Spring Break! Students and families exhale a sigh of relief as the days of vacation draw near. However, not everyone can afford a high end excursion. How do you Spring Break when you’re spring broke? I’m so glad you asked. These Spring Break Money Saving Tips will keep the green on the grass and in your checking account.
Use Hotel Discount Sites More Effectively
We’ve booked many a room using Hotwire.com and Priceline. Consumers don’t know the precise location of their hotel but can score a killer deal. A good booking can become great when you use these strategies:
- Use Ebates or Swagbucks to collect cash back or reward points when you click through their shopping portals. You’ll get up to 4% cash back from Ebates on Hotwire and up to 7% on Priceline bookings. Swagbucks offers 1 SB for every $ spent on Hotwire and up to 10 SB for every $ spent on Priceline.
- Keep your eyes peeled on those sites, too. You’ll find coupon codes that can improve your deals.
- I also love the web forum BetterBidding.com where consumers share what hotels they’ve landed on Hotwire and Priceline. Based on comparing amenities, I’ve been able to gauge more effectively which hotel I might be booking.
Call Directly to Book a Hotel to Ask for the Best Deal
If you’d rather to stick with a known destination or overnight stop, consider calling directly to ask for the best rates. Booking online is convenient; however, someone working at the specific hotel may know of discounts or coupons not mentioned on the website.
Opt for VRBO or Airbnb
Renting an apartment, condo, or even an entire home can sometimes be cheaper than a hotel for a week. Plus, you have access to kitchen facilities that can bring down your food costs, too. Check out the listings on Airbnb and VRBO near your destination of choice. Reach out to owners and ask for last minute discounts or if they can work with your specific budget. AND both Swagbucks and Ebates offer deals for VRBO. So again, don’t forget to check out those online shopping portals to stretch your dollar further.
Give Your Car a Check Up
If you’re road tripping it, you’ll want to do a quick vehicular check up before you leave. Get the oil changed. Check tire pressure. Not only will both of these simple tasks lessen the likelihood you’ll break down along the way, you’ll also get better gas mileage as you travel when your car runs at an optimal level.
Stock Up on Snacks Before You Leave
Holy cow, gas station snacks are EXPENSIVE. The mark up is huge on convenience items like these. Stock up on nonperishable treats before you take off on your trip. OR choose to stop at a big box retailer instead of the gas station to buy the goodies you love.
Bring Your Own Water
Hydration is important. You could buy an entire flat of water for what you spend on a single bottle in a hotel, vending machine, or even gas station. If you can, pack reusable water bottles that you can fill along the way. We also love packing a slimline Brita pitcher when we travel.
Plan Your Stops Along the Way
It’s easy to overspend when you don’t have a plan. For this reason, be smart about where you to choose to take breaks for gas, food, and to stretch as you travel. Use a site like Meetways to estimate a half way point. Then do some online research to discover what restaurants, stores, or historical sites you might want to hit. Wandering often leads to settling which can mean spending too much, too.
Choose Grocery Stores Over Restaurants
Hauling through a drive thru makes for a quick stop but you can stretch your dollar further at a grocery store or big box retailer. You can pick up food for a fraction of the price, stretch your legs, and purchase items you might have forgotten (batteries? books? beverages? tooth brush?) for a fraction of the price you’d be forced to pay at a gas station. Many big box stores even have a seating area near the deli where after purchasing a sandwich or salad you can sit and eat.
Plan Using Visitor Websites
When planning your travels, don’t forget to head to the nearest city’s visitor and convention website. I write for Visit Indy where you can find coupons for local destinations, hotel packages, and calendars with free event listings. Most major metropolitan areas and even some smaller cities offer similar sites. Look for CVBs (convention and visitor bureau) associated with your vacation.
You can travel on a tight budget this spring break. Use some creativity, ask questions, hit the Internet, and always search for a coupon code. And ALWAYS pay cash for your trip. A trip taken on credit won’t really be as relaxing as you think!
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, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission.
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