I love to travel with my family as much as I love to eat! But sometimes finances (and lack of them) put a damper on travel plans to some degree. Every year, we go somewhere during the summer months and stay away for three or four weeks at a time. However, we are on a tight budget (we don’t spend any money at all, except money for essentials like food, gas, and lodging). We have been traveling as a family for many years. We rarely travel alone like some people do. There are always two or three cars full of kids, grandkids and friends and family and their kids coming over to have a little fun! But we have a good time no matter where we end up. Let me tell you our little secret to having a great time traveling on a budget.

As you travel from one place to another, find the cheapest gasoline available. Sometimes, moving away from the interstate, you can find gas up to 12 or 15 cents cheaper, give or take. It pays to shop around.

#1: Reserve your rooms several months in advance or in advance to save money. Also remember that room rates are usually cheaper during the first part of the week and prices go up on weekends. Every few dollars saved can be used for other things. Depending on the time of year, consider this: A motel with an indoor or heated pool during the winter months is a good idea because kids can swim. Even in summer, an indoor pool is ideal in case of rain. Have a little fun yourself. Grab your swim toys and jump in!

#2: If you’re planning to take the family somewhere fun and exciting, it’s best to plan ahead. He knows where you’re going. Let the Internet be your next best friend. Familiarize yourself with your destination. Contact the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Office and ask for brochures, travel guides and maps. Don’t be shy, ask questions. Find out all about the free festivities that take place in the city during the week of your planned stay. Remember your budget. If you’re taking kids and other family members on the trip, the more you have to do, the better. Sometimes gifts are more fun than you think.

Next, decide on one or two paid activities (remember to stay within your budget) like the zoo or an amusement park and book online. Some zoos/aquariums offer a combo package that can save you around $10-12 per person; You can usually find great deals online, but be careful when buying tickets online; be sure to read the fine print.

If you have any questions about what you are buying, please call the number listed and ask before you buy. If it’s not clear what you’re buying online, then it’s not clear what you’re getting.

A free adventure tip: If you’re running out of things to do and the kids are bored, take them to visit a local pet store. It’s free to watch. A mini home zoo! Sometimes pet stores have activities, sometimes they don’t.

#3: Months before the trip, set aside at least two rolls of quarters per person for spending allowance. Tell each person how much money you have for the duration of the trip and stick to it. It’s hard to give in when the little ones spend their entire allowance and whimper for more. When you’re on a budget sometimes you have to sacrifice a few little things to stay within your means.

Quarters are as easily spent as dollars. They may look a bit bulkier, but this is a great way to keep your hands off credit cards and out of your wallet every time you stop.

#4: Set aside several rolls of quarters for laundry every night. It makes sense to start saving early. Shop at local dollar stores for laundry detergent. Buy a container that will last the duration of the trip. What you have left over you can always take home.

Bring the kids a beach towel and a swimsuit. When they’re done in the pool, hang the wet items above the shower for the next time they want to swim.

When we started going on vacation with the grandkids, I brought the towels and the bathing suit, but they went swimming several times a day and never wore the wet bathing suit again because they were wet and cold. I would have at least 4 washing machines full of wet clothes every day. It’s not happening now. It may be a bit uncomfortable for them and a little chilly, but they go swimming and will be soaking wet in a matter of minutes.

Laundry is expensive if you are budgeting your funds. Save the money for something else.

#5: Stay away from coffee shops. Starbucks is expensive. Why pay $4 or $5 for a cup of coffee when you bring your own coffee maker and can of coffee? Bring the sugar and cream too. You like tea? Bring yours. You can drink as much as you want and you won’t spend a fortune on a single cup.

Bring a thermos on the trip. During the commute home, you can fill up a large thermos for less than the cost of a medium cup of coffee, usually around $1.59 per thermos. And it holds multiple cups.

#6: Bring the coolers. Fill them with plenty of water and your favorite beverages for the road trip ahead.

#7: If you’re planning your trip months in advance, this is good. Remember that you will have to eat. We go out to eat every day, once a day, usually at a fast food restaurant because of the cheap menus. But one way we do it and not have to detract from our travel budget is really simple. Gift cards for restaurants. Every week for several months before our trip, I take $10 to $15 of my grocery money and buy a gift card to Burger King, Wendy’s, Sonic, Dairy Queen, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Applebee’s, Denny’s or I-Hop. Cracker Barrel also has cards available. There may be others, but these are some of our favorites. You can find these gift cards at dollar stores or Walmart and can be redeemed at any time.

Buying a card once a week is not as bad as it seems. You’ll probably never lose the $10 or $15 of your grocery money anyway.

I do this every week and when it comes time to travel I usually have enough gift cards for our family and we eat out every day of the trip. It does not come out of our budget for living expenses reserved for our trip.

I usually book motels that offer a fancy breakfast (waffles, eggs, everything…) so we don’t have to worry too much about it. Also, some assorted fruits, breakfast bars, some cereal boxes and milk in the room take care of that and between snacks throughout the day. Lunch is usually sandwiches and chips or a bowl of canned soup.

It may seem like a bit more work to be prepared, but if you’re limited to spending money eating out, this is the only way to go. I know. If you have a bunch of hungry kids and don’t have any money saved up to give them a hamburger once in a while, you’ll end up wanting to stay home. If they’re ungrateful and think you’re cheap, so what? They will forget it and will remember only the good times they spent with you when it’s all over. I was there, I did that!

#8: Take a few minutes for yourself while you’re away. Let someone watch the little ones while you take a dip in the pool or relax in the hot tub alone. Or stroll down the beach with your significant other and simply enjoy some alone time with your favorite person or alone, whichever you prefer. It’s free, and it’s good for the soul and it’s good for what ails you. Just because you’re on a tight budget doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your trip. I have been doing this for over twenty years and every trip we take is better and better.

Enjoy an in-room movie while everyone else is at the pool. Take a hot bubble bath and drink a glass of wine. Relaxation is free and revives the spirit!

That’s my tips for today guys! Traveling is fun, exciting, and expensive, but you can enjoy it on a budget. You just have to learn what works best for you.