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There\u2019s only a month left before my two daughters are on summer break and start asking \u201cMommy, where are we going for vacation?!\u201d Since they are still young doing anything that is a couple hour drive away pleases them.<\/p>\nThere\u2019s only a month left before my two daughters are on summer break and start asking \u201cMommy, where are we going for vacation?!\u201d Since they are still young doing anything that is a couple hour drive away pleases them.<\/p>\n
Because of this we generally take a few days and go down to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky which the whole family loves. We ending having an awesome time that lasts 2-3 days on only a few hundred dollars.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the perfect option for us: close and affordable.<\/p>\n
As my kids get a little older I do plan on expanding the vacations a little further than the next state over which had me wondering what the average American family spends on vacation.<\/p>\n
According to a 2013 American Express survey<\/a> it turns out that vacationers are paying a pretty penny to get away.<\/p>\n The average amount of money spent per person was $1,145 and the average amount per family of four was $4,580.<\/p>\n The top vacation spots were:<\/p>\n Is $4,580 a lot to spend on a family vacation? The answer really depends on who you ask. For me, I just cannot fathom spending that much. If you\u2019re in the same boat here\u2019s how you can make your summer vacation costs come in at much less while still having a great time.<\/p>\n Here are seven ways you can save on or for your vacation costs<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n Use Digit Savings App \u2013<\/strong> Digit is a savings app that will learn your spending habits and pull small amounts of money from your checking into your savings account. \u00a0The theory behind Digit is that it can learn what you can live without and only pulls money from your checking account in such small increments that you won\u2019t notice. Sign up for Digit for free here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Try Credit Card Churning \u2013<\/strong> While I\u2019m normally not one to advocate \u201cchurning\u201d credit cards there can be some huge benefits if you\u2019re an avid traveler or are planning a big vacation. In case you\u2019ve never heard of it the term credit card churning refers to signing up for credit cards just to get the bonus.<\/p>\n If you plan on doing this you need to proceed with extreme caution and carefully execute your plan so that you don\u2019t get yourself in debt or ruin your credit. Here\u2019s a good article<\/a> that goes into more detail on this process.<\/p>\n Use Your Credit Card Rewards \u2013<\/strong> If you\u2019re like me, not willing to churn credit cards for their bonuses, then why not just use credit card rewards? I have one credit card that I charge a little money on each month, pay off in full and accumulate rewards. If you\u2019re in a similar situation you could consider using the same method to help fund part of your vacation.<\/p>\n Stay Close to Home \u2013<\/strong> The closer you to stay to home the less money you\u2019re going to spend in transportation.<\/p>\n Vacation in Off Seasons \u2013<\/strong> If you want to spend the most money possible on your vacation then go during peak season when every other vacationer is going. If you want to save money do the opposite. You can find flights and hotels at a much cheaper price by visiting an attraction at a slower time of the year.<\/p>\n Save on Food \u2013<\/strong> Instead of planning on eating out at every meal find a place to stay where you can prepare at least some of your own food. This can save you a huge amount of money. Then when you go out to eat check for a Groupon first.<\/p>\n\n
How to Save on Summer Vacation Costs<\/h2>\n