10 Ways to Save on Spring Break Travel

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) -  

Spring Break is right around the corner for families across the state and with a little knowledge you can save more on your travels or do more on the budget. Here are 10 ways to save on your spring break travels.

Make a plan - A plan is not just booking your hotel and figuring out if you are flying or driving. A plan needs to include your budget, the activities you want to do on your vacation, your meals and still have room for extras and just in case.

Travel off the hot dates - By taking a shorter vacation and traveling on lighter days, you get stuck in less traffic and save more on your travel and hotels.

Check with your financial institution - Think about all those extra notes you get with your bank statement or in your school newsletters. There are often discounts and bonuses for using your credit union or bank card when buying through their partner programs. 

Get money back - Some tuition based schools have a scrip program that give you a percentage back for buying gift cards through them. Use the program to order gas cards and anything else that you can use to pay your travel expenses. If you have a rewards credit or debit card make sure you are using it to pay for your reservations and then pay it off with the money from your vacation fund.

Download your apps now - Gas Buddy, Yelp, Foursquare and many others can help you find the best prices and discounts any where you go. Use Foursquare to check in when you go to destinations for upgrades, freebies and discounts.

Grab your coupons - For whatever you are planning to do. Watch for restaurant discount coupons , get your Entertainment Book for your destination city, search for retail shopping coupons if you plan to shop while on vacation or check for food coupons you might use if you are planning to grocery shop and eat in. Do a little research to find out if stores in your destination double coupons. There are many areas of the country that enjoy double coupons and if you are heading to one you should plan to take advantage of it.

Stalk the discount sites - Sign up for Groupon and Living Social to see if they have the activites you want at half off or more.

Don't over book - By making too many plans and buying tickets in advance you commit to things that might not be refundable. If it's something big that sells out make those reservations first but hold off on the other things on your list in case you find yourself pressed for time or just too tired to do it all.

When you go, be social - Once you are on vacation, talk up the desk at your hotel, your cab driver, locals you run into on the street. There's no better way to find out the best places to save, the places you won't find in the flashy brochures or the well priced local diners that don't advertise in the national magazines.

Don't blow your money on souveniers - Overpriced gift shops can be a major vacation budget downfall. Instead look for little things that mean something. A new tote bag from a chain store to hold shells, trinkets from events and brochures will keep everything together and make memories without spending too much money.

Be sure to keep an eye on Deals in the Mitten for more savings on the go and at home.