The family holiday has been portrayed in many ways. From National Lampoon’s “Vacation” showing the trials and tribulations of the Griswold family trying to get to “Wally World” to “The Great Outdoors” with John Candy and his family renting out a cabin in the woods only to encounter a meddling bear. Family holidays in the media seem to be one thing going wrong after another.

But in real life, the family holiday is a time for bonding as a family unit and to enjoy newfound times of closeness while exploring new adventures and places. The memories you take home from your holidays will stay with you for years and give your children special moments they’ll treasure forever.

You can choose to drive cross country and see the roadside attractions, visit historical sites, head for the coast or even explore the national parks, but some don’t look at this as a true holiday. After all, being stuck in a car for the majority of the trip can breed some real family strife!

You could also book a family cruise or fly to far-away destinations to spend time at a resort, but this can get pricey, and with all the activities they have for children, some parents fear the bonding they were looking forward to won’t happen.

For the family on a budget, the notion of a memorable and fun-filled holiday may seem out of reach. That’s simply not true, anymore. There are many, many ways you can have a terrific family holiday while on a budget. You don’t have to sacrifice fun because of a lack of money. There are all kinds of holidays on offer that can be had within almost every budget.

While travelling is good for the economy and for your soul, it can be hard on your wallet. In fact, experts estimate that a family of four should budget at least £250 per day for meals, lodging and automobile travel costs. And that figure doesn’t include the staple of family holidays—entertainment. As usual, the best way to keep the costs down is to plan ahead and make informed decisions.

But how do you start? You start with family input, a survey of your resources, and a well-thought out plan. This website will not only show you how to do that easily, but we’ll also give you all kinds of ideas for family holidays and ways that you can make them affordable and fun!

Always dreamed of going to Disney World? You can! Think the Caribbean is out of reach? It’s not! We’ve compiled the advice and suggestions from many holiday experts and added some of our own experiences as well to give you this comprehensive guide to taking a family holiday on a budget!

We’ll show you different ways to save money on airfare, hotels, transportation, and eating. We’ll also give you some great specific ideas for family holidays that won’t break the bank along with some suggestions to help you save money and time in general while on your family getaway.

Whether it’s a summer trip, spring break jaunt, or wintering in the tropics, you’ll be able to plan your dream holiday without breaking the bank. You’ll get maximum fun without sacrificing every penny of your hard earned money – and you may even come back with a little extra to save for that next great holiday!

What are you waiting for?

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PART 2: SAVING FOR YOUR HOLIDAY

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