Financial Journey
(featured column)

Enjoying Vacations without Breaking the Bank 
by Karen Kuebler

The only thing better than taking a nice vacation to refresh the body and spirit, is to come home with more money in your pocket than you initially budgeted for the trip. We all need that time away from the daily grind to balance our lives and regain a fresh perspective. Following are a multitude of ideas to help you save on future trips and vacations:

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~ Meals are a huge expense on trips. Pack snacks, breakfast cereal, cold cuts, bread, etc. to prepare both breakfast and lunch on the road. Even if you are flying to your destination, you can purchase a collapsible cooler and pack in your luggage. Purchase your food at a grocery store once you’ve arrived in town. Depending on how many are in your family, the savings you will realize by preparing these two meals each day will really add up. We sometimes pack soup and other items to heat in the microwave and often go several days on our trips without putting out any money for meals.

~ Take advantage of the free continental breakfasts included at most motels. You’ll find that most places have no objection if you take some fruit and muffins for snacks later in the day. I always ask politely and have never been refused. If you eat out, eat your bigger meals earlier in the day when the prices are lower. My husband and I often split a plate and have plenty of food for a meal. I’ve even asked if I can order from the child’s menu if I’m not very hungry – recently I had a child’s plate at a Mexican restaurant with a cheese melt, Spanish rice and beans, and sopapillas with honey. I was stuffed, and it cost less than McDonalds!

~ Ask the local people in the towns you visit where their favorite places are --unique sites to see, walks to take, favorite economical restaurants, etc. This is the way to really get to know the heart of a town and discover more places that are off the beaten track than your usual tourist traps. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce and ask the same questions. They will often have discount coupons available. 

~ Search internet sites such as Orbitz and Travelocity to compare motel rates. There are terrific bargains available through these sites. Once you have booked your accommodations, call the places to make sure they aren’t offering any other specials that are better than what you’ve booked on line. Sometimes motels have to pay for advertising on the internet and they will give a lower rate if you book directly with them. The internet sites are still worth using, however. Besides offering deep discounts, they provide a lot of information about amenities and often provide pictures of the lodgings.

~ Purchase an Entertainment book for metropolitan areas you will be visiting. These can be purchased online. You will realize huge savings in meals, local attractions, shuttle tours, plays, car rentals, and more. Once I bought one for a trip to Washington D.C. We used coupons for the Grayline Tour, an open tram narrated tour of the city, a fantastic play at the Kennedy Center, a few restaurants, and a variety of other attractions. We saved about $300. At the end of the trip the Concierge was delighted to purchase it for $15! In most towns we will give it to someone that has made our stay a pleasant one, such as a housekeeper or the person working the desk at the motel.

~ Purchase a National Park pass. If you are under 62 you can purchase an annual Golden Eagle Passport for $50 which will admit you, and all persons in your car, into any National Park free of charge. National Monuments charge a minimal fee of a couple of bucks. If you are over 62, you can purchase a lifetime Golden Age Pass for a one time fee of $10. Some of our favorite places to visit are the beautiful National Parks located in every state across the country. These passes are truly like gold!

~ Purchase low cost phone cards for your trips. Costco and Sam’s Club sell cards that run under 3.5 cents per minute. Use the calling card from motel rooms instead of paying the hefty fees they charge for long distance calls. These can be used from phone booths as well if you have the need to make a call – much less expensive than regular long distance service carriers. You can also purchase minutes from various services online for 3 cents per minute or under, and these work just like a phone card. 

~ Take the self-guided walking tours in towns and save a bundle instead of taking the trolley tours. If you have the physical ability to walk, it is great exercise, and you can spend more time observing historical sites and buildings by walking. Often free brochures are available for walking tours, or guidebooks that only cost a $1 or $2. I have especially enjoyed the night tours and “ghost walks” available in many towns. They provide a rich history of the local folklore and are lots of fun.

~ Save money on motel accommodations by staying at friends and family whenever possible. If you do this, you will want to be sure to reciprocate the favor when they are taking trips. We even offer to bring our sleeping bags and air mattresses if beds are at a minimum. They know that we don’t have expectations for them to fix our meals, etc. We always are courteous guests and go the extra mile so our hosts don’t feel put out. I offer to make a meal to thank them, bring in some pizza, or take them out for an economical dinner. This still beats the cost of staying in a motel.

~ Rental car agencies vary widely in price and offer a great opportunity for negotiating. I have saved hundreds by checking the various locations in a town. Often it is much cheaper to pick up a car away from the airport. If you work for a company that has a corporate account with certain agencies, they often honor the discount rates when you travel for leisure. Check all discounts offered for AAA, AARP, weekend rentals, etc. They have lots of room to negotiate, so just keep asking what discounts you could qualify for. Use discounts offered in the Entertainment book. When you pick up your vehicle, many companies will upgrade you to a much nicer car for the same rate if you learn to ask with a nice smile. I often check out the people behind the counter, and will wait for one that appears to be more friendly and easier to work with.

~ Stay alert to the little things that siphon off money. It really adds up. If you have to pay for parking, look for parking a few blocks away and get some extra exercise. If you are tempted to buy souvenirs, just stay out of the shops! If that seems too severe, give yourself a small budget and stick with it. Take food into parks and attractions so you aren’t tempted to spend the exorbitant rates charged at concession stands. If you are a more mature person, always ask if Senior discounts are available. 

~ If you feel that your family can’t afford to go on vacation, enjoy one at home. We often don’t explore the interesting places available to us in our own back yard. Sleep and eat at home, pack some picnic meals, and head out each day to explore something new and different. Pick up information from your Chamber of Commerce and pretend you are tourists visiting your own town. 


Keep a journal of expenses on each trip. This gives you an idea how much to budget for future vacations. Keep a record of the money you save as well. You’ll discover that it will inspire you to find more ways to save. Create a special fund to deposit the extra savings and use it toward something you’ve been wishing for – this will provide you with additional incentive. I hope you will enjoy many happy vacations in your future!

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Copyright © 2003 by Karen Kuebler

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