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Travel on the Cheap
How to Cut Costs on This Year's Vacation
By Cara J. Stevens
Summer vacation: The words bring to mind long days at the beach, dips in the pool, amusement park visits and more. Of course, the fun and relaxation that is supposed to come with vacation always seem to be prefaced by the stress of planning the darned thing year after year. Perhaps the biggest stress of all on families today isn't creating the ultimate summer getaway, but the price tag. Let's face it, summer travel – or any travel, for that matter – often comes with a hefty "relaxation tax."
But busy parents, fear not: There are bargains to be had and ways to travel without taking out a second mortgage on the house.
One of the most important steps in preparing for a vacation is planning ahead. "I would suggest that for the best family summer travel you want to buy well in advance," says Amy Ziff, travel columnist and Travelocity.com's editor-at-large. "There are a lot of people going to the same spots, and you will save money by booking ahead."
With that in mind, however, there are many great online resources for last-minute deals if your needs aren't too specific. Most travel, resort and airline sites offer e-mail newsletters with new deals every month, week or even every day.
Also, don't wait until the last minute to decide what you'll do once you're there – and that includes planning for the weather. You can waste almost an entire day of vacation driving around looking for raincoats and sunscreen.
