How to Save Money on Your Next Family Vacation
/This month, I had the opportunity to sit down, interview-style, with Travel Advisor, Sarah Allen, and get all the secrets on how to save money on your next family vacation. She shares some amaaazzing tips that will help you decide how to choose your destination, the best way to book flights, how timing can play an impact, and more. Keep reading and by the end of this, you’ll be packing your bags!
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L: Sarah - how in the world does a travel addict decide on their destination? Give us all the tips!
S: There are a few things to consider when choosing a travel destination. Time of year and weather may help guide your decision. Would it be too hot to enjoy hiking in Sedona in July? Christmas at Disney is beautiful but it will be very busy so if you don’t like crowds you should go during an off-season time.
You should also consider the age of your children. Are they too young for long hikes? Would they enjoy the museums in a large city? I suggest making a bucket list of all the trips you’d like to take. Then decide how much money you have to put towards travel each year.
Next, plot these ideas in a calendar based upon your budget and life stage.
L: Okay, so once a destination is decided, how far in advance should someone start planning?
S: It really depends on where you are going, how flexible your dates are, and if you need time to save up for your trip. Cruise lines and major theme parks release dates over a year ahead of time and if you book when those dates are released you will have the best chance of booking the resort and room category you are looking for. Prices will likely be the lowest when dates are released and a good Travel Agent will watch for promotions that can be applied to your stay if money can be saved.
If you are traveling at a busy time of year like Christmas or Spring break or even summer break I would suggest booking at least 6 months ahead of time. Trips can be booked last minute but there may not be as many choices if you wait too long.
I have always enjoyed the anticipation of the trip almost as much as the trip itself so we tend to book early. This gives us plenty of time to save up the money we need and plan all of the details!
L: Let’s talk about the specifics: what are the benefits of booking your trip early? Would there ever be a benefit to booking late?
S: There are benefits to booking your trips early. You will have the most choices for accommodations and room categories if you book when dates are released. It is also a great way to save money on trips to places like Disney, Universal, and for cruises. If you book when dates are released you will likely get the best price available. If you use a Travel Agent they will watch for promotions that might save you money and can call in and modify your reservation for you at any time. Booking early also gives you time to save up for your trip, do your research, and anticipate all the fun you will have.
Conversely, you can sometimes find an amazing deal last minute. These don’t leave a lot of time for planning or saving money but if your life situation allows you to pick up and go at any moment it is definitely a budget-friendly way to travel.
L: Speaking of timing, are there certain times of the week or year to avoid OR take advantage of when it comes to airfare? Other secrets on how someone can save dollars on flights?
S: There are a couple of ways to save money on flights. Airlines generally release their flights about 6 months before your trip. I start off looking at sites like Kayak and Google flights to get an idea of what is available and then to the Hopper app to see the best time to book. Setting an alert on these services will let you know when prices drop.
If your dates are flexible you could also use a flexible date search tool and easily find the cheapest days to fly out.
My last tip is to look at all of the area airports. You might be able to fly out of a smaller airport nearby for less money or on a more convenient day. When it comes to booking the flight I suggest to do so directly with the airline.
L: Are there pros and/or cons to using booking sites like Kayak, Expedia, etc.?
S: I love using sites like Expedia and Kayak for research and sometimes they can save you money. It’s a great tool to get an idea of what hotels are available and I love the map feature! With a quick glance, you can discern the hotels with the locations you desire.
There are a few downsides. Often the rates on their hotel rooms are non-refundable. If I learned anything in the last 2 years it's that things don’t always go as planned and lately I am much more comfortable booking a room that I can cancel. Weigh your options and definitely check the cost of booking directly with hotels for the most flexibility.
If you book a flight with any of these third-party sites it is much more complicated to reschedule a canceled or delayed flight. When there is bad weather or staffing issues and 1000’s of people need to rebook, the airlines will rebook the customers who booked directly with them first. This could leave you stuck at an airport longer.
In this current climate, I suggest booking directly with the vendor.
L: What about travel insurance? Do you typically recommend this to your clients?
S: This is a timely question. Pre-covid, my family rarely thought about purchasing travel insurance. Life was fairly predictable and canceling a trip just wasn’t something you heard about very often. Since covid, my family has had to cancel or reschedule a number of trips. Some we had travel insurance for and some we did not.
I am not an insurance agent so my advice before buying a policy would be to read through the details closely. What does it cover? Consider the cancellation policy where you are going before purchasing additional insurance. If they will let you reschedule for another time, maybe you don’t need travel insurance.
Another thing to think about when buying travel insurance is your health and healthcare coverage. Are you older and traveling abroad? Maybe it would be a good idea to get a plan that would cover an unforeseen medical emergency.
L: Cruise vacations are all the hype. Is there value in them? Why would someone choose a cruise for their next vacay?
S: Cruising is a great option for families, couples, or singles to see and experience different cultures from the comfort and elegance of a massive ship. These boats are floating cities with luxurious amenities. The best thing about a cruise is that food and entertainment are included in the price of the cruise and both will be top-notch.
We went on our first cruise after renting a beach house for spring break. Shopping for and cooking 3 meals a day for my family wasn’t quite the vacation I had in mind. Sitting on the beach and watching ship after ship left got us thinking about other ways to vacation. We were surprised at how affordable a cruise was and no cooking!
Drink packages and excursion options will be an additional cost but you could stick to free beverages or you can stay on the ship and enjoy a quiet day to save money. Many ships also offer kids’ clubs and fun activities which will give parents some time to relax kid-free.
L: Okay, SUCH good info on cruises. What about another popular vacation destination - Orlando theme parks? Share with us your top budget-friendly tips!
S: 1. I had a friend help me plan our family’s very first trip to Disney World. I had been many times as a child but my family always stayed nearby with my grandparents and we only did one park per trip. I really didn’t think we could afford to stay on the property for a week. Then she told me about Disney’s value resorts! I had no idea we could stay at a Disney World property for those prices. The value resorts at Disney are not fancy but they are clean and have very fun theming.
2. When we travel to Disney or Universal we always bring simple breakfast foods with us or order groceries to be delivered to our resort. Having a quick, simple breakfast in our rooms saves us money and time. The resorts do have breakfast options available but it is often crowded and the cost of that for a family definitely adds up.
3. Brunch for lunch is a great way to save money on a more expensive meal like character dining. Sometimes we will book a reservation for a late breakfast and consider that our lunch and sit-down meal for the day, choosing a less expensive option for dinner.
4. It’s important to stay hydrated in the Florida sun but buying bottled water in the parks is expensive. Bringing in your own water bottles can save you money. I love the stainless steel Brita filter water bottle because you can fill it with ice and then water from any sink. You can also ask for free water at any quick service or snack location.
5. Souvenirs - set a budget ahead of time and communicate that plan to your kids or let them pick one thing in the parks. Have them save their money ahead of time for other things they may want while you are away. It’s good for your kids to learn the value of money and planning at a young age.
6. Purchase things ahead of time - PLAN AHEAD! Things like ponchos and sunscreen are expensive in the parks. We also buy themed shirts at Target, Kohls, or Amazon for our trip versus in the park.
7. Chase Disney Visa - we have had this card for years and earned 1000’s of Disney dollars to spend in the park. You can also use points toward flights. We have all of our recurring bills on this card and charge all of our purchases throughout the month. Please only consider this option if you plan on paying your full balance each month.
8. Disney gift cards - You can purchase packs of Disney gift cards at warehouse clubs like Sam’s and Costco. This is a great way to save up for your trip as you can use them to pay your balance or in the parks for food and souvenirs. Buying a pack or two a month will ensure you don’t spend that cash on other items. They will usually go on sale around Black Friday and you will be able to purchase them for less than their face value.
L: I’m taking notes! So good. Alright, Sarah, if you had to leave the readers with your TOP 3 tips on how to save money on their next family vacation, what would they be?
S: Number one: Book early with a Travel Agent - not only will you likely get the best price your agent will watch to see if there are any sales and can apply the sale price to your trip. This also gives you lots of time to save and anticipate!
Number two: Travel in the off-season - if you choose to go to Florida in September right after school starts or January when it may be cooler you will find the off-season rates apply. It will also be less busy.
Number three: Drive to your destination if it’s close enough and time allows. Buying airfare for our family of 5 adds up quickly. We look forward to our drive each spring break and even with gas, food, and a hotel stop we still end up saving about $1000 plus then we don’t need a rental car when we get there. A bonus is your kids get to see a lot of places while you are on the road.
L: Last but not least, Sarah: If someone wants to work with you, what does that look like? How can you help them plan their dream vacation?
S: I specialize in Disney trips, Universal trips, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts and have completed certification in each of these areas of expertise. When you book a trip with Fairytale Journeys by Sarah Allen you get my years of experience, planning, services, and support for free. Travel agents are compensated through commissions that hospitality companies include in their packages whether you use a travel agent or not.
We will start the process by talking about what you want your vacation to be like and then I will curate a trip just for you based upon your family's unique budget, wants, and needs. My job is to wade through all of the options, availability, dates, and insider knowledge and present you with choices that work best for you and your family.
Once the trip is booked I help families with the details of the trip, such as transportation, dining plans, theme park information, things to bring, etc. I’ve spent years acquiring this information through travel and research so you don’t have to! Things don’t always go as planned and when you need help on a trip it’s nice to know you have a friend and expert available to help!
Time is money and using a travel agent will not only save you time it will save you from being overwhelmed and frustrated.
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Tips from Leanne:
Check out the latest travel credit cards. Many companies offer incentives for opening a new credit card that could earn you free flights, money off your travels, cashback on gas, and more! Utilize credit wisely by not spending what you don’t have. Bonuses and freebies are great but what’s even better is not getting crushed by the weight of credit card debt.
Another great way to have your money work for you is by utilizing high-interest-earning checking accounts. Think Lake Michigan Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, and others. Right now, you can find some credit unions and banks with checking accounts earning 3-4%. Use those earnings to bump up your vacation savings fund.
Speaking of your vacation savings fund, be intentional about it. Know you want to spend $5,000 on travel each year? Calculate what that equates to on a monthly basis and set it aside each month. This will encourage intentionality and lower the temptation to just “put it on the credit card” without actually having the cash to pay for it.
Have the cash but don’t know where you want to go yet or have longer than a 3-month timespan before you voyage off? Investing in a low-risk fixed-income vehicle might be an option for you. With the potential for rates being greater than your high-interest-earning checking account, this might be the perfect route to make your future vacation dollars work for you in your sleep (literally). Spark your interest? Leanne can chat with you to decide if this is a good move for you.
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Do you have your suitcase out yet? I tried to warn you your travel fever will be ignited by the end of this. Sarah Allen is your new go-to for all things travel. Keep these tips in your back pocket, right next to your passport.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
About Sarah…
Sarah Allen is a Travel Advisor with Fairytale Journeys specializing in Disney vacations, Universal Studios, cruises, and some all-inclusive resorts. Helping families plan a trip that fits their needs and budget is her passion. She loves helping others make lifelong memories with their families. She, of course, loves to travel herself, and sometimes planning trips is as much fun as going on the trip itself.
Married for 22 years, Sarah and her husband have 3 teenagers and 2 Goldendoodles. Her family has been traveling since her kids were very young and she has passed on the love of exploration to them all.
W: https://www.facebook.com/ftjbysarahallen
P: 269-929-0055
About Leanne…
Leanne Rahn is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor working with clients all over the US. If you don’t know what a Fiduciary is, Leanne encourages you to look it up (or even better - check out her website!). She swears you won’t regret it. Women entrepreneurs, newlyweds & engaged couples, and families who have special needs children are Leanne's specialties.
She loves a good glass of merlot, spending time with her hubs and baby boy, and all things Lake Michigan. She could listen to the band Elevation Worship all day long and is a sucker for live music.
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