Forget The Credit Card! See How To Budget For Your Big Vacation

But then—the credit card bill rears its ugly head.

How is it possible, you may wonder, that you spent that much? The truth is: it all adds up pretty fast. In fact, the average vacation cost for a family of four is $4,580—that’s $1,145 per person. So, how can you prevent credit-card shock from happening in the future? The most obvious solution is to not use a credit card at all. Sound impossible? With these simple tips, a good vacation budget calculator, and a little savvy planning, you can enjoy an amazing getaway, without the debt. Here’s how to get started:

Turn data into insights with Excel

Make better decisions backed by data and insights

Learn More

Start nixing those auto-renew memberships. When was the last time you went to that gym you joined two years ago? Do you really need that auto-club membership or do you already get roadside assistance from your dealership? How many streaming services do you actually use? Do you really watch cable anymore? What about satellite radio? Fifty bucks here, 10, 20, 30 dollars there—every month, year after year—can add up to thousands of dollars. Do a quick run through of all your “auto-renew” memberships and decide which ones are worth it—and which ones to kick to the curb. Be warned though, these types of renewals are often tricky to cancel, so be prepared to jump through some hoops. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers some helpful tips for navigating these types of cancellations. You can also dispute any unwanted charges with your credit card company if you keep getting billed after cancellation.

Get a temporary side hustle. If you have a few extra hours on the weekends, or while the kids are in school, mastering the art of a fun side hustle can earn you just enough to fund your vacation—minus the credit card . Whether you want to try your hand at food delivery, freelance writing, a part-time job at your favorite retail store, or something else—doing it for a short period of time can quickly add to your funds. Who knows? You might actually enjoy it and make it a permanent part-time gig!

Travel during the off season. Depending on where you’re going, prices can vary greatly from season to season. Luxury resort prices in Phoenix, Arizona, for example, are dirt cheap in the summer, compared to the crowded winter and fall seasons. Just be aware that you will likely spend most of your 105-degree days in a pool or enjoying the many indoor adventures, rather than outdoor attractions. As for theme parks, if you’re able to travel during times when schools are in session, rather than summer, spring break, holidays, etc., you can cut your budget in half or more.

Love the great outdoors? Explore during free national park events. Did you know there are designated free national park days every year? Imagine how much you could save just by planning ahead. For example, regular admission to the Grand Canyon can cost around $20 per individual, or $35 per carload. Spending a few days there can quickly add up. Utilizing free park day perks can save you hundreds of dollars on your outdoor adventures!

Choose a hotel with inclusive perks. Free breakfast buffet? Check! Free Wi-Fi? Awesome! Free parking? Yup! Free shuttle? Vroom! Free happy hour? Yay! These perks come standard with a lot of big hotel chains—and when you consider the money you’ll save on breakfast buffets (Hint: grab some fruit and snacks to go for later, too!) transportation, parking, cocktails, and other stuff—it really adds up. Another trick, especially for big families, is to choose a hotel with a full kitchen so you can save money and do some cooking in the room. Some hotels also have outdoor barbecue areas and other money-saving perks (like a fun pool and free activities for the kids) that’ll cut down on restaurant and entertainment costs. Be sure to take advantage of any travel discounts offered through your hotel rewards programs, or memberships like AAA, AARP, Costco, military, etc. (TIP: Be on the lookout for hidden daily hotel “fees” that aren’t included in the price of the room.)

Be realistic about what you’re going to spend. If you’re going to a theme park, for example, you’ll end up shelling out a lot more than just hotel and theme park ticket costs. There’s also gas, parking fees (which can cost $30 or more per day), rideshare costs, food, snacks, souvenirs, premium attractions, etc. Luckily, there are tons of great (and free!) travel itinerary templates and vacation budgeting worksheets out there that’ll help you plan everything out in advance, taking the guesswork about how much money you’ll need and how to save up.

Now that you’ve got the cash up-front and your budget in place—there’s no need to use a credit card at all during your trip. Consider using a debit card or prepaid credit card. If you are forced to use a credit card to book a hotel or rental car, you can just pay it off in its entirety with the money you saved when you get back. Now that’s a stress-free vacation!