Spring Break Part Two: Fun on a Budget

Spring Break 2013

   Now that we are back from the break, it's time to break down the logistics of "#SB13."

     Spring break is a highlight of college careers everywhere. However, trips to the beach can be very expensive and often do not fit into a college budget. Thankfully, however, there are many ways to enjoy the same spring break without forfeiting your grocery money for two months.

   This year, my friends and I went to Destin, Fla., for six days and five nights. The weather cooperated, and we were able to spend three days in the sun, and three shopping and exploring all that Destin has to offer. After everything, we were all able to come back to town with enough of our funds intact--here is how.

    Thanks to our new friends Jim and Martha Moody, we were able to stay in a house for the entirety of our visit at no charge. Of course we were very appreciative of their hospitality, but we also were able to create a new friendship with two people.

    Staying with the Moodys also allowed us to save on our food costs, because we were able to bring snacks and breakfast foods, instead of going out for every meal. I personally don't eat breakfast on a daily basis, but for those of us that do, this is a great way to save money while traveling. Lunch is also something we were able to save on, as we would just take snacks and drinks to the beach instead of paying for lunch at expensive restaurants.

    In general, save eating out while traveling for times when it is also an experience. I stay away from fast-food restaurants as a principle. Eating while travel should be a part of the experience instead of an extra expense. Food can be one of the most exciting things about traveling. Souvenirs are the same way. I buy a post card everywhere that I go, meaning I average about 35 cents per souvenir. I do buy gifts and other items, but I try to stick to things that I can put to more use than sitting in a box in my closet. That way, when someone asks where I got my scarf, I can say something like "Tokyo" instead of "Walmart."

    Overall this spring break was a resounding success. We traveled the almost five hours without any excitement, spent a relaxing week at the beach without many problems and came back to campus with no problems but our sunburns. We did all of this, and stayed on budget in these ways:

• Using connections to save on lodging costs.
• Splitting the cost of gas, snacks and drinks.
• Eating out only for dinner and the occasional lunch.
• Buying souvenirs that mean something and are not just junk.

Total for "#SB13"

Gas: $150, $75 per person, per car, give or take with a trip home.

Lodging: Free (Thank you Dr. and Mrs. Moody!)

Food: $75 per person, on average.

Souvenirs: $20, personally, others spent more.

Total, I spent around $170 for six days. In my opinion, this was a successful trip.

The Pocket Change Traveler's Guide to Spring Break: Pre-Trip

Spring Break (Part-One): Pre-Trip   

    As the days warm up and everyone recovers from the Daylight Savings Time change, there is probably nothing more prominent on a college student's mind than Spring Break. There is a no more cliche connection than the one between college students and spring break, but spring break can be the high point of an entire college term, and is probably the best time to travel during the school-year.
    
Basic Preparations
     Unlike day and weekend trips, spring break plans should be made in advance to ensure frugality, efficiency, and safety.  There are the traditional hubs of celebration such as Panama City Beach, Fla. and Gulf Shores, Ala., but students also get creative and travel other places.
      Like any other trip, try to make the best out of any connections you might have in the area. If you know a family in the town you want to go, ask if you could rent out a room for the week. Usually, people are more than generous, and you can even end up staying somewhere for free.
      Especially if you plan to go somewhere busy or congested, be sure to take at least one other person. Traveling is much more fun in groups and is far more safe. Many costs can also be split between groups such as gas, food and lodging costs.

Packing Tips
      If you are sharing the ride down to the coast with a group of friends, space for luggage can be tight. Packing efficiently is a great way to save space, without feeling like you didn't bring enough clothes to wear.

      Personally, I like to take one carry-on size suit case for all clothing, a small bag for toiletries, towels, and accessories and a backpack for my laptop, reading material and other personal items. This combination is especially suited for car trips because you have a personal bag with you but can stow the bulkier luggage in the trunk or back seat. If you are flying, however, I recommend taking one carry-on size suit case, and one larger duffel bag, in addition to a purse or camera. Flight crews are generally pretty nice about the size of your "personal item," so make the best out of it.
     For packing clothing specifically, there are several things you can do to maximize the space in your bags. I roll my clothing--this creates additional space without having to sit on your suit case to get it closed.

     Try to stay organized. The fewer things that you have to buy once you reach your destination, the more money you have to spend on food and fun without going over budget. I have a great note pad that is pre-printed with a packing
 list that my mom bought me for $7.00 at Anthropologie, but there are many online resources with free ones.

Spring Break 2013

      For spring break this year, my friends and I are driving down to Destin, Fla. to spend five days, or half of our spring break, at the beach.  We were extremely fortunate through a connection to find a house to stay in for free. Though it is not right on the beach, it is in a safe neighborhood with free parking (and did I mention, it is free?). This alone saves us $600 to $700 in room costs. By taking five people in two cars, we are able to split the approximately $50 per car in gas. I have also packed breakfast foods, noodles, and snacks to suppliment any meals that I decide I would rather not pay for.

Pre-Trip Costs:

Lodging: $0.00, but a hostess-gift of bread $15.

Gas: Personally $50 round trip ($100 split between me and my friend).

   Look back next week to see what #SB13 had in store for this Pocket Change Traveler!

Road Trips Part Two: Weekend Trips

      Whether for a three-day holiday break such as Labor Day or simply a two night escape from reality, weekend road trips can be a great way to travel.  Weekend trips allow destinations that are farther away, as well as add the opportunity to engage in more sight seeing. All of this is possible without using up precious vacation time away from work.
      With weekend trips, the distance from home can be anything from four to seven hours by car. In this distance, you could theoretically travel as far as two to three states away--from Tennessee to West Virginia, for example.  Weekend trips have a lot more flexibility when it comes to destination and can be a great way to see exciting things without devoting an entire vacation. Events such as festivals, concerts and other events are great reasons to take a weekend trip to somewhere you wouldn't usually travel.
      Websites such as Trip Advisor are a great resource, especially for weekend trips. These sites have information on restaurants, shopping and attractions, all with user reviews.  Using these reviews to find can't-miss places to eat or museums that no one should miss is the best way to get the most out of your two- or three-day trip, all the while avoiding the expensive mistakes that other travelers have made.  However, because of the increased flexibility, spontaneity is much easier to accommodate into a weekend trip.

      Everyone in commercialized America knows the term "Black Friday" and the shopping madness the term denotes.  This past November, I traveled with my family to Gatlinburg, Tenn. for this national shopping holiday.  In the midst of our turkey-comas, we traveled the four hours into the Great Smokey Mountains. After shopping from midnight until 3 a.m., we checked into our modest, but comfortable, hotel.  I spent a few minutes before bed figuring out our plan for breakfast. Famous for its pancake breakfasts, Gatlinburg has dozens of great restaurants, all prices relatively the same.  I was however, able to save us a bit of money by using the hotel's complimentary coupon book.  Because we had come to shop, we did not spend a lot of time sight-seeing, but we were able to see the famous Aquarium, as well as a few other attractions.

There are many interesting things to see on weekend trips!

       For college students, traveling with family can be one of the best ways to save money.  Though it may not be as exciting as traveling with friends, if your parents are offering to take you somewhere, it can be a great way to explore without spending on more than souvenirs.
For this reason, my total personal spending for this trip was approximately $30 for souvenirs and postcards.