Vacation for Less with Smart Planning

Vacation season is just around the corner. Even if you have budgeted for your vacation, here are three steps you can take to make sure you aren’t spending more than you’d prepared for on your getaway.

1. Lower your vacation costs when you book.

There are three main ways to accomplish this:

· Check flight costs regularly for fluctuations in price.

· Consider hotel alternatives.

· Cash in credit card rewards and airline mileage points.

Any one of these on its own can substantially lower the cost of getting away, but with a little flexibility, your next vacation can be more affordable than you might have imagined.

Keep an eye on flights and, if possible, keep your options open. Flight costs can vary greatly week by week, but there are several websites that can send you email updates when prices change. You might also consider cashing in credit card rewards or airline miles for free or cheap tickets. If you’re not tied to staying in a hotel, you might even consider housing alternatives like Airbnb, where users rent out rooms, apartments and even houses to travelers.

2. Watch your incidentals.

Even after tickets have been purchased and rooms have been booked, there are still additional expenses to be considered. You should have a set spending amount for your vacation and discuss it with your family. This is a great way to educate kids on how to stick to a budget. Allow them to be a part of the discussion, share the amount of money available to spend on vacation, and decide as a family how to split it up. Maybe offer them a set dollar amount that they can spend on souvenirs, and when it’s gone, it’s gone!

Also remember how costs for bottled water and snacks can add up. Hit the grocery store to stock up on non-perishables and consider eating a quick breakfast in your hote room if it doesn’t offer a free breakfast.

3. Plan your next vacation early for maximum budgeting.

You don’t have to fret your vacation is over. In fact, the best time to start planning your next vacation is as soon as you return from your most recent one.

That’s because when it comes to saving, it never hurts to start early. By starting to save as soon as possible, you can put away small amounts at a time and greatly reduce the risk of not having enough for your vacation after it’s too late to make any large contributions. If possible, open a dedicated savings account to keep all your “trip money” in one spot, where you’re not tempted to withdraw it for other expenses throughout the year.

Get the whole family involved in saving for vacation. Pocket change adds up over the course of a few months, and even the smallest savers can make contributions to their piggy banks. Find money anywhere you can; for example don’t forget that yard sales and Craigslist or eBay can also be a great way to get rid of unused possessions and turn them into vacation money.

Vacations are much more fun when you’re not worried about the impending bills. Careful planning allows you to get away – worry free.

Leo Palana manages the Mercer Island branch.