Vacation season is just around the corner. If you are like most people, you are considering where you will be heading this time. Will it be the beach, the mountains, or an amusement park? There are many options.

And while it is fun to plan a vacation, there is a financial reality to each one—it will cost money. So as you consider your upcoming vacation, lets look at a few ways to save some money.

Here are eight ways to save money on your vacation:

1. Know your number. How much can you spend on this vacation? Regretful spending happens all the time on these trips. You get caught up in the fun and forget that what you spend on vacation will influence your spending once you get home. Put a spending cap on your vacation and plan to operate within it.

2. Plan your splurges. Determine what you want to do most on your vacation and organize your spending around those splurges. It is easier to do something on the cheap when it allows you to splurge in other areas. You will probably find that experiences matter more than food and accommodations. If this is the case, find ways to reduce these costs so that you have enough money for the experiences.

3. Explore various accommodation options. When we went to Disney, we found that staying five minutes away from the theme park significantly reduced our costs. We were able to get a much larger accommodation for a fraction of what it would’ve cost us if we had actually stayed at the park. Wherever you are going, be sure to check out as many accommodation options as possible. You can save yourself some serious money.

4. Ask for a better price. Especially when it comes to accommodations. They have flexibility built into their pricing. But they will not consider lowering the price unless you ask. If they cannot lower the price, ask for a larger room at the same price. They may not always adjust their pricing, but it never hurts to ask.

5. Go grocery shopping. Food costs can kill a vacation budget. So plan to “eat in” several times. If your room has a refrigerator, have breakfast in the room. You can also enjoy the local area by planning a few outdoor picnics. And don’t forget the snacks for the trip there and back.

6. Check out sites like Groupon.com and Restaurant.com. You can sometimes find some really good deals on these types of sites. They will also help you plan what to do and where to eat.

7. Limit souvenirs. Nick-nacks are typically overpriced and often find their way to storage or the trash shortly after the vacation. Before you purchase a souvenir, consider its long-term functionality. What will you be doing with it a year from now?

8. Stay close. You can always reduce your travel expenditures by staying close to home. If your budget does not allow you to go to Orlando, check out places that are within a few hours drive from you home. You may be surprised at the great local treasures you didn’t know existed.

Vacations are great. Vacations that fit within your budget are even better. Try several of these money saving tips next time you plan a vacation. You will reduce post-vacation regret by planning your spending wisely.

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Written by Art Rainer, member of the Summit Stewardship and Generosity Ministry Leadership Team.

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