Have Fun While Saving Money This Summer

For many people, summer is a conflicted season. On one hand, it’s full of warm nights on the beach and lazy vacations away from the stress of work and home. On the other hand, it often means being attacked by mosquitoes and spending so much money on swimsuits and iced coffees that “Let’s have a campfire” turns into code for “My energy bill is through the roof and I need to cook dinner without using any appliances for the next two months.” Now more than ever, vacationers are looking for new ways to save a few bucks on summertime fun. Here are a few basic tips to get you thinking about all the ways you can save up, instead of spend, this summer:

• Start researching travel options early. The earlier you plan, the better deals you will find. Additionally, you’ll have time to compare different destinations and find out which cities tend to be more expensive than others.
• Keep in mind that traveling on holiday weekends can be much more expensive than regular weekends. Everything from hotel prices to restaurant prices can increase just because of so many travelers.
• Find activities that don’t require admission. Theme parks are fun (especially if you have small kids), but they can get pretty expensive. If you just want to go for the water park section, consider finding a natural beach or waterfall instead. If you like seeing different booths and shops, consider finding a busy neighborhood with a variety of cultural activities going on.
• Travelers are often quick to assume that flying by plane is the easiest way to get around, but it’s no secret that plane tickets can be outrageously expensive during high-volume summer months and travelers tend to find themselves waiting in long security lines, only to rush to the gate and climb on board a plane that is bursting with passenger carry-on bags.
  
  A more affordable — and probably more comfortable — option is to travel on a charter bus service. These services often include regular coach bus trips, where passengers purchase individual tickets, but another option for larger groups is renting a charter bus. Renting a charter bus is a great option for school trips, church groups, and even big family vacations. Bus companies offer a variety of different sized coach buses, and they can help you calculate how much renting a charter bus will cost per person.

Regardless of where you want to go this summer, you don’t have to empty your wallet to have fun. With just a little bit of research, you’ll find that there are so many ways to save a bit of cash no matter where you end up.