Before you know it, summer will be here and vacation season will be in full swing. If you are one of those people who forgets to start planning for vacation until June arrives, it can be stressful figuring out where you are going to go and even more stressful on your budget. Make this year your year to plan ahead and start planning your summer vacation today.
Summer Vacation for Teachers
Dream Big and Small
Summer vacations do not have to be a huge trip or excursion to be memorable. Some of your family’s most exciting and talked about vacations may be the day trips to local attractions or an overnight trip to the beach. When you are planning where you want to go, remember that those trips are just as much fun as the week-long stay at Disney World. Jot down the big trips you would like to take and be sure to include the day trips and overnights, as well.
Realistic Budgeting
One of the keys to a successful vacation is to budget for it. This eliminates the stress of having to dip into other funds to pay for the trip. By starting to save in January, your coffers will be much more full than if you wait until May to start putting money aside. Be realistic about how much you can save each month. Compare the savings that you will have by the time of each trip to what the trip will cost. Inevitably, some of the smaller trips may have to be put off, or your big vacation may need to be pushed back until later in the summer, but if you know how much you need to save you are much more likely to do it. You will be able to narrow down exactly which trips you will be taking and give your family a goal for saving.
Extra Income
If you really want to take all of the trips on your list, think about ways that you can earn some extra income to help supplement your vacation fund. Yard or garage sales are always a great source of extra income and they help clear out the clutter in your home. If your children are outgrowing their clothing at an alarming rate, consider consigning some of their gently used clothing at seasonal consignment sales in your area. Tutoring after school is also a great way to supplement your income. You can use coupons while grocery shopping and stash away the money that you saved in your vacation fund jar too.
By planning ahead you have time to research the best deals and get the best prices on your vacation airfare and accommodations. You also take the stress out of the start of summer, because your plans will be already made and the funds will be saved up. Whether you head out-of-state to visit a new city or decide to buy a tent and camp in your own backyard, remember that it is not what you spend on the trip that makes it memorable. The love and laughter that you share with your family is truly what makes any vacation worthwhile.
Where is your favorite vacation spot? How do you plan for vacations?
Leave a comment below and share your ideas with us!
Carol Smith says
My family enjoys going to Tennessee. We enjoy the scenery (it is always so clean!) and we go to the various sights and activities that Tennessee offers. Graceland, Dollywood, The Grand Old Opry, etc. Lots to do and see.
Amy says
I like how you mentioned the mini day trips as being just as meaningful as the bigger, more glamorous trips. They’re easier to budget for (although may total the same at the end of the summer) and the kids have many memories to keep!
Karin L. Weber says
I’m beginning to research Disney cruises and vacations. Planning on going with a friend. Last year we went to NYC and had a blast! As for the family, they aren’t committing to anything right now. Maybe if I just plan a trip and they’ll just have to go! Ha Ha (I’d never do that!) Our summer may consist of traveling to college cities to research colleges for my son who will be a senior next year. Can’t believe how quickly time flies! I love vacationing with my family! We have a great time no matter what we’re doing!
Erica Winkler says
My family loves Disney World! My little girl really wants to eat with The Princesses in the castle and I’d like to try a Disney Cruise one day. My family saves 10 a week all year to go towards our vacation. Sometimes it’s enough and sometimes it’s only half depending on our destination.
Kristina says
Wow! This blog gets me excited for summer! My husband and I are both teachers. So, our time off during the summer is our time to make lots of memories with our family. One of our favorite spots to visit is our family’s lake house. It is such a relaxing time for all of us and it is very inexpensive.
Deanna says
We can’t decide if we should even go on
Vacation this year with a one-year-old and a
Two and a half year old! Do we spend the
Money on a trip they won’t remember or save
Up for a big trip in a couple years?
Sharon says
Since my husband and I both teach, we started a “vacation club” just like a Christmas club at our local financial institution. By taking money out of our checks and putting it away, we don’t “feel” the difference and then have money for our summer vacation! We have to look at calendars carefully to plan our vacation time as summer workshops/trainings are held throughout the summer months. We love “kid friendly” vacation sites. We usually alternate between educational trips and relaxation trips each year. A big trip such as Disney is saved for every 5 years. By planning ahead like that, we can have the necessary financial resources.
Kelly Thrower says
Love going to Carolina Beach, NC with fellow teachers. We start planning in March going to the same house each year! Great memories!
Deb says
My favorite part of summer vacation is spending time with my grandchildren. We can go out to the yard and have a great time. Last summer, the best day was the day we rode in the combine while my husband was cutting wheat. The grandkids comments were priceless.
Lori O. says
Someday I would love to go back to Germany, Austria, and England. There are many great places and they are rich in history. However, with my two precious girls someplace kid-friendly is more appropriate. They love the zoo (not too expensive) and park (free)!!! Spending time with my family is the best vacation ever!
Melissa says
Of course my favorite vacation place has to be Disney World! There is no place like it. No matter what age you are you can enjoy Disney. Always lots of laughter and happy faces there. I’ve Been there at least ten times and I’m only 27!
Cheryl S. says
Summer vacations are always fun, but my best summer memories are hanging out at the pool with my friends!! Best part of being a teacher, not working in the summer! Well and molding young children and helping them learn new things!!
Adella says
We want to visit the Azores, my husband’s family comes from there.
I like the idea of using Garage Sale $$$ because I don’t want to take any more time from my family.
Debbie says
I love that you included “the small trips” in the planning. One of my children’s favorite memories is our day trip up the Philadelphia to see the King Tut exhibit at the science museum. We walked around the historic area as well, and it was a perfect day!
Betty Jo says
Crazy or Not!! My favorite place to go to on vacation is Montana- Canyon Ferry Lake. It is just so beautiful up in the mountains. There is so much to do and it is much more peaceful than going to a big city.
Karen says
Oh, this article couldn’t have come at a better time. We ran out of heating fuel last night! We had an emergency run come out to give us enough fuel to get through the weekend until Monday when the truck can come out. So……….what was that about summer vacation planning? I’m on it!
Christine says
This will be my first summer vacation so these are great tips for me to help start planning what I’ll be doing when school is over! Your blog is fantastic for first year teachers such as myself… thank you so much!
Jo Ann Kiefer says
Booking online is a good way to save money. Only book with places that will return your money if you need to cancel at the last minute. Plus you can’t beat Southwest airlines – no baggage fees or change of flite charges.
Kendra says
We have been planning a year ahead for our vacation and it helps a great deal! That gives you time to check out all the options out there! Also, if you have to fly you know you have an airline ticket! Also, Check on all discounts on the websites before booking!!!
Brenda says
I love going to Disney World in Florida. Staying close to the park but off sight made it more affordable. However I liked the advantage of being able to catch a bus instead of having to drive there. Although it is usually hot we always went back to the hotel during the hottest part of the day to swim and nap to be ready for the night life. It has been several years since I have been and I know that it has changed so much. Looking forward to going back some time in the future.
Krysti Matherly says
Thanks for the reminder to start thinking about vacation and saving for it early. The last two years I have been so caught up in getting through the school year, that Summer was more of a crashing and than planning for next school year than a vacation. This year I am going to plan out some great weeklong trips to Sunriver Resort in Oregon and some weekend trips to the beach. After reading your article, I think I will plan some overnight trips to Disneyland and some day trips to shop in Los Angeles as well.
Minette Paltz says
Our favorite vacation spots are Denver, CO and Orlando, FL. We have relatives in both places, so we have a place to stay when we go, which greatly helps in saving money! We always buy a special gift/keepsake for the family we stay with and take them out to supper before we leave to thank them for their hospitality. We are saving for a large trip that we would like to take in 2017 so we are making a thermometer chart to keep track of how much we have saved, both to help us remember to save & to see how our money is adding up since that is several years away.
Kristen says
We love Disney World, too! We’re headed back this summer with our two boys, ages 4 and 6! We do the same as most…put away a little bit from each paycheck to pay for the cost. I also tutor after school and we sell things we no longer need (like forgotten toys) on craigslist to help us pay for it as well!
Kathie says
We have three children. To reduce the number of things the kids ask for on vacation we give our children a “budget”. For example each child gets 10.00 to 15.00 a day to spend on extras like souvenirs or candy. (we pay for most of the expenses) When they were little we would give them this money each morning, now that they are teens they can have the full amount at the beginning of the vacation. This way, they didn’t whine about wanting extras, they learned to budget their money and they became more discriminate shoppers.
We also make them “earn” this money before the vacation by doing extra chores 🙂
Crystal F. says
I have two children and we are planning on just exploring our own wonderful state of Michigan for summer vacation. I would like them to know the state that they live in and what it has to offer.
Jane Stange says
When my kids were younger than 8 we would visit all the metroparks in the Lake County or Cuyahoga County in Ohio. These were trips we could do in a day and didn’t cost money except for gas because we would pack lunches. Now they are 15 and soon to be 17 so we are planning to go places for the weekends so the 17 year old can participate in an internship that is 9-5 during the week. We can do this inexpensively by all 3 of us driving and staying with friends and family in Pennsylvania (only two hours from NYC) and Virginia (only 30 minutes from Virginia Beach) plus we will visit some colleges on our treks. Long term vacation planning is Australia when they both graduate 🙂
Adrienne says
We just began discussing our options last night. Our kids seem to want to do a lot of things this year so that’s what we decided to do! We will be taking shorter, more local trips rather than one long trip. A few days at the beach, an over night in NYC, maybe go to MD and do The National Aquarium. I can’t wait for summer to get here!
Cheryl says
We love Disney, but it takes us years to save! Living in Texas, our Summer vacation is usually to San Antonio. So much fun in one city! From the Alamo to Sea World. Lots to do with kids!
Kelly says
We will be going to the beach for sure and then some other smaller trips for vacation. One thing for sure is it will be somewhere with NO snow!
Lori says
I want to plan an international summer vacation before the kids get any older. (one will go to college in two years! Two are in middle school!) I haven’t really started planning much yet though….these summer months are too important to waste one second!
Kelsey says
Hoping to go somewhere this summer. I really want Washington,D.C. I have never been and I really want to go while Obama is in office. Trying to find out the best way to both travel and also where to stay.
Lisa says
I don’t really get to travel much, but I still enjoy getting ideas for the future. Right now I spend my free time preparing for my someday classroom, so that I can be as prepared for my first year of teaching as possible.
Dana S says
Our travel plans usually include lots of family. I love to go to places that are historic. I always bring back something from where we go and share it with my students, especially pictures. One year we went to Jamestown & I shared souvenirs and pictures with my students. Four years later, they still remember that trip!
Peggy Haynes says
I love historic places. I used to make books for my kids when we traveled with all the relevent stuff for each state, and pictures to color. Now I do that for my grandchildren. I am ready to start planning for this year. Thanks for the good tips.