Why You Save Money When You Prep Early for A Family Trip
We all have dreams of lounging on the beach, and then our logical side chimes in with a budget in the thousands. No matter where you go, it can be expensive to take the entire family on vacation. That’s why frugal moms in the know plan and prepare for their trips early. Here are five ways to save money when preparing for a family trip early.
- Save money and budget in advance
When you plan your vacation in advance, you know exactly how much it will cost. This gives you time to budget and saves money to pay for the vacation, so you don’t have to have the expense lingering on your credit card.
- Flight and hotel rates are likely cheaper
When you book early, you can often get the best price. Although there are sometimes last-minute deals to be had, this isn’t usually the case. This is especially true when you’re booking during a popular vacation period. Not only do these times book up, but when space is available, the prices can be exceptionally high. With the help of online booking, you can easily compare flights and book them in advance.
- You can shop for credit card points
Credit card points are notoriously hard to use. But if you have time to create a strategy, you may be able to collect enough usable points to save some significant cash.
First, learn all the details about your points program. Make sure there aren’t any blackout dates when you plan to travel. And if you have to make a certain type of purchase to get points, plan to do that over and over until you’re ready to book. For example, if you get extra points on grocery purchases, use your card whenever you go to the grocery store.
- Avoid expensive snafus
When you plan and book early, you have plenty of time to think things through. We’ve all booked last-minute vacations, where we feel intense pressure and end up getting something wrong. When you book in advance, you have time to double- and triple-check the details with everyone involved before you click the “Book Now” button.
And if you’re taking a road trip, you’ll also have time to plan things like auto maintenance to ensure the trip goes smoothly. You’ll surely get an appointment at the auto service center when you plan a few months in advance. The alternative could mean missing out and getting stuck on the side of the road somewhere.
- Shop for deals on everything
Planning early gives you plenty of time to shop around for deals. Comparison shopping is important when you’re planning a major purchase, and those comparison sites don’t always give you the full picture.
When you comparison shop, it’s best to compare apples to apples. But you can shop for a deal on Priceline, Hotwire, and Kayak and get different airlines and lodging options. As type-A as it sounds, it really helps to create a spreadsheet with your options and pricing. Be sure to add a column for unique features of each lodging option because this can impact your decision too. “Walking distance to the beach” is a major bonus that you may want to pay a little extra for.
Most people don’t like planning vacations because of the cost and planning involved in getting it right. But if you’re going to spend the time and money, you may as well get it right. Plan early to save money.
