Get Financially Fit! | Spring Break on a Budget

Spring Break on a Budget
Written by Jen Bailey, WESTconsin Credit Union

Spring Break is coming up! Do you still need to make travel plans? Well look no further! Here are a some tips to help you save money on your travel arrangements.

1. Use Discounts/Coupons
• Search sites such as Groupon and RetailMeNot for coupons and discounts on travel. Also, look into your memberships and loyalty programs. Travel clubs, such as AAA, offer discounted products and services for air, car, hotel, tour and cruise. Many airlines offer loyalty programs. If you are a frequent flyer, check with your airline to see if you qualify for discounts or special offers. Last but not least, if you are a credit union member, your credit union may offer products that come with travel discounts. Another site to check out is lovemycreditunion.org. Love My Credit Union Rewards helps credit union members save money on the products and services they use every day.
2. Compare Online Deals
• Companies such as Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, Hotwire, and Travelocity offer discounts on last-minute travel, hotel and car rentals. Compare prices! If you can be flexible, consider flights with multiple stops or perhaps even a red-eye. Travel search engine, Kayak.com, can help you search multiple travel sites at once.
3. Book Last Minute 
• If you are willing to fly by the seat of your pants (pun intended), there are plenty of great last-minute deals to be had. Last-minute deals arise when airlines and hotels need to fill seats and rooms. These deals typically do not last long, so be sure to do your research ahead of time—read the small print and understand fully what you're getting for the money and what you're not. Sites like those mentioned under Compare Online Deals can help you keep track of these deals. Many of these sites even offer deal alerts via email and/or text.
  
4. Stay Local 
• If all else fails and you just can't seem to fit a destination vacation into your budget, stay local. Arrange a spa day for yourself or a fun-filled weekend for the family at a local resort.

For additional Spring Break savings, check out Spring Break Travel Tips written by Jon Lal, founder and CEO of BeFrugal.com.