Travel

(ARA) - Are you looking to embark on a summer family vacation that won’t break the bank? Whether it’s heading to an amusement park or road tripping across the country, there are simple ways to spend within your means by making informed, cost-conscious decisions while on the road. Family budgeting expert Jonni McCoy has some important tips to help families plan and create affordable, memorable and stress-free summer trips.

Put down pricey electronics and entertain the kids creatively.
Nothing makes a trip longer than choruses of “are we there yet?” Instead of buying hand-held games, research and print fun facts and pictures of things that can be found en route to create personalized road trip activity books. Head to the library and check out a radio drama series, audio books and some music that everyone can enjoy, or compete in the classic guessing game, “I Spy”.

The “beaten path” is often more expensive.
As an alternative to pricier popular tourist sites, explore off the beaten path. Making fun stops along the way will keep the clan excited about the trip. Visit www.RoadSideAmerica.com for suggestions to customize any journey. For example, a trip could include a stop at the Meteor Crater in Arizona and dinosaur tracks along the Grand Canyon.

Watch your driving habits to stretch fuel.
Practice a few gasoline-saving tips, such as:
* Replacing dirty or clogged air filters. Clean filters can improve gasoline mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car’s air filter also can protect your engine from impurities.
* Using cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic.
* Avoid idling. When the car idles, you get zero miles per gallon.
* Avoid higher speeds. Gasoline mileage usually decreases when driving over 60 miles per hour.

Save on special attraction tickets.
Don’t pay full price for theme parks and activities. Contact a hotel or resort destination to ask if they sell discount tickets or packages. It’s often possible to purchase discounted tickets on a park’s Web site. For example, a ticket ordered in advance on Disney's Web site could be up to $50 less than one purchased at the gate.

Collect coupons.
The week before your trip, go through the Sunday newspaper and stock up on coupons. Look for grocery stores, tourist attractions and restaurants along the way. At the end of the trip, calculate how much money these coupons actually saved you on your vacation.

Don’t empty your wallet to fill your tank.
Credit cards offer a simple way to pay for things quickly, but using a rebate credit card means earning rewards with every swipe. Consider these savings: The Shell Platinum MasterCard from Citi Cards can earn you 5 percent rebates when filling the tank at Shell and 1 percent rebates on all other purchases you’ll make on the trip. To calculate your potential savings, visit www.877myshell.com.

Keep an eye open for hotel savings.
When planning your trip, frequently check online for specials on hotels. New savings and specials pop up every day. When selecting a hotel, choose one that offers extras geared toward your group’s tastes like a pool, complimentary meals, membership discounts or specials for children. Also, check for local hostels to book a room for your summer vacation clan or share with other travelers.

Pack batch snacks.
Snack costs can rack up fast, so stock a cooler ahead of time with snacks and sodas from discount grocery stores. Pick up inexpensive snacks and beverages in economy sizes rather than individual serving sizes. Pick a park or campsite and enjoy a scenic group picnic, free of charge.

Avoid drive-throughs.
Make meals more fun by stopping at locally owned restaurants. Many home-style restaurants provide early bird specials where larger meals are available at a low cost. Take a break from the main roads for even cheaper meals, such as food at local street festivals.

Courtesy of ARAcontent


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