Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 3:20AM ET - U.S. Markets open in 6 hours and 10 minutes.

Laura Rowley Money & Happiness

Laura Rowley, Money & Happiness

Five Ways to Cut Family Vacation Costs

by Laura Rowley

Email this Page IM this StoryBookmark this StoryAdd to your Del.icio.us accountDigg this StoryPrint this Story
Good (360 Ratings)
2.652778/5
Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:00AM

The spike in gas prices had me wondering if my husband, kids, and I should skip our annual summer drive from New Jersey to visit family in Chicago.

In mid-May, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline hit $3.18, three cents higher than the all-time price record set back in 1981, on an inflation-adjusted basis. That means gas alone will cost more than $250 for our trip (see my blog for tips on how to calculate fuel costs).

Instead of cancelling, we decided to look at fuel in a broader perspective and manage our other vacation costs, such as food, lodging, and entertainment.

If you're planning a getaway this summer, here are five ways to save on your travels:

1. Stock the cooler

Gasoline might cost more than $3 a gallon, but do the math and you'll find that a 16-ounce soda from a fast-food joint equates to about $8 a gallon. Moreover, meals on the road tend to be loaded with fat and salt.

Pack a cooler with healthy snacks, such as fruit, baby carrots, cheese sticks, nuts, yogurt, Goldfish crackers, graham crackers, water, and low-fat milk. Pre-portion the snacks ahead of time rather than handing the kids the whole bag.

Easy lunch options include wholegrain bread, lean deli meats and cheeses, and peanut butter and jelly. Or consider pulling off the road and going to a supermarket for lunch, suggests Erik Torkells, editor of Budget Travel.

"Grocery stores are more like food courts now," he says. "You can buy the deli-type stuff and have a picnic. With kids, you go to any restaurant and it's miserably expensive." Pack a blanket or sheet for a picnic, a couple of sets of plastic utensils and plates, and a serrated knife for cutting fruit.

If you do go to a restaurant, make lunch your main meal of the day, split entrees between two people, and store leftovers in your cooler. Pick up a free guide from the state or city's visitors bureau, which usually offers restaurant coupons. If you're staying in a hotel or motel, aim for lodging with a free breakfast buffet, as well as a mini-fridge and microwave in the room.

2. Go all-inclusive at a family camp

My parents took the 10 of us kids on exactly two official vacations in the late 1960s: We drove from Chicago to a family resort called Pennellwood in Berrien Springs, Mich.

I have vivid memories of the rustic cabins, hayrides, campfire sing-alongs, boating on Lake Michigan, and being summoned to communal meals by a cowbell.

Affordable, old-fashioned family camps are still thriving -- and some cost as little as $1,000 a week, including meals. The American Camp Association, which accredits camps, has a web site where you can search for a family camp by location and price. Budget Travel's 2006 list of the 50 best family camps is free online. And you can search for YMCA Camps by state online.

3. Explore the great American outdoors

From North Carolina's Blue Ridge Parkway to California's Los Padres National Forest, there are more than 77,000 reservable recreation facilities in 2,000 locations in the United States managed by different government agencies. You can book your place under the stars at this one-stop reservation site.

Search by location or activities, from fishing and boating to biking and hiking. The map search is particularly helpful. When you click on a site, a description and photo of the facility pops up, with details on public lands, trails, bodies of water, roads, and museums within 20 miles.

You can also use the site to book tickets for specific tours, like New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns or Independence Hall in Philadelphia. (To reserve a private campground, check out ReserveAmerica, a service owned by Ticketmaster.)

Maybe you don't want to sleep in the great outdoors, but explore it by day. Check out American Trails, which offers information on 900 different trails in all 50 states. Also check out the U.S. National Parks and Monuments site and a guide to state parks at the National Association of State Park Directors site.

4. Rent a timeshare or vacation home, or swap for free

Before you book a hotel, consider renting an apartment, home, or timeshare from the owner. Torkells suggests that families start with web sites such as HomeAway, Villas International, or Vacation Rentals by Owner. "It's the best deal out there," he says.

Meanwhile, thousands of timeshare owners list their weeks on sites such as the Timeshare User's Group and RedWeek.com. For the week of July 15, for instance, I found a two-bedroom townhouse on Cape Cod with a fully equipped kitchen, private outdoor patio with grill, and kid-friendly amenities (pool, playground, and tennis courts) for $750 for the week.

Just be sure to ask about maintenance fees and taxes (and compare your deal to local hotel costs on another travel site, such as Hotels.com). You can also bid for timeshares on the auction site Bidshares.

If you're comfortable offering your home to a stranger, you can vacation in their pad for free through a home exchange. Home swaps have been around for decades, but the Internet has made it a breeze to find exactly what you're looking for.

Four well-known sites include HomeExchange.com, HomeLink International, Intervac, and Geenee. The exchanges charge a fee ranging from $90 to $100 for a one-year membership (although at deadline, Geenee was offering a limited-time free membership).

5. Search, and search again, for airfare bargains

Nearly 210 million people are expected to travel globally on U.S. airlines between June and August, according to the Air Transport Association -- a 3 percent hike over the same period last year.

Internet searches have made tracking down bargain airfares easier, but which engine do you use? Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, Bestfares, Kayak, SideStep, and (new for international flights) Vayama are just a few options for bargain-hunters. Torkells says most of these sites have similar techniques, so pick a few favorites and start your search. Booking directly on the airlines' home sites will save you the service charge.

If you've got flexibility, sign up directly with the airlines to receive email alerts on cheap, last-minute fares. Also check out Yapta, a new site that tracks fare changes on specific flights, both before and after you purchase your tickets. Yapta lets you know if the price drops below what you paid, which can mean you're eligible for a refund. (You have to contact the airline directly to get the refund.)

Then hit the road. You never know -- your kids may get more than memories out of your cheap vacation. Earlier this year, when Michael Arndt accepted the Academy Award for best original screenplay for his film "Little Miss Sunshine," he thanked his family for the inspiration: "When I was a kid, my family drove 600 miles in a VW bus with a broken clutch," he said. "It ended up being the funnest things we did together."

Email this Page IM this StoryBookmark this StoryAdd to your Del.icio.us accountDigg this StoryPrint this Story

Rate This story

Good (360 Ratings)
2.5/5
Sign-in to rate!

99 Comments

Showing comments 6-35 of 99<< PreviousNext >>
Sort: first to last

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, June 21, 2007, 1:52PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    While all of these "tips" seem like neat ideas, I don't see how any of them will help me cut family vacation costs (as is implied by the title of the article). A $1,000 family camp still costs $1,000, and you still have to spend $250 (Laura's number) on gas. Renting a timeshare in Cape Cod for $750/week sounds like fun too, but it still looks like I'll be shelling out $750 plus gas and/or airfare. This article would find a more suitable audience on Yahoo! Travel, rather than Yahoo! Finance. I'm actually financially dumber now than when I started reading this "feel-good" article. Thanks for robbing us all of our financial intelligence week after week, Laura. And thank you Yahoo! for keeping her gainfully employed.

  • dave d - Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 7:07PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    And gather wild mushrooms and berries and make a summer salad. It's so good to be frugal.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Tuesday, June 19, 2007, 11:57AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Thank you, I've been waiting for an article like this with everything in one spot. It really covers the bases for me.

  • mbokon - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 10:41PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Liked the article. While the tips were not new, it had a can do spirit and for an uniformed traveler it provided good basics on alternatives to what a majority of travelers do. There is one point missed in calculating vacation cost and not this article. You need to subtract from your vacation cost for the food, gas, utilities you would be consuming if you stayed home and did not take a vacation. You know, doing what you normally do at home. Cost for fuel you use during the week? movie rentals? fast food? Some people skip taking a trip because they add up all the cost as additional cost when in reality only additional miles above what you normally driving should part of the trip for instance for a more true perspective on how it affects your budget. For those who are thrifty when at home, can be almost as thrifty on a trip. . Anyway it got me thinking about taking a short trip (3 to 5 day) away from home. Recently moved to upstate NY from CA and there is alot I haven't seen here. Also first I heard of Yapta and will keep the site in mind for the future if I or family need to fly.

  • Bill A - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 3:12PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    Why is it so obvious a chick wrote this?

  • TazeemB - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 12:55PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    with reference to the yahoo articles, this ones really a waste of time and space as well. it must have been titled "cost effective american vacation'. try bargain with airfare, pack your snack, look not for a hotel but a share house...... am i migerating to africa// going hunt anacondas...it can be summerised as ' going sahara,,,start walking

  • john - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:55AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    When I read articles like these, my stereo types of American travellers are reinforced. I am relieved to read comments that help reverse that. Our family vacations have always been undertaken with cost being a key concern. Plans are made accordingly. After reading her article, I am left to wonder if the author has actually taken a vacation on a tight budget or likes to write tips for those who are unable to afford $10,000 one week adventure tours.

  • Kozmo - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:50AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 3/5

    Funny, reading the comments, there are people complaining "i can't go on vacation for that cost!", people complaining "i never spent that on a vacation, where do you work?". Did you want a book written here? Seems that many of the whiners should get oustide and enjoy some free air and sunshine instead of complaining from their chairs. Yea, there is information that is obvious and some useful links. If you have never been in a seminar, you have to start with some basics. There is much more that could have been included, but this isn't intended to be a 300 page book. I'd like to know where the writer who camps for free goes. Shoot, you can spend $45 at a state park for a family of 5. Camping used to be inexpensive, but no more. Too popular by the all outdoors wannabes. I would like to see a compilation of all the useful links and leave it on the headlines for a week. Not all of us sit in front of the screen for hours. I just happened to catch it by chance and there were a few good links there.

  • Don - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:49AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    In the spirit of Yahoo articles, I offer a great innovation on how to lose weight: eat less and exercise more. What a waste of article space! Talk about stating the obvious. Packing your own snacks is better than buying them on the road? Wow! And at this point, who DOESN'T know about the airfare websites she mentioned? I expected a lot better - not because it was a Yahoo article, which are usually pathetic, but because she mentioned coming from a family with 10 children! Her parents probably would have written a better article on saving money. Here are some better tips to follow for saving money on a family vacation: GO LOCAL - With gasoline at a premium, there is no better reason to stay closer to home. Sleep at home and get to know your nearby attractions. There are probably a lot of nearby state or national parks, gardens, museums and zoos, historical districts, etc. where you live. And let's face it, you've probably never visited them because they're so nearby that you take them for granted. "We can see them any old time." Well the time is now. STICK TOGETHER - Rather than take separate vacations, get the whole family - or several friends' families - together on your vacation. You don't have to be attending a wedding to get a deal on hotel rooms. Usually, all you need is a minimum of 10 rooms booked for 3 days to get a good deal. And even with that minimum booking, hotels will generally throw in a complimentary meeting space where you can all gather, eat, and play games, pending availability. With a big group, you can also get big discounts on having some of your meals catered. Even places like Quiznos, Chick-Fil-A, and other "fast food" type restaurants do it. Any other ideas out there?

  • Andrea M - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:35AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    There were a few good tips in this article, but the prices mentioned are not bargains. For familes on a tight budget, that is not affordable.

  • a - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:32AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    I'd really like to know what the hell you do for a living where you can afford $1,000 for a damn vacation!!! my vacation this year is going to cost me $400 for a week of non stop fun and excitement in the great Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Your idea of a great price is unrealistic for most people. Your article is stupid.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:32AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    Wow, pack a cooler...! I would have never thought about that. Thanks, that is going to save me so much money I can take the family to Disney World now. My whole family thanks you. Great article!

  • Guest - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:31AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    What an interesting article! By the time I'd read (every word) it, I'd made notes for myself, checked out it's suggested websites, and begun to make plans for the future! Thanks for the tips!

  • Kathy - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:30AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Some good info. I would like more info on any affordable US family camps.I have found 1 family camp in VA for less than $600 per week. Very affordable and very fun.

  • Lisa - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:27AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Some good websites but I thought this was for economical vacations. I did appreciate the websites but really needed some info on how to find a good priced vacation. Can we get some info on inexpensive vacations for the real world. Thanks!

  • Trish - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:27AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    I found most of this information outdated and well used before in all publications. One of the cheapest things you can do in a summer getaway is to check into a decent motel or hotel and swim and play right there. Tickets to amusement parks, etc. bring the cost of vacations up. There are lots of free things to do, check them out, with your main costs of meals and hotel. We always bring snacks and drinks along with us. No cost for those items saves an awful lot.

  • sarah - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:24AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 3/5

    Although it is common sense info; the links were helpful.

  • DevonM - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:23AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Thanks for pointing out that you can still go on a fun trip while drastically cutting costs. Sure, I usually eat out every meal and stay in great motels; which is why I almost chose not to go this summer. Thanks for reminding me that there are other options than Go and spend big or Don't Go and save big. Your tips will be used and we are going to have fun. I thought the "sharing a food entree tip was a great one as families often waste a lot of food in restaurants anyway. . Thanks also for the reminder of how much less lunch entrees cost than dinner entrees. Due to circumstances, I am going to be very short on money this summer, but thanks to your encouragement I am still going to take a trip and enjoy it. I made a copy of some of the websites you gave and am saving it in a trip file. The family camp idea sounded fun to me also but this year I'm too low on funds for even that. The Apostle Paul said in Phil 4:12: I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Phil 4:12 (KJV) Shame on the people who have enough money to do all of the things they've always done this summer, for not understanding that others may not be so fortunate and can really benefit from the tips given in this article. They might want to save the article also, for they might be needing it at a later time.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:23AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    Any trip will cost more than what she is talking about. Not a good article by any means

  • Desmond C - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:22AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    Exactly. What family planner doesn't know this already? I assume it's important to reiterate the idea before the summer. I recently just found an outstanding package deal for my girlfriend & I on Expedia.com to Italy. If you're trying to save $ as a family, I would ultimately recommend priceline.com and expedia.com and keep searching it aggressively.

  • Tim - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:22AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 3/5

    the websites were good information

  • raztis - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:20AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    what the heck?! 1000$ 750? for a week? how is this helpful? my family of 8 rarely spent 500$ on a trip total. Im glad this lady thinks 2000$ is saving but most people dont drop that on a vacation, a good deal is a motel for 45$ a night, packed lunces at 5$ a meal, and if you want to camp, bring camping equipment and its free. Show me a weeks vacation for under 400$ and i will rate you higher

  • Amy - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:17AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    Not really helping who did not know this cuz I did !

  • TY - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:14AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    yeah the name is great the article isnt. come up with more innovative ideas if your going to run suggestions like this.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:14AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    I didn't learn anything I didn't already know in this article. I like to think of myself as the average American and $750/week for a Timeshare??...I'm trying to plan a vacation with only $750 or less.

  • PatriciaH - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:13AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    For some of us these are still pretty pricey ideas for a family trip. I'd love to beable to spend $1000 a week for a trip but no way thats happening anytime so! But the food ideas for driving were pretty good.

  • chao-chan - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:10AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    Good title, but not that good the answer.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:10AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    I dont see anything new or innovative here though Im a little confused how it is supposed to be so great to find an all inclusive family camp .."for as little as $1,000" I fail to see how that is a "tip" for saving money although it could be an unusual travel idea.Campers would never pay that much for a week and their meals. National and state parks were not specifically mentioned-and the fact that they are often booked solid months ahead. Failed to mention campsites such as KOA, less rustic but often affordable and less packed solid than the abforementioned parks.

  • Bashioum - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:09AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    All of the articles like this yahoo offers are pretty low quality.

  • Monika M - Saturday, June 16, 2007, 11:08AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Okay so the tips were really lame. I did like the links to the travel sites.

Showing comments 6-35 of 99<< PreviousNext >>
The columns, articles, message board posts and any other features provided on Yahoo! Finance are provided for personal finance and investment information and are not to be construed as investment advice. Under no circumstances does the information in this content represent a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. The views and opinions expressed in an article or column are the author's own and not necessarily those of Yahoo! and there is no implied endorsement by Yahoo! of any advice or trading strategy.

More From Laura Rowley

Money & Happiness

Discover the secrets to financial happiness. Laura's book offers practical tools and positive strategies to create "the good life" in a meaningful way.

More about Money & Happiness

Learn to identify your values, banish debt, start saving, and investing; plus Laura's favorite online resources.

Order your copy of Money & Happiness today and boost your financial well-being!

More from Yahoo! Sources

  • CNN Money
  • Consumer Reports
  • Kiplinger
  • The Motley Fool
  • Business Week
  • Wall Street Journal

Historical chart data and daily updates provided by Commodity Systems, Inc. (CSI). International historical chart data and daily updates provided by Morningstar, Inc. Fundamental company data provided by Capital IQ. Quotes and other information supplied by independent providers identified on the Yahoo! Finance partner page. Quotes are updated automatically, but will be turned off after 25 minutes of inactivity. Quotes are delayed at least 15 minutes. Real-Time continuous streaming quotes are available through our premium service. You may turn streaming quotes on or off. All information provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Neither Yahoo! nor any of independent providers is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein. By accessing the Yahoo! site, you agree not to redistribute the information found therein.

Yahoo! Answers is provided for informational purposes only, and no Q&A is intended for trading or investing purposes. Yahoo! shall not be responsible or liable for the accuracy, usefulness or availability of any Q&A information, and shall not be responsible or liable for any trading or investment decisions based on such information. View Complete Answers Disclaimer.