Vacation Tips to Make Memories, Build Faith & Keep the Budget

Sometimes vacations seem unnecessary when we are staring down bills and college, but the rigors of life show us that planning for a vacation is not only necessary, but can be a part of what makes a family successful. Whether or not you are on a shoestring budget or you have more than you need, a memorable vacation is possible for you that does not need to stress you out financially. Here are some tips to help you in your planning as summer is just around the corner.
 
• Budget sensibly. Sticking to a budget can be challenging even for the more miserly among us. Having a budget that is realistic makes a budget more achievable. Vacations are notorious for busting the piggy bank, but that does not need to be the case. Be sure to note all expenses including groceries, eating out, gas, admission fees, etc. Including children in the budget process helps them to be aware and can serve as a motivation to conserve money on one day to make another special event on another day possible. Alternating going out to eat with picnics or preparing your own foods helps to minimize food costs. Web surfing ahead of time can also help to find deals on hotels.
• Make your plans. Sometimes simpler is better. A beautiful hike on a mountain or a swim in the lake or ocean are just as much fun as expensive resorts. Vacations are for the whole family, so alternating between different member’s preferences teaches servanthood and ensures that everyone has fun. Be flexible. Not every day of a vacation needs to be planned. 
• One Main Destination. Having one main location helps to keep costs down and stress low. Staying in one place allows you to relax for awhile, too, and can save money.
• Expectations. Ever been to an amusement park and people do not look very amused? Setting expectations and parameters ahead of time helps parents establish the rules and avoid unnecessary drama with the children. For example, establishing ahead of time that anything the children are wanting to buy for their personal entertainment or souvenir is on their nickel. Saving ahead of the trip helps them to be motivated to spend carefully.
• Value Hunting. The web is a great resource to check out on the fly or ahead of time. Smart phones make it easy to pull up coupons in an instant, but researching ahead of time can cut down on stress and aid in planning. Check the websites of where you will be visiting. Other resources like an AAA Tour Book can provide a lot of low or no-cost activities. Field trips locally can provide entertainment inexpensively.
• Have a purpose. Although there are times to go to lavish family vacation spots, sometimes such vacations can leave you feeling gypped. The best vacations are often ones that have a purpose intertwined. Bear Trap Ranch, sponsored by InterVarsity in Colorado is a combination of spiritual input and outdoor activities. In addition to the worthy goal of growing closer as a family, the whole family benefits from the spiritual truth of family camps, as well. Having a purpose helps to nurture the family tradition that can build a foundation for your family for years to come.
• Memorialize it. Whether you post pictures from your smart phone to an online album or have journals to write in each day of the trip, recording the vacation makes sure the little moments aren’t forgotten. Because vacations can build such great memories, the tradition can live on for years and generations to come.