Summer vacation is upon us, and finding things to do that the kids will enjoy can get expensive quickly. Luckily, there are plenty of options for cheap summer vacations! We’ve come up with a list of ways to spend a meaningful vacation with the family without breaking the budget or racking up thousands of dollars’ worth of debt.
Our credit counseling advice is to have fun on a budget.
Local vacation
Staying local is one of our favorite options for cheap summer vacations! How many New Yorkers actually visit the Empire State Building, or Bostonians walk the Freedom Trail? You are likely near or in a city with lots of tourist potential that you’ve probably ignored because you are a local. Use this time to visit landmarks and museums in the city that you haven’t seen before. Pay for a sightseeing tour around the city – you and your kids may learn something, while also eliminating room and board costs.
Road trip
With transportation costs so high these days, why not make the trip the vacation itself? Make memories with the kids by plotting out a road trip through your neighboring states – America has a lot to offer on its highways. You can pack your own food and stop at grocery stores to keep food costs low. There are so many beautiful natural resources you can visit in every state, as well as national parks that are even free on holidays. Road trips require a lot of planning, but are worth it in the end. As always, our credit counseling advice is to make budgeting part of the planning.
Camping
Nothing says summer memories like roasted marshmallows and sitting around a campfire with your family. Though camping gear can get expensive, a single investment will give you years of joy. Campgrounds are far cheaper than staying in motels or hotels, and your kids will gain a new appreciation of nature. These are especially memorable cheap summer vacations.
Business trip turned vacation
Do you travel a lot for work? Why not make a trip out of it? Your airfare and hotel is paid for by your employer, so all you need to pay for are your family’s transportation costs. While you work, the family can enjoy the area. You can take some days off before or after your work trip to spend more time with the family, though you’d presumably have to pay for the hotel those days. Even so, the trip will end up much cheaper than if your office wasn’t footing part of the bill.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
