by Russell Linton

Created on: February 02, 2009

Spring break is rapidly approaching and with the current economic crisis many people assume that a fun filled family vacation is completely out of the question. However, a little planning may prove that your dreams of sipping drinks seaside or shredding the late winter slopes are not completely out of reach.

First off, be realistic. The most important thing about budget vacations is setting a realistic goal. It should be obvious that operating on a budget means making sacrifices. However, what may not be obvious is that you should also beware of under-budgeting. Pinching too many pennies may turn your fun getaway into an exercise in micro-management. Further, if you discover mid-trip that your budget is too skimpy, you may be tempted to toss it out the car window and break out the plastic.

Speaking of plastic: budget vacation planning should only include what you can spend out of your own pocket. By planning ahead of time you can set a goals to start saving. Break down the total amount and create weekly and monthly targets. Keep track of the savings progress for your entire family to see. Put a chart on the refrigerator or in a shared journal. This will not only teach your children how to responsibly meet financial goals but may also inspire them to find ways to help.

Don't forget to include any costs associated with not working. If the week-long work absence is too costly, scale down your vacation plans. Long weekends can be ideal, especially if you have a destination within driving distance. However, if you need to fly, the typical Friday to Monday long weekend may steer you away from some decent deals. Booking flights for unpopular travel days such as Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday can save you money.

For your plane ride, feel free to check the prices on direct flights, but you always pay more for the convenience. You will see cheaper prices for flights with at least one stop. You will also see cheaper prices for flights at inconvenient hours. However, when traveling with a family it is hard to recommend a 4 a.m. departure since dealing with cranky, tired kids can quickly derail a vacation. Remember, we want to create a FUN budget vacation and not a painful family memory.

If you have plenty of time, consider skipping the plane ride altogether. Gas prices are back down and the cost per gallon compared to the cost of airline tickets can mean substantial savings. The average price of a round trip plane ticket as of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics latest

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