How to Save Money During Your Spring Break Vacation

You don't have to make it rain to have a good time on spring break. Here are a few tips and tricks to cut corners and save money on vacation.

Your bags are packed and you’re ready to go. But you spent most of your travel budget on a plane ticket and hotel room. How are you supposed to have the most epic trip ever now? Don’t worry, spring breaker: you don’t have to make it rain to have a good time. There are a lot of ways to cut corners on vacation to save money for the spring break essentials, like sunscreen. And glow sticks. #necessities

Find local flyers

Cutting coupons may not be the coolest spring break activity, but paying full price when you don’t have to isn’t either. Welcome centers, hotel lobbies, gas stations, and grocery stores will all have stands full of brochures and flyers for area attractions, restaurants, and activities. They often feature discounts, group deals, BOGOs, etc. Grab all the ones that interest you; if they don’t offer any deals, check websites like Groupon or LivingSocial to see if they’re featured. You’ll be happy you took the time to look when everyone else is paying more than you for the same exact thing.

Cook in your kitchen

Going out to eat every day can add up. Just like back on campus, it’s more economical to buy groceries and make some meals at home. So if your hotel room or beach house has a kitchen, take advantage of it! Hit up the grocery store after you check in and stock up on things that can feed a group—spaghetti, rotisserie chicken, bags of frozen munchies—as well as sandwich fixin’s for easy lunches to bring to the beach or pool.

Hit up happy hour

When you do go out, happy hour can be a college kid’s best friend. Many bars and restaurants offer discount food and drink during slower times of the day, usually between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. Ask the bartender or waitress what today’s specials are or if they offer any discounts with a student ID. If you’re not old enough to imbibe, you can still take advantage of bar snacks or half-price appetizers. Use an app like the Happy Hour Finder to see what fun spots are near you.

Take cheaper transportation

Renting cars and calling cabs can be big money drains. Your hotel may offer free or cheaper transportation, like shuttles or bicycles. Golf-cart taxis that run on tips are also becoming popular around bars and beachy areas. Ask the hotel if any of these options are available to you. Not only will they save you money, they’ll also spare you the headache of driving around in circles fighting for a parking spot.

Enjoy the best things in life

They’re free, after all! Lying in a hammock, tossing a Frisbee on the beach, playing card games with friends—there’s a ton of vacation activities that don’t require you to open up your wallet. But if you do feel like going wild and crazy out on the town some night, you should have a little extra money to spend if you follow these tips.

Have a fun spring break, and make good choices!

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Claire Carter

Claire Carter

Claire Carter is the Director of Content at CollegeXpress and a proud alumna of the University of Maine. Go Blue! 

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Jeannie Borin, MEd

Jeannie Borin, MEd

President and Founder, College Connections

I frequently visit CollegeXpress to answer questions from students and parents. There are countless hot topics in admissions that need to be addressed. I enjoy reading what my colleagues post and gain additional insight from different perspectives.

Tariq Adam Khatib

Tariq Adam Khatib

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress helped me a lot. I am a Tanzania boy who finished my high school studies in Tanzania. I never knew I could get an opportunity to get a scholarship to study abroad. I am happy that now I know how to find the school to study abroad through CollegeXpress.

Rayan Hamdan

Rayan Hamdan

High School Student

I joined CollegeXpress just a few months ago. I had been struggling with severe anxiety, causing me to not be able to tour schools and make sure a college would be perfect for me. I came across CollegeXpress one day when I was searching for colleges online, and it completely changed the game. I was easily able to choose colleges that would suit me, and I also entered a few giveaways! Thank you so much!

Khush

Khush

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress is a multi-maneuver platform that has been helping students in their college applications and scholarship hunt process. For me, CollegeXpress has been a boon. I've been able to find my dream university via CX, and I've also been able to apply to thousands of scholarships through it. All the thanks to CollegeXpress for doing such a great job for free. I express my sincere gratitude to you for doing such a wonderful job. I recommend CollegeXpress without any reservations.

Tinuola Dada

Tinuola Dada

$2,000 Community Service Scholarship Winner, 2015

I am very excited to be this year's recipient of the Multicultural Student Community Service Scholarship. This scholarship will bring me ever closer to my academic and professional goals. CollegeXpress has been an exceptional resource to me, and I recommend it to all rising seniors as they begin to navigate the college application process.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Emerson College

Boston, MA

Transylvania University

Lexington, KY

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, IA

Simpson College

Indianola, IA