Everyone wants to know how we travel so much. Simple. Keep it cheap aka always look for a bargain! Timewise, we homeschool so we are not bound to the school calendar, and we don't work for other people so we are not bound by THEIR schedule.
So, how do you keep all the day to day cost down? Take hotels for example, average cost for an average hotel (Day's Inn, Best Western) seems to be right at $100/night. Well, for starters, be prepared. I am sure Priceline.com has it's merits, but truthfully, I've never used them. Especially on a road trip, it doesn't make much sense as likely or not, we don't know where we are gonna end up. What if we decide to push further that day? Or if we found a really cool Swedish village like Kingsburg, KS and decide to stop for lunch or spend a couple hours seeing the town?
This is where Travel Buddy comes in handy!
In my previous post, I mentioned getting a discount book like this one for hotels. They are found at local Denny's, or gas stations and truck stops. Look at the cover, because sometimes you find one for an area you are not going to, like the midwest but you are expecting to be in New Mexico that night.
I can remember only one time this book did not pay off, and that was because the AAA discount was better. It has never happened again. It is important to note that not every hotel for an area is in here....but what is listed is a fair showing. Besides, they tell you what is included for each hotel, like wi-fi or breakfast! Again, hotels that serve free breakfast are such a bargain. These days, you can find basic hotels that will even serve scrambled eggs or sausage!
Typically, we can find a hotel, that serves breakfast, for our family of five for around $50!!! :)
Who doesn't like that?
Did you know Hosteling is world-wide and not just for back-packers anymore? Again, check the area you are going to, they come in every price-range as well.
Before we had kids, we stayed at the YMCA in Seattle, (the Seattle YWCA did not allow men). I believe we paid around $20/night! Of course, that was arouond 15 yrs ago....these will only be in urban/city areas and sometimes are the same price of regular hotels, so be sure to check!
One last thing we have always employed, is to look up family, even ones we have never met, or friends you may not have even talked to in years! Your friends are friends for a reason, maybe they don't have the time or $ to travel either, but will gladly put you for the night for a chance to reconnect! Especially if you give them a day or two notice! We have wonderful memories of traveling through the San Juan islands area, and looking up my moms first cousin. I had never met her and yet she welcomed us with open arms. We had a great night getting to know them with fresh crab :) caught in her backyard, and a wonderful home cooked breakfast to boot!
Don't forget the most important rule of travel, have fun!
For all my fellow Trekkers, I will touch on flying cheap next time!
