In the first article in this series, we talked about some smart ways to save on a vacation and other costs this summer. The summer season can be a great time to put together a new budget and make some smart financial decisions that will set you up for more financial stability the rest of the year.
While it can be tempting to just jet off on a summer vacation or use up all of your vacation time to enjoy the summer months, you don’t have to let summer make a dent in your savings account. Making some wise decisions about how you spend and save your money this season will pay off in more ways than one.
Here are some more smart ways to save some money this summer:
Stay in Someone Else’s Timeshare
Do you have any close friends or family members that have timeshares they’re not using this summer? Ask them if you can stay in one of their timeshares so it doesn’t just sit empty. They might be able to give you a great deal or just let you stay there at no cost.
Some timeshare programs work on a credit or points system where the amounts saved need to be used up within a certain period of time. If someone has timeshare weeks or points available that they know they won’t use, they may be able to give them to you or sell them to you at a steep discount.
Recommended: Find thousands of timeshares for rent, sale or exchange here.
Plan a Staycation
Staycations were a growing travel trend during the peak of the recession a couple of years ago but are still a great idea for saving money on travel this season. Play tourist in your hometown or a city near home so you don’t have to pay for the cost of a hotel stay.
Or, look for state resident discounts at local hotels so you can enjoy all of the perks of a hotel or resort stay without paying a premium price. Search for local deals and discounted tickets to area attractions, and map out a fun itinerary for a few days of vacation without having to travel too far from home.
Recommended: The Great American Staycation: How to Make a Vacation at Home Fun for the Whole Family (and Your Wallet!)
Host a Family Reunion Near Home
Plan a family reunion that takes place all day long so that everyone can save on the cost of hotel accommodations. Choose a location that is within driving distance of most attendees if possible, and consider hosting a barbecue, day at the beach, or meeting at a theme park for your reunion festivities.
You can still enjoy a memorable event without having to pay a high price just to participate.
