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4 Reasons to Consider an Off-Peak Vacation

Going on a summer vacation is a rite of passage for many American families. After having gone through the winter doldrums, many people eagerly plan out somewhere they'd like to go during the summer to enjoy some sun. In fact, a recent study by AAA revealed that 66 percent of American families planned a summer vacation in 2013, so we can safely assume that number is similar to plans for this year.

There is one problem with that plan, however. Summer is peak travel season for many destinations and thus leaves us at the mercy of businesses in those locations when it comes to pricing. If you're wanting to enjoy a nice trip away but don't want to fight the crowds during the peak travel season, consider some of the following benefits of traveling when most everyone else is staying home. It might even let you go on a longer trip or fit in more activities. Here are four suggestions:

You're Guaranteed to Save Money

As noted above, traveling during peak season is generally going to come with a hefty price tag. A study by American Express indicated that at least 31 percent of families polled were planning on spending at least $1,000 per person on summer vacations. If you have four or five family members, or even more, those costs can add up quickly and make it cost-prohibitive to take the kind of vacation you want.

Hotels and other travel dependent industries know this and they have their own issue: making up for lost revenue during those non-peak times. Of course, this is going to vary based on the chosen destination but you're guaranteed to save money as a result. This will require more homework on your part to determine what the peak times are for where you'd like to go, but the strategy can pay off in the long run and save you money, as well.

You're Going to Have More Options

While going somewhere tropical in the winter is fun and enjoyable, there are many people who want to do the same thing. This tendency may not seem like a problem on the surface, but it can result in having fewer options to select from as many others might be planning their trips for that specific time frame and cause a lack of availability for things like flights and lodging.

If you have flexibility in your travel time, then you'll have more options and lower prices available to you. Having more options might be a challenge on one level as you'll have more destinations to choose from but this can be a good problem. You can spend more time on your research and planning and then max out enjoyment of your vacation while you're away.

You'll Have to Battle Smaller Crowds

If you've been to somewhere like Disneyland during the middle of the summer or the holidays, you know what it's like there. You are battling lines for pretty much anything you want to do, which in turn limits the number of things you can do and thus drives down the level of service you are receiving on your vacation. That's because every other family had the same thought as you did -- it's summer and we go on vacation then.

This is why going off-peak can be a great idea. There are generally going to be fewer people at your destination and thus allow you to enjoy more things. While there might be some popular locations that never really have a down period, many do and visiting them in the offseason can be a great way to have a more enjoyable (and affordable) vacation.

Enjoy Different Parts of Your Destination

There is one problem with going on vacations -- they come to an end at some point. Life must go on and when you go on vacation, you have limited time. As a result, your only option might be to enjoy the thing your destination is known for, or at least priorities the activities that are most important to you and your family.

Going on vacation is something enjoyed by many families, but with a little homework you can save money and have a more memorable trip.

John Schmoll is the founder of Frugal Rules, a finance blog that regularly discusses investing, budgeting and frugal living. He is a father, husband and veteran of the financial services industry who's passionate about helping people find freedom through frugality.



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