Desiring a Summer Vacation but No Budget? {Guest Post}

By Joe Laing, El Monte RV

Summer vacation ought to be a time to make new memories, but what do you do when there’s just no budget for travel? It’s not too late to work out taking a summer vacation, even if you have budgeted nothing towards such a purpose during the year. When you have had all your attention on keeping up with basic expenses of childcare, energy costs rising and some emergency expenses here and there, it was just unrealistic to put money aside for a vacation. However, there is a way to take a family vacation anyway, if you start now. Here are some bright ideas that incorporate the whole family in planning for an economical vacation!

The whole family must be involved, as this strengthens resolve to make it happen. You can have a family meeting and go over vacation ideas. This alone can be quite invigorating! Think about all the things you all love to do together. It could be driving scenic byways and seeing marvelous views; it could be hiking backcountry roads, or perhaps enjoying bright summer sunshine on a sandy beach. As you discuss your ideas with the kids, note down the things they like to do best along with your own favorite outdoor recreational activities. Get excited about going! Plan the dates, and then check out some destinations that will fulfill each family member’s favorites.

One of the best ways to incorporate a lot of different activities and recreation into one vacation is to rent an RV motorhome. You can cover a lot of ground on an RV vacation. And you don’t have to take on the high cost of hotels or motels at each location. RV camping is so much fun as well. Bonding with the family has never been better! You will move from place to place with ease and everyone will be happy with each unique destination. Mom will be able to fix inexpensive but high quality meals in her “own” RV kitchen. No eating out at expensive restaurants.

Now to work out what it will cost. Get a ballpark figure and make that your financial goal for your vacation. You can then draw a huge thermometer on some paper taped together with your ultimate objective for savings written across the top. Divide the thermometer with lines for interval amounts to collect that will reach the final figure. Hang this on the refrigerator or a wall where the entire family can see it. You will color in sections as you save.

Decorate your thermometer with photos of your vacation destinations. You can find photos on the Internet and print them out. This serves to keep the idea strong in everyone’s mind and gives incentive to keep saving.

Now to get the money together and watch the “temperature” on the thermometer rise! So where does this money come from? Here are some ideas:

• Hold a garage sale. Everyone in the family certainly has stuff they don’t want or need anymore. Collect it all together and plan your sale. This is the season for it!
• All left-over pocket change can go into a jar at the end of the day. Adults and kids always have some change and at the end of the day just dump it into the jar. Keep track of the amount so you can fill in the thermometer.
• Work out small ways to save extra money to go into the jar. If you eat out once a week, perhaps forgo this and put what you would have spent into your savings. Make your coffee at home and stop buying it at Starbucks each day and put what you save into the jar.
• Save money on gas. There are apps for smartphones where you can search out the cheapest gas stations in your area. You can even find it on the Internet by searching Google for “cheapest gas prices in (your city).” Whatever you save on gas goes into your vacation account. This adds up fast.

You can come up with other ideas. And all this has additional benefits. Your kids will learn about budgeting and get creative on how to save and reach goals. You will also see ways to save generally, and this always helps when raising a family.

A summer vacation is the ultimate fun for a family, and being able to take some time away from the hustle and bustle makes a big difference in anyone’s life. Some relaxation is great to drain away all the stress and tension of a busy family life. Try these tips and save up for that vacation now.

About the Author: Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals, your nationwide source for RV rentals. El Monte RV also sells used motorhomes through eight different locations across the United States. For more information on purchasing a used motorhome see El Monte RV Used RV Sales.