How we plan to have a cheap vacation this summer
This year I’ve planned to have a cheap vacation over the summer. With two children and one income, I knew I didn’t want to go too far and didn’t want to spend much money. I always aim to save money on vacations, but this year I wanted to reduce my expenses as much as possible. Thankfully that works well since all our family members want us to visit them so that they can spend time with the boys!
For our first trip, we plan to visit “Nana and Papa” in northern British Columbia. To avoid paying for an expensive flight, we decided that we’ll drive. That’s a 12-hour drive from Edmonton, but it is nice and scenic with the mountains and forest along the way. Once there, we plan to have a pretty relaxing week with friends and family. We’ll also likely take a trip up the Alaska Highway to a park for a picnic. There are also hot springs nearby.
Our other short vacation will also be in B.C., but this one will be a little busier as we have a few destinations. First, we’ll be driving out to Kamloops to visit some family there. Then we’ll be heading to the boy’s great-grandfather’s cabin so he can spend time with his great-grandson. After that, we’re off to visit friends at their lake lot where we’ll enjoy more relaxation, but this time we’ll be on the beach!
Over the next 4-5 years, we’ll likely do many of these frugal vacations. Going somewhere tropical or far away doesn’t seem worthwhile since we don’t want to spend that much money and kids that young are not likely to remember the trip anyway. Once any children we have are all over the age of 3 or 4, we would love to take them to either Disneyland or Disney World.
What are you planning to do for a vacation this summer? What ways are you looking to save money while on your vacation?
Comments
Thx for the link 😉
our first vacation with kids (34 months and 10 months) were in a vacation property. We spent the the week by the lake walking in the forest and going on the lake.
We spent about $500 for the vacation property since it was in a remote area but we didn’t have to spend money on activities since they were all free. this was amazing!
Hey, Tom! It sounds like you have some fun trips planned.
Excuse my ignorance, but 12 hours NORTH of Edmonton? Nana and papa aren’t neighbors with the Clauses are they? LOL
Oh, I kid. I kid. 😉
I’m not a total ignoramus when it comes to Canada; I’ve known about Kamloops, BC since I was a kid.
My hometown, Fontana, California, just so happens to be the sister city of Kamloops! (At least it was when I was growing up. I hope those two cities haven’t had a falling out.)
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
You know that you’ve actually inspired me into thinking about vacation? I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t event been able to stop and think about some rest.
I don’t know, I’ll probably spend some time with my family in BC and I’d also love to go to the mountains. I really miss the touch of nature. I need some adventure!
Great idea, I am planning on doing the same, have a 1 and 3 year old, so doesn’t take much to wow them, first few years will be vacations that I can drive to within our region (Maritimes) and like you mentioned once they are a little older, I trip to disneyland will be on the books.
We are having a staycation this year. We have planned to visit some local campgrounds for 2 days at a time, this way we go to a brand new place every time, so it doesn’t get boring, and the kids are thrilled with the new adventures.
I’ll never forget the time when I was travelling back from a two-week ($5000) trip from Europe when on the Air Canada return flight they played the standard “Tourism Canada”-type film highlighting all of the most famous Canadian scenic places. I thought to myself, why did I need to go all the way to Europe? I could have just rented a car and explored Canada instead and had just as much fun. Since then, I have so much more respect for the “stay-cation”!
In your case driving is a good idea , but in other cases , for example when you don`t have any relatives or you must book one hotel room for you to sleep . i think that the best low-cost method is all-inclusive package. (airplane ticket, hotel room, drinking and eating each day, and maybe some other things ) .
Other method for good discounts are only coupons or advance bookings .
who cares if the kids remember the vacation to Disney or not.. its the fun of the moment that counts,.. don,t be selfish 🙂