When it comes to vacation time and traveling, it can really be expensive, especially if you are carting around a whole family for a little time away. But that’s doesn’t mean it has to completely break you bank. Sometimes all it takes is a little careful planning and you can really get some steals for your vacations. So here are a few tips to help with making the best budget vacation you can.

Book in Advance

All it takes is a few months ahead of time to make a difference in payment of hundreds to thousands of dollars. If you buy plane tickets alone up to six months ahead of time you end up saving over 30-50% from if you buy those plane tickets only a month or a week from the flight date.

Aim for Non-Holiday Times

People always focus on having their vacation times during the same times as everyone else. Thanksgiving and Christmas times are some of the worst for travel, because everyone is doing it! Even the summer can be frustrating, aiming for September or even March vacation times can really end up paying off, by lowering costs on tickets and even things when you are in your new place, who often bump up prices during the ‘tourist season’.

Look for Places off the Map

You may have heard great things about Tahiti or Hawaii, but everyone is going there, and that means the expenses are a bit higher because of that. If you instead aim for something like New Mexico, or Florida, you can have just as much fun and end up saving yourself countless dollars while also promoting tourist scenes in other areas of the world! Look for unusual and different places, you won’t be disappointed.

Bring from Home

When it comes to food and other little knick-knacks you might need while on a vacation, don’t be afraid to bring things from home. If you aren’t flying anywhere and you have the advantage of a car for driving, then you can stockpile that car with all sorts of snacks and foods to take that will save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you are cooking them at home. Don’t be afraid to pack some food!

There’s always more to learn about being frugal when it comes to traveling and vacations, so just keep your eyes and ears peeled for the greatest of deals and sometimes they might just drop right into your lap!