Beach vacations can be surprisingly pricey! Especially if you aren’t fortunate enough to call a space on the coast “home.” Don’t let the thought of going over budget prevent you from living it up on your next beach vacation! Here are a few of my favorite tips to help you save a little bit of money on your next coastal getaway!
1. Switch Up Your Travel Dates Typically, holiday weekends are more expensive for vacation goers. It’s best to avoid hitting the beach over Memorial Day Weekend or over the the 4th of July. Check the price of multiple weeks throughout the year prior to booking your vacation, that way you can make sure you get the best deal possible!
2. Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time If you are planning on booking a beach house or a condo with a kitchen for your vacation, you can actually save a bit of money by cooking your meals at home! Plan out your menu a few weeks in advance, and assign each family (if you are traveling with multiple) a night to cook. Definitely plan for a few meals at any local restaurants to truly get the feel of the culture in the area. You’ll be surprised at how much money this will save you!
3.BYOBT (Bring Your Own Beach Toys) Do your kids always beg you for beach toys from the souvineer shops found along the boardwalks? Yeah…mine do too! Before you leave on your vacation, be sure to check the Dollar Store or Walmart for any beach toys they may have available. It saves you a ton of money, and sometimes the Walmart bought toys last much longer than any purchased at a souvineer shop! Bring your own beach chairs if possible to help save money on any rental costs!
4. Set A Budget This tip definitely seems a little bit obvious, but it can’t go without a mention! It’s often easier to divide your budget out by days, and put the money for each day in an envelope. It’s super easy to keep track of your money when it’s all in an envelope, and you won’t be tempted to overspend because you know exactly the amount of money you had!
5. Pack Your Snacks Similar to tip number two, it’s important to bring your own snack foods! Spending money every day at the ice cream stand down the road can get to be extremely expensive. Bring your own bottled water, soda, juice boxes, cereal, and chips from home! Believe it or not, even grocery stores in small beach towns really mark up the prices on common items such as these. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save!
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