Thrifty Ways to Save Money on Your Family Vacation

Think your budget is too squeezed for a family vacation? A summer vacation doesn't have to cost a lot of money as long as you willing to get a little creative.

Thanks to auto club memberships and Entertainment books, it's possible to score discounts between 10-50% off popular attractions, restaurants, and lodging at your favorite vacation hot spots. Calling ahead for a vacation planner from the Chamber of Commerce for your destination city or the State Tourism board can also help trim costs.

In addition to the traditional go-to-Disneyland type of vacations, our family has taken plenty of low cost vacations that fit nicely within even a thrifty budget. Here's three thrifty ways we discovered that help lower vacation costs.

1. Stay with relatives or house swap. Staying with relatives is a great way to save on vacation costs, providing that they are agreeable to the idea, have the room, and that you are willing to reciprocate by letting them stay at your place. If your home or theirs is too small for a crowd, consider house swapping instead.

2. Rent a yurt. When the kids were smaller, we used to go camping every summer for the ultimate thrifty vacation. These days, a family can leave the tents & cook gear at home and rent one of the many dozens of yurts available through the National Forest Service. We've seen prices as low as $22 a night, for more information about renting a yurt for your vacation, check out yurts.com.

3. Take a volunteer vacation. A volunteer vacation is another great way to take a cheap vacation. With these vacations, families work several hours a day planting trees, grooming trails, or building cabins in exchange for free lodging and meals. Check out Americanhiking.org and volunteeramerica.net for some great volunteer vacation ideas.