How to Enjoy a Stress and Debt Free Vacation

Even though summer is wrapping up, we're still planning a few trips and getaways before the year is over. 

Getting away can be refreshing and if you're a parent, a wonderful chance to spend some time with your kids.  

One of the main headaches with vacations is keeping them affordable. Depending on where you're going or what you're doing, costs can snowball quickly. 

It doesn't have to be that way. You can have it all - a fun time, relaxation, and no debt. Here are some tips that have helped us. 

Plan Ahead

While you can find some fantastic last minute deals, in most cases it pays to work out the details in advance of your next trip. 

Usually for a trip, you have to consider: 

• Where you're going to stay 
• How you're getting there (car, plan, train, or bus)
• food
• activities
• souvenirs

Doing a quick search (don't reserve just yet!) on travel sites can give you a ballpark figure for how much you need to save for your vacation. 

Stash Your Cash

Now that you know about how much to save, it's time to start setting up the transfers. We keep ours in our joint savings, but you might want to have a dedicated fund. 

Either way is fine, just make sure you keep your money in savings and not checking. 

• You'll be less tempted to touch it than if it was in your regular checking account. 
• You'll be more likely to build your savings with a higher interest rate.

Scoring the Best Deals 

We love to hunt and bid on our hotels, rental cars, and plane tickets. We've managed to get some great deals by starting low (but reasonable) and slowly working our way up until we get our offer accepted. 

Sites like Priceline give you some information on winning bids, but there are also specialized forums of fellow travelers  who share their deals. 

We've also saved by going beyond hotels and exploring options like AirBnb. We got a fantastic deal on a riverfront condo in Wilmington for one of our anniversaries. 

Eat Like a Local

We love trying different places, but we hate to drain our wallets. To keep things in check, we ask around to see what the local spots are and find out about lunch specials. Often the portion is more than enough and we can enjoy new dishes at a fraction of the dinner price. 

We also pick up groceries for snacks and drinks, which can add up, especially if you have little ones. 

Check Before You Get Travel Insurance

Before you sign up for travel insurance, call up your credit card company (if you used it for reservations) and see if you already have it through them. 

You'll be surprised at some of the protections and services that come with being a card holder. (Just make sure you pay your credit card each month to avoid a dragging balance!)

Your Thoughts on Stress and Debt Free Vacations

Pick and choose which tips fits your personality. Even if you use one or two, you should be able to save money and avoid depending on credit cards to fund your next trip. 

I'd love to hear from you -how many vacations do you take a year? What's been your favorite getaways?