frugal vacation is it possible??????

[luddybell]

I need any and all frugal tips on how to make a trip to the beach as frugal as possible for 2 23y/os and 2 15 y/o's

I will be "footing" most of the bill and want to have fun yet save money also please help any and all advice is appreciated

thanks

Misty

[crosses]

Misty,

Is this a day trip to the beach or an overnight weekend or week long trip? Are you lloking for saving tips in food or activities or any specific areas?

[kashi]

how far is the beach? are you planning to stay at a hotel or something? are you driving or flying?

---bring your food. pack a cooler full of beverages, sandwich fixings, easy-to-eat foods that you don't have to mess with much.

---if you are staying at a hotel, check priceline.com to see if your city of choice is there, and reserve online. I have saved tons of money on hotel rooms with priceline. same with airfare, if you need it.

---stay at a campground if you have access to a camper, or if you have tents and supplies. it can be very inexpensive and a lot of fun.

---bring things to play with. frisbees, boomerangs, kites, beach balls, a bucket to bury each other or make castles, etc. things like that are still fun, even when you're not a little kid anymore. don't forget the sunscreen!

---search for seashells and have a competition for the most beautiful shell.

---buy five disposable cameras and have a competition for the most beautiful beach shot. when you get home, you can develop the film, and go through the photos together and remember your fun times.

---if you are staying for longer than a day or two, look into free activities in the city nearby. there might be a free aquarium, or museum, or art display, or something like that that would be fun and interesting.

I am envious...I wish I could just hop in the car and go to the beach right about now. have a great time!

[luddybell]

Thanks... the beach is actually only 2.5 3hrs away .... and i will be driving ( ugh... gas prices.. gotta work that into the budget) we actually wont be going till the 2 younger ones ( my sister and lil cousin) get out of school in June... so probably about Julyish or August... but im trying to save money now. And tryin to figure out how much I need to save/sacrifice in other things like haircuts... and stupid stuff ......


Any other ideas are very welcomed

[DivaJen]

I'll second (third?) the suggestion to bring as much of your own food and drinks as possible. Eating out gets so expensive.

About a hear and a half ago my family and I stayed in some friends' mountain home for a week. We made almost all of our meals (which we would have had to do at home anyway) so the only real expense we had to incur was gasoline to drive there.

[Momof3grls]

Yes bring a cooler 2 if you can & fill it with stuff even if its a day trip. And if you are trying to save maybe make it a one day trip we did that last summer. We went to a beach that has an amusement park & I had free tickets to the amusement park so that was free & I brought a cooler we did eat dinner out but it didnt cost too much & it was very relaxing before we drove home.

[mom-from-missouri]

If you stay in a motel try to find an older one-rates tend to be cheaper, and also one with a kitchenette. you will pay more for the kitchenette, but will save more by cooking vs eating out.

[skipper]

If your staying in a hotel stay off the beach front look for hotels a few mile from the beach you can save upwards of 70%.

Buy your snacks at the dollar stores where you can buy 10 snack cakes for a buck where as a hotel vending machine it could cost you 1.25

Call the chamber of commerce or vacation burea in that area they will mail you vacation guides most have discounts in them for hotels resteraunts and local amuesment. The guides also give you list of local happenings some of them free.

Go in the middle of the week hotels are cheaper Sunday thru Thursday if it is not a holiday or a local festival week. Most resteraunt have daily specials thru the week but rarely on weekends.

[miclason]

Stock up well before time on snacks and sodas (since you have a couple of months, you can buy them on sale!)...don't forget to pack (buy if you need!) sunscreen, please!! and, try to get some of that aloe gel, as well, or solarcaine, if you have sensitive skin!...Definetely pack a cooler (borrow one if you don't have one!)... have to agree on the kitchenette thing!...also on the staying off the beach front thing...bring board games, a good inexpensive way to spend nights....books and magazines...don't forget the music!...oh, make sure you pack a first-aid kit!
Foods that are good to pack -if not a day trip:
bread (for making sandwiches)
tuna
cheese
ham
eggs
milk
cereal
sodas and/or juices
WATER
fruits
yogurt
salad
chicken (precooked)


Have fun!

[mom-from-missouri]

Find out if the beach or hotel you are staying in has grills for cooking out. If they do, take a bag of briquits and lighter fluid with you--you will pay twice as much for it there..Last year in yellowstone, they wanted over $7 for a bag. I brought my own bag from dollar general with me that cost $1.99

[luddybell]

You guys all have good ideas!!! I especially like the idea of the kitchenette...... we are currently selling stuff on ebay to make money for the room, along with me pitching in from my paycheck bi-weekly... I told the girls that we were gonna go to the grocery store before we leave and eat alot in the room with maybe one or 2 treat meals out IF we can save and raise enough money...... But thats the only way!...........

[acezz4e_tish]

some campgrounds also rent equiptment. you can get a tent and supplies at our koa if you call ahead. or check online. its like 30 a nite or 35 rent and stay each nite, its worth it to me too, i love koa, they always have added bonuses that kids love and thats why i do it, for the kids. kamping is the best option i think, check online for camps first and foremost, its half the price of a hotel room and all the extras still there just gotta walk up to them. cable tv and wifi are at almost any commercial and most private camps. they want people to stay so they offer more things like hotels. most koas in fact have unlimited pancake breakfasts for 2 dollars a person. but being at the beach itself, always using your own cooler is the best and cheapest option. you can get walmart pop, make sandwiches and baked goods up at home and take with you and have all you want and what you like too.

[locolorenzo24]

After camping out of my car for a year...I second most of this advice....

-Find out if there are any fees for parking/admittance to the beach...Don't try to skip them, cause you may end up spending more to get your car outta hock!

-Take your own food and drink (Tip: a little spice adds a lot to a simple meal. Try red pepper flakes or a dash of garlic powder.)

-Make sure to wear sunscreen!

- Take cards, umbrellas, sunglasses, a good book, have a backup plan for days if it rains....You can always go window shopping (With the understanding that it's only that!) Maybe play a game with a small prize(say, a candy bar) for the most creative find.

- Have a little budget for mini-golf or go-karts, etc. Those are the best memories from vacations! Good for all ages!

- Try to guarantee each adult has some free alone or together time...sometimes that can do wonders!

- If you end up camping, make sure your tent is waterproof!

- Have fun!

-If you go in summer, some areas have attractions or even free festivals/entertainment on the streets, etc. My mom lives in VA beach and they always have free musical/singing/dance/magic acts on the boardwalk everyday during the summer.

-Looking forward to going to the beach in July myself!!

[Tree0164]

Get any local guides mailed to you or check to see if there is an Entertainment book for that area that may have some discounts.

Also depending on how long you are staying, a cottage maybe more economical than staying in a hotel/motel. http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacat...ed-States.html might be a good resource or check with local real estate offices to see if there are any rentals.