, instead of spending money on a road trip, my son and I stayed home and relaxed.
Of course, spring break isn?t spring break unless you do something fun.? We made it a point to go see a movie and to go out to eat at least once. We also vegged out on the couch a lot and watched movies and created homemade milkshakes. It wasn?t what we had planned, but we still had a lot of fun.
Look for Promos and Free Activities
When you do travel, a good way to save money on spring break is to look for promos for entry activities. When my son and I went to San Diego, we found free passes to Legoland and a special discount on a whale watching. I also use loyalty points and credit card rewards to pay for hotel rooms and get discounts on rental cars.
Check out the towns you plan to visit for information about free activities. You might be surprised what is offered in many cities and towns in terms of local events, fairs, and other activities. I also wanted to check with LivingSocial and Groupon in the local area ahead of my visit. It?s a good way to get discounted activities, as well as finding restaurant specials for food.
Your spring break doesn?t have to be expensive. With a little planning and a desire to have fun, you can save money on spring break and make amazing memories.
Disclosure: This blog post was written as part of a sponsored program for Discover Financial Services. All views expressed are entirely my own, and were not influenced or directed by Discover Financial Services.
