We are leaving for vacation next week for a week near the ocean!  Okay, so my husband and oldest daughter Annie will have more fun since Erin and I will be spending our time in a gym at a baton twirling competition, but we will still have a couple of days to play!  Yay us!

However, since money has been tight this year I’ve been trying to come up with ways to save money while still having fun.  Here are some tips:

• Pack a cooler with plenty to drink: water, juice, soda.
• When you’re ready for lunch, pull into a grocery store and pick up some lunch meat, bread, and chips. You can have a picnic lunch at a rest area for under $10 rather than expensive unhealthy meals from a fast food restaurant.
• Use your cruise control. By maintaining a steady speed, you’ll improve your MPG.
• Kick off the air conditioner when the car is climbing a big hill or mountain to again use less gas.
• If you’re staying at a hotel, pick one that serves a hot or continental breakfast.
• Select a hotel that also offers free wi-fi rather than paying $8 or $20 p/day (if you HAVE to bring your computer).
• Don’t forget your beach towels!  Buying towels at those yucky tourist traps gets expensive!
• Make a packing list at least a week in advance so you can add to it as you remember items.  It’s a lot less expensive bringing your toothpaste from home than it is going out a buying yet another tube.
• If you do forget something, try to get off the beaten path to find a grocery store or discount store rather than picking up a 4-pack of double-A batteries for some outrageous price at one of the tourist stores.

Have a great vacation!