Ever wonder how your family can have a great travel experience and save money? Tune in as Melissa Morgan, co-author of Educational Travel on a Shoestring, gives some helpful ideas for frugal traveling on today’s Home School Heartbeat with HSLDA President Mike Smith.
Mike Smith:
Melissa, will you share with our listeners some creative ways a family can finance their travel dreams?
Melissa Morgan:
One family had an unusual method of travel, a people-powered car, and found a commercial sponsor for their trip. We live in an incredibly rich, throwaway society. Will anybody know or care if we wear nice but gently used clothing instead of designer clothes from the mall? Will our young children enjoy or even notice new play clothes any more than clothes brought at a garage sale. If educational travel is an important goal, consider changing or eliminating optional utilities such as cell phones and Internet services. Shop around for all the best deals; downsize home mortgage and car expenses. Bank the savings and save up for that trip you’ve dreamed about. How can you stretch your travel dollars? Travel out of season or take advantage of last-minute deals. Food and drink, basic necessities, don’t have to cost more when you travel. Whenever possible, order water instead of pop; where allowed, bring a cooler or backpack with your own snacks and drinks to events. Cook creatively on the road, eat what and where the locals eat. And buy food at grocery store delis instead of restaurants. Look into discounts and lodgings that may be available through organizations and clubs. Even if you stay at a hotel, your room price is almost always negotiable. Always, always ask for a discount. Remember, it’s the journey that matters, not just the destination. Happy trails everyone!
Mike:
Well thank you so much for joining us this week, Melissa. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.
