1 – You must decide where you want to travel: the city, state, local attractions you want to see. By doing this you eliminate a lot of stress of the unknown. Some questions that you might want to ask yourself as well as your family: Will you be traveling with other family members or friends? Who will you be visiting when you get there? Will it be possible to stay with someone you know or can you locate an inexpensive hotel? When considering the destination you are traveling to, is it more economical to drive or is flying a smarter choice? Maybe even consider the train or bus. Find out what the cost of travel will be, start setting aside money for this expense.
2 – If you are staying in a hotel, consider sharing the cost. Would it be better to get one room and split the expense? This would help eliminate a huge expense that would otherwise be all your own. If that’s not possible and you are traveling with family or friends make sure you can get rooms that are adjoining or close together on the same floor.
3 – Think about any attractions you want to go to and find out how much they cost. Check out this information with the local Chamber of Commerce, Travel Agents or websites. What seasonal attractions are available when you get there, or any free or low-cost activities you can do. Check out any sight-seeing attractions, local concerts, or things that are specific to that area. Start saving money toward the attractions that you want to go to, as well as any costs of traveling there. Check out the cost of car rentals if this is necessary.
4 – Start saving some money as soon as you decide where you want to go on a vacation. Unless you have a money tree that you have grown in your back yard, or have an inheritance you expect to come through any day now, you will want to be prepared for your trip. Figuring out how much each member of your family could be allotted for personal spending. Working toward that a little at a time can help ease any stress that can occur especially if you wait until the last moment. If any family member is old enough to earn any kind of money, encouraging them to save up helps promote a feeling of pride and accomplishment knowing they have their “own” money to spend. Remember, when budgeting for a trip, plan extra money for any emergencies that might arise.
5 – Make sure if you are driving, you have your car checked out. Doing a simple oil change before you go can save hundreds in the long run. Make sure you have your tires rotated, balanced, and inflated to the proper tire pressure. Doing these things before can save gas, wear and tear on your vehicle, give you peace of mind and help with a stress free trip.
6 – Making a list of things to take, especially if you are driving. Think about taking disposable cameras, books on cd, movies, travel games, etc to keep children entertained. Taking a cooler with fresh healthy snacks, like carrots, celery, nuts, fruit snacks, etc. can help with the cost of food. If traveling with small children, think about what snacks to take to help with any hunger that can occur in between meals.
7 – Creating a travel journal, like using a notebook with pockets to place receipts, jot down thoughts, experiences, scenery, smells, people you meet, will help preserve the memory of the trip for years to come.