For many students in our area, school is officially out for a week and maybe even two. If you didn’t have time or money to make a mini-vacation plan, have no fear. There are still plenty of great last minute Fall Break money saving strategies to employ. Your family will have an awesome trip and there will still be money in the bank for the holidays to come.
Limited Midweek Travel
Not everyone can afford to take an entire week off from work, nor can they afford lodging for that many nights. You’re likely to find better deals on hotels or vacation rentals during the midweek. If you can, travel Tuesday – Thursday to save a few bucks.
Hotel Discount Sites
I’ve long been a fan of Hotwire.com. No matter your favorite deal site, you can make that deal even sweeter by first going through a cash back site like Ebates or a rewards site like Swagbucks first. If you’re nervous about blind booking that Hotwire or Priceline use, check out the handy tool BetterBidding.com, an online forum where other travelers share which specific hotel they landed based on the amenities and area listed. You might be 100% but you’ll have a better guess of where you’re staying. One more tip, try traveling to a hotel dense area. More metropolitan areas will have more beds to fill which drives down rates. When you check in, see if it’s possible to upgrade, too. The worst you can hear is no.
Consider a Vacation Rental or B&B
You may want to skip the hotel altogether and opt for a vacation rental from somewhere like VRBO or Airbnb. Your host might have some flexibility in rates since you’re booking at the last minute. We recently used Airbnb for the first time and LOVED it (thanks Vicki in Fountain Square!). Use my referral link and you can get $35 off your first stay, no matter where you travel. Reach out to a property owner, explain your limited budget and see if they will discount their rates. Most owners would much rather have a guest than let a property sit empty. Again, the worst someone can say is no. It’s worth a try.
Visit the Local Convention or Visitors Bureau
If you’re looking for ways to save money or free fun in or around your destination, be sure to check out the local convention or visitors bureau for community calendars and discounts. In Indianapolis, head to Visit Indy for the free events calendar, coupons, and more! Sites like these also have suggestions for the best attractions for families, local restaurants, and notable historic sites, too.
Pack Food & Drinks from Home
Instead cruising through the drive thru for every meal pack as much food as you can from home. Bring your own reusable bottled water. Pack chips, crackers, nuts, fruit, veggies, and other foods that won’t necessarily need refrigerated. You may even consider packing a slim line Brita pitcher. Hit the grocery store store to buy ready made sandwiches while on the road. Or pack a good old fashioned PBJ.
One last bonus tip, be sure your car is in great shape – that you’ve changed the oil and checked the tires before you hit the road. Not only will you stay out of trouble on the side of the interstate, you’ll also get much better gas mileage.
No matter where you go and what you do, make it your passion to save money on last minute fall break travel!
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
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