It can be tough sometimes to budget for summer travels and still want to go have fun with your friends or family. Budgeting is a great tool to use because it can help you manage your money and still make tons of memories while exploring new places and cities. I hope this article can help you to start saving and be able to plan out a fun trip with the people you love most!
1. Plan accordingly
Planning ahead allows you to save money and set aside money for certain activities. Finding cheap places like national parks, hiking spots, and cool scenery to explore can be a great way to get out and still make long-lasting memories. Road trips are a great option to get out there and be as budget-friendly as possible. All you need to pay for is gas and cheap hotels. There are always scenic attractions no matter where you travel in the U.S. You can start by putting 5 bucks in a jar every day and be able to rack up money during the months leading up to summer. Another planning tip is to book trips during the week, because those are the days when national parks and places will be less crowded as far as hotels go. Most people book long weekends or holidays, and being able to have the advantage of going during the week and avoiding crowds can be a game changer.
2. Find cheap places to go
Finding small towns to stay in is probably your best option because they will have affordable rates as opposed to a big city. You can always book and stay on the outskirts of a big city and still be able to explore and see all the sights. Joining a loyalty program through an airline for flights or a hotel chain can be beneficial because it can get you exclusive discounts and make your stay or transportation even cheaper. Being able to save and have extra money for even more fun things can be a great tool to use when planning out your summer 2025 trips. Additionally, booking during off-peak days or seasons and using gas rewards apps like GasBuddy and Upside can further reduce your travel costs. Packing your snacks, drinks and using travel discount websites like Hotwire, Priceline, and Expedia can help cut unnecessary expenses.
3. Travel with a big group
This can be a beneficial tactic because it allows everyone in the group to split costs of excursions and have fun with people pitching in on food, drinks, and gas, especially if it is a road trip. You could even split it where a couple of people pay for a meal and then switch off with who pays for food the next time. Using apps like Zelle or Venmo can be a great tool to keep track of who pays who and the amount of money that is being spent. If you end up staying at an Airbnb or even a hotel room suite with a kitchen, it is beneficial to split money on who buys groceries for what meals and who contributes to cooking within the group to help save money on restaurants.
4. communicate well
This is a big one when traveling with a group. Start a group chat where everyone can communicate and be on the same page about plans and events for each day. This can also help with money exchanges and being able to budget well when everyone in the group can pitch in for food, drinks, or activities. A good tip, too, is to make sure everyone has their location on in case someone wanders off; you can track where they went to help the group stay safe. Photo and memory sharing is crucial to help disperse photos being taken and make sure everyone in the group has memories and moments captured.
5. Have fun
Often, planning for a trip can be the most stressful and difficult part because you want to make sure you hit all the cool places and see all the good scenery. It is important to allow yourself to breathe, let loose, and have fun on your trip. Summer is the perfect time to travel, and being able to budget well can help ease the anxiety of questioning whether you have enough money for a specific excursion. Planning in terms of accommodations, transportation, and meals can leave room in your budget for those last-minute activities that catch your eye or the special experience you hadn’t thought of initially.
By managing your finances wisely, you can focus on the joy of exploring new places, enjoying the moment, and truly relaxing without worrying about overspending. A little preparation can go a long way in making your trip stress-free and unforgettable.