Top 10 tips for getting away with great family deals

It's been a long winter, spring is right around the corner as well as SPRING BREAK! Do you have Spring Break plans or are you like so many people, feeling the money crunch? Well, let me tell you, you don't have to spend a ton of money to have a little fun. Air travel has skyrocketed and with the price you have to pay for your baggage who wants to even pack clothes, then of course, you have the good ole pat down at security, that's not my idea of the beginning of a great family vacation!

Road Trip. To some, that may scream DISASTER....really, it doesn't have to be! My sister recently went on a road trip from WI to FL with her 4 young children, they survived and did it on a budget. I just returned from a 2 month RV trip with the hubby, 2 teens and a pooch, we survived, barely (but that's another story) In order to have a successful road trip, meaning one where you return home with the same amount of family members as you left with just takes some careful planning!

Does a road trip have to be far? Nope. I bet there are some great places right in your state that offer a great get-away, I'll leave that up to you, but here are some ideas to help you get away and save a few dimes and your sanity along the way!

1. Join AAA, notice that's 3 A's not 2! They offer free maps, brochures, roadside assistance, from experience I can say it's awesome!

2. Do your research, check gas prices there are many sites that list cheapest places to buy gas/fuel.

3. Plan ahead, buy healthy snacks before you leave instead of at convenience stores.

4. Pack sandwiches for along the trip instead of stopping for fast food.

5. Entertainment, keep the kids busy by printing off car games online, be creative, make your own games, all it will cost is the price of your paper and ink.

6. If you're staying at a hotel book well in advance, don't just accept the rate they give you, usually they have cheaper rates, you just need to ask.

7. Kids like to buy things on a trip, set aside a set amount of money, or give them a set amount to use, once it's gone, well...it's gone.

8. Coupons, coupons, coupons. Even when you travel you can use coupons.

9. Get a hotel with continental breakfast, you'll have one free meal!

10. Better yet, if you don't want to plan a long road trip, stay close to home, research the fun around you, pack a lunch, a camera and make it a day trip!

There are so many ways to have an enjoyable get away. Sometimes a spur of the moment get away will have longer lasting memories than a great planned out vacation. Structure isn't always for the best!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”