As everyone knows, vacation is never cheap. My wife’s grandparents live in the Phoenix area and every year we go for a visit during our kids Spring Break. We get away from the Midwest winter just when we need it the most, see a little family, and catch a Spring Training game or two! The only issue is that while we might leave some snow behind, we tend to also also leave a little cash behind as well. In order to stay on a travel budget we look for ways to save on three major categories…food, lodging and entertainment.
Food
Probably the easiest but least convenient area for savings. Like most people who have lived in the West but then moved East…the very first thing you have to do when arriving in the western part of the US is stop by the nearest In-N-Out . I have to say…guilty on that front. However, once the quick fix is done, then it is on to the grocery store. Here are the staples that I get depending upon the length of stay and if we have a fridge:
- Bread
- Jelly
- Granola Bars
- Oatmeal Packets – Sometimes will buy a large container if there for a while
- Chips
- Bottles of Water
- Cheap Foam Cooler and some Ice
- Milk
- Cheese
- Summer Sausage
- VRBO or Other Home Rental? – Frozen Pizza, Eggs
- Paper plates / storage bags / plastic ware
The trick here is to run out of food so nothing has to get tossed and have plenty of dry goods. On our last day in Phoenix I we had 4 different meals for 4 different kids, everything from Microwave Mac N’ Cheese to a frozen pizza to a leftover bowl of cereal. We were very tempted to swing through In-N-Out for a going away treat, but we would have dropped $30 plus wasted what we had leftover.
Lodging
This is a little tougher. The easiest is to stay with family. Free entertainment for the kids, extra time with those you love after the kids are cashed out, and usually a fridge to cover some of the basics above. However, if you don’t have that option, I have enjoyed may rental homes rather than hotels. Not always a ton cheaper, but usually you can find some good amenities. Another option is camping…good family time and usually you can find some good facilities.
Entertainment
I love myself a good trip to Disney or LEGOLAND. Kids love it and I do to. I certainly would never say to keep away from these places unless it simply doesn’t fit into the budget. However, if you put money aside and want to spend on a trip like this…have at it! That said, most communities have great free entertainment. Take just a few minutes before your trip to do a quick search online. Lots of options will probably just pop up. There are also parks, concerts or lakes. This goes along nicely with point number 1…food. When you are at the grocery store, take a moment to look at the local magazine rack. There is usually a section in a magazine dedicated to events by date. Finally, there is usually a human checking you out that is from the area…take advantage of that and ask them what they recommend to do in the area. Most likely you will find some hidden gems.
I want everyone to make the most out of their vacation. It should be a time to relax and spend time away from the stresses of work, enjoy some time alone, or pack it full of family. While it might seem the least stressful thing to do on vacation is eat out every meal, find a convenient hotel and hit the big attractions, all of that comes due at some point! A little planning goes a long way toward no surprises when the bill arrives.
Practically Wealthy 