Written by: Chris O’shea

How to vacation on a budget.

It’s vacation time, and that means you should be in planning mode. The best way to avoid overspending on a vacation is to strategize before the trip arrives. Here are some ways to travel on a budget.

Start Saving

Not spending a lot on your vacation requires planning.

• First, you need to start saving for this trip.
• Find a high-yield savings account and open one specifically for your vacation fund.
• Set up automatic deposits to make saving easier.

Find a Place

Do some research on places that are affordable. If you want to hit the beach, search for popular beaches and then find a short-term rental close by. They will not only be less crowded, they’ll also be cheaper.

Go Off-Peak

Another way to save money on a summer vacation is to go during off-peak times.

• Find your destination.
• Research the most popular times to go there.
• Pick a different time frame.

Easy, and you’ll save a bundle.

Look for Deals

Now that you have your destination and time frame locked down, do some searching for deals and discounts. That means hotels, flights, even restaurants and activities near where you’re staying.

Do One Thing: Plan your vacation in detail so that you don’t overspend.