The biggest part to planning a Family Vacation on a Budget is Setting the Budget and sticking to it. So, that said, start by setting a firm budget. Even before you choose a destination, choose exactly how much you can afford to spend (or want to). Once you know exactly what you are working with, you can sort out the kinks to your plan.

Now, choose your destination based on your budget. For example, if you, Dan, and the two kids can only afford six hundred dollars for your vacation, you sure as heck aren't going to jump in the car and drive 1,000 miles to hop on a Disney Cruise ship. No, you'll have to sort out just what the family wants. Think local. If you live in the North, maybe a weekend trip to Canada is in order. You could go to Vancouver, Montreal, or Quebec: milk the exchange rate, and your 600 dollar budget just turned into 708.48 Canadian. Stay in a nice motel for two overnights, tour a few museums, windowshop, hit a few diners, then hop back in the car and drive home.

If you are in a Southern state, think about revitalizing the tourist economy of Louisiana and tour some historic plantations. Or, travel to Mexico and get a taste of a Spanish-speaking country. Both of these could be accomplished driving and staying a weekend at a nice motel.

If you want to stay relatively local, check with your area chamber of commerce. Cultural sites, like Mystery Hill in New Hampshire, or the historic seaport of Salem, Massachusetts, are often less expensive than theme parks and they offer interesting experiences for families to share while supporting the local culture and heritage of your community. You also might try camping at one of your local state parks and contributing to the beautification of your own state or community.

Perhaps the biggest expense when traveling is food. Next to accomodations, food can be the priciest thing on the trip. That stack of waffles for breakfast that cost you 5.50, also cost Dan and the two kids 5.50, too. That means, you just spent 22.00 on breakfast (not counting tips and beverages) and you still have two more meals to go). Instead of blowing money on three meals-on-the-go a day, try packing a few favorites on the dime. Get a cooler and package up some PB&J's, pop-tarts, juice boxes, fruit, and other easily-cooled items. Try to only eat out for one meal a day (maybe an extra-special dinner stop at the Road Kill Cafe or the Hard Rock Cafe), and savor it while you spend the rest of your trip eating the vittels you packed. This will make each dining experience "special" as well as save you a little dough.

Finally, theme parks. A little known fact about theme parks can be found at most of your local libraries. Did you know that having a library card in most cities offers you more than three-week periods of book-borrowing abilities? Some libraries have special relationships with theme parks, theaters, and museums because libraries are non-profits and can receive tax-exempt charitable donations. As a result, you can often use your library card to get discounts at theme parks in your area. Anywhere from $3 off the price of admission to one free admission ticket for a member of the family. Check with your library to see what sorts of programs and discounts being a member can offer you.

Ultimately, the most important part of the family vacation is to have fun. So remember, no matter how little money you have, adventures begin in the mind. A family can have just as much fun hiking in a free nature park with a home-packed picnic lunch for less than a few dollars as they can have cruising the Caribbean with Minnie and Mickey Mouse. Play up the positives of any trip, and it is bound for success.

Good luck!

Learn more about this author, Araminta Matthews.
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