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.
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!
I am intrigued by the rolled clothing. Don't they come out wrinkled? I'm always fussing at my children to lay their clothes flat. Of course, they purely ball them up, which isn't the same as rolling! ;D
ReplyDeleteI generally try to take things that don't wrinkle as much--Denims, knits, and such. They are generally flexible enough that rolling doesn't cause too much wrinkling. However, if there is some kind of cotton or linen that does wrinkle, I hang it in the bathroom while I shower. 15 Minutes of steam can smooth most major wrinkles!
ReplyDeleteAha!!! :)
ReplyDelete