Vacation is supposed to be fun and relaxing, but if your budget is tight and family members have different and multiple interests, it can be downright stressful. So what’s the secret to having a vacation the whole family will enjoy? It’s simple, really: Get everyone involved in the decision-making process, set a budget and do your research.
1. Get everyone involved – Getting the entire family to agree on a vacation spot may seem like a daunting task, but it’s really not that difficult if you put your mind to it. Start talking about the things you like to do together. Perhaps you all love to spend time in the outdoors, or enjoy the thrill of a rollercoaster ride. Before you know it you’ll have a long list of possible criteria in mind.
2. Stay within budget – If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on this year’s vacation, plan on driving to your destination instead of flying. Most likely, driving will cost just a fraction of what you’d spend on airline tickets for the whole family.
Log on to Travelingmom.com, a site with tips and expert advice about planning a successful road trip, to find everything from the best deals to stories of vacations from other moms. The site even boasts a page dedicated to popular free tourist attractions in all 50 states.
You may also be able to put a little extra cash in your pocket for your trip before leaving by seeking auto insurance quotes to see if you are paying too much for car insurance. Many companies offer free quotes online so you have nothing to lose.
3. Do your research – Not sure where you want to go? If you live along the East Coast, some popular places to visit on a road trip include Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy, and New York City, home of the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. Popular destinations for Midwesterners include the North Shore of Minnesota’s Lake Superior and the Wisconsin Dells. Many in the Southwest would enjoy a leisurely drive down to Mexico, and West Coast residents have the many attractions in L.A., San Francisco and Seattle to consider.
If you have a teenager in the household, letting him or her drive would offer some great open road experience. Before the trip, however, provide your son or daughter with some driving safety tips. Here are some found on the Allstate website: Insist that your driver (and all passengers) wear seat belts at all times, always obey the speed limit and promise to avoid distractions, such as talking or texting on a cell phone.
