Big Adventures, Smart Budgets: How to Design Your Dream Vacation Without Going Into Debt

 Let’s face it—just the idea of planning a big vacation can feel overwhelming, especially when you start thinking about the cost. Flights, hotels, meals, tickets, gas, extra fun…it adds up fast. I’ve been there. As busy parents with full schedules (and a tight budget), we started early figuring out ways to save for family vacations. Having grown up as a military BRAT, family travel was a big part of my life and still is. My daughters grew up in a family of two public school teachers and many times, we were questioned as to HOW we can afford to take such great family vacations. Family vacations are a priority for us, and we figured out how to make it work.

Budget Family Vacation Planning in 6 Smart Steps

• Start with your total budget
• Prioritize what matters most
• Travel during shoulder season
• Mix up your meals
• Book stays with perks
• Expect the unexpected

Scroll on for detailed tips, real-life examples, and my favorite tried and true hacks!

It wasn’t without trial and error though. Take our first trip to Grand Teton National Park back in 2009. I had planned out the flights, the rental car, our lodging near Jackson Hole—everything was lining up beautifully. But what I didn’t do was budget for meals. I was so used to our Disney trips, where the dining plan took care of everything, that I completely underestimated how much we’d spend feeding a hungry family of four out West. By day three, we had blown through the food part of our budget. Lesson learned: food is not included when you leave the magic bubble of Disney!

But that trip, hiccups and all, became one of our favorites—and it kicked off a whole new way of thinking about travel planning. Over the years, I’ve learned that you can take amazing vacations without blowing your budget. In fact, having a solid plan in place has helped us travel more often, with less stress, and more joy. And here’s the kicker: budgeting for a trip doesn’t take the fun out of it—it actually helps create space for the fun to happen.

In this post, I’m sharing the real tips and tricks we’ve picked up through trial, error, and a whole lot of road trips, flights, and family memories. Whether you’re saving for your first big adventure or trying to make your next trip even more doable, read on!

So grab a cup of coffee, open your notes app (or your favorite notebook), and let’s dive into how to budget smartly, dream big, and make your next family getaway not just possible—but unforgettable.

Departing – The Final Countdown to Your Family Vacation

Welcome back to Seldom A Dull Moment! If you’ve made it this far, congratulations—you’ve navigated the planning phase and are on the brink of departure! At this point, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and stress, wondering, “Did I remember everything?” or “How do I keep my kids engaged from takeoff to touchdown?”

In Part 1, we explored the joy of dreaming together as a family. In Part 2, we tackled the planning process to create a trip that excites everyone. Now, in Part 3, it’s time for the real adventure to begin. Let’s talk about departure day—how to keep things smooth, stress-free, and fun for the whole family from the moment you walk out the door!

Interested in reading the first 3 posts in this series? Click the links below.

• Intro Post...Dream, Design, Depart: How to Plan a Family Vacation That Everyone Will Love

• Part 1...Dreaming About Your Family Vacation: Getting Everyone Involved

• Part 2...Designing Your Dream Vacation, WITH Your Kids Help

Getting Ready to Depart! Let's Go!

As departure day approaches, the excitement for your family vacation reaches its peak. The lead-up to departing is just as significant as the dreaming and designing stages. This phase presents an invaluable opportunity for the whole family to connect on a deeper level before embarking on the adventure of a lifetime.

Dreaming About Your Family Vacation: Getting Everyone Involved

            

                     

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” — John Lennon

Planning a family vacation can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’re trying to balance the needs and desires of your big kids with your own. But what if the key to a successful vacation lies not in the details, but in the dreaming? In my book DREAM, DESIGN, DEPART: A Guide to Creating the Perfect Family Vacation, the first step to any family vacation is dreaming about it together. Dreaming allows your family to come together, share visions of what the trip could be, and set the foundation for a vacation that everyone will be excited about.

Get your copy today!

In this approach, the journey begins with dreaming. Before booking flights, choosing hotels, or planning out activities, take time to think about what your family wants from this experience. Once you’ve dreamed together, the next step is designing the perfect itinerary that meets everyone’s needs. Finally, when the plans are set, you’re ready to depart and enjoy the trip you’ve created together.

Today, let’s focus on dreaming—how to get your whole family involved in envisioning the vacation, especially your big kids, and set the tone for a memorable trip.