Planning an Affordable Family Vacation

With the end of the school year fast approaching, many families are beginning to plan their summer vacations. Travel expenses can take a big bite out of your budget, but the Virginia Society of CPAs advises that there are many ways to make your vacation dollar go further.

Search for deals

Don’t miss out on the many online opportunities to find great bargains. You can use online travel sites to search for the lowest airfare, hotel rates and car rental rates, as well as entertainment deals. It’s a good idea to check specific airline sites, too, because they may be advertising specials that aren’t included on the bargain sites.

Pick the package

Before booking any segment of your trip, check out packages available from airlines or hotel chains. It’s often possible to find low-priced packages that include both hotel and airfare, and admission to local attractions, as well. However, remember that packages may not always be the cheapest deals. Examine the details and make sure that what you’re getting is worth what you’re paying.

Be flexible

Uncertain exactly where you’d like to go? Then plan your trip around the best deals available. Sites that specialize in low-cost travel usually advertise specials to certain locations, as do many airlines. If the location sounds like somewhere you’d enjoy exploring, you could save a great deal on your trip.

Choose a destination location

Want to save money  on gasoline and admission costs for various attractions during your vacation? Pick a hotel that has a pool, playground, nearby hiking or other on-property activities. In addition, many hotels offer suites with their own kitchens. While these may cost more than regular rooms, the savings on restaurants may more than offset the higher price.

Explore the great outdoors

Camping is not only a fun family activity, it’s also a cheaper way to travel. There are campgrounds and cabins at national and state parks that offer an inexpensive way to explore these locations. Outdoor vacations are a great departure from the usual routine and make it possible to get away from the television and computers. And in many cases, they are much less rustic than you might imagine. There may be cabins available at some sites, as well as water and electricity hookups.

In addition, getting in touch with nature may not be your only option when you camp. Disney World, for example, has campgrounds that can lower the price of what might otherwise be a fairly pricey vacation. You may find campgrounds near other theme parks or attractions, so don’t limit your search to hotels when looking for accommodations.

Head south

If you’ve dreamt of taking a vacation in the Caribbean or Mexico, summer is a great time to do it. That’s because summer is considered the off season, and many resorts offer promotions that feature great rates. If you’ve assumed you couldn’t afford a sunny resort locale, double check to see if prices are lower than you thought at this time of year.

Consult your CPA

Your local CPA has many great ideas for cutting costs in various aspects of your life. Turn to your CPA for advice on any of your financial needs.

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) is the leading professional association dedicated to enhancing the success of CPAs. Founded in 1909, the VSCPA has approximately 8,300 members who work in public accounting, industry, government and education. For more information, please visit the Press Room on the VSCPA Web site at www.vscpa.com, e-mail vscpa@vscpa.com or call (800) 733-8272. For more information on financial literacy topics like money management, or to search for a CPA in your geographic region, visit www.FinancialFitness.org.

© 2008 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants