Lynnae McCoy is a freelance writer, homeschooling mom and frugal living enthusiast. She writes about frugal living at Being Frugal.net and about balancing work and homeschooling at Freelance Homeschool Mom. When she has a rare spare moment, you can find her on Twitter.
Fall officially begins on September 22, and the weather will be cooling down soon, too. If you’re looking for a last minute warm weather getaway, now is the time to do it! Fortunately, with summer coming to an end, bargains can be found in the travel industry. Here are a few ideas for a fabulous end of the summer getaway that will keep your account balances up!
Wait until the weekend after Labor Day. For many hotels, resorts and vacation venues, summer season officially runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you can wait to travel until the weekend after Labor Day, you may be able to get a great deal on a hotel! Check their seasonal rates before you book.
Go camping. Camping can be a very inexpensive activity, and the weather in early September may be more tolerable than the heat of early August. If you can swing going mid-week, you can probably find a quiet campground, too. Plus, if you wait until after kids go back to school, you’ll have the pick of prime campsites!
Rent a vacation home. This late in the season, many families have already taken their vacations. This is a benefit to you if you can find a vacation home with a cancellation. Owners hoping to squeeze a little more income out of vacation season may be willing to cut you a deal if you can fill a last minute vacancy. It never hurts to ask.
Use services like Priceline. If you’re feeling adventurous, book a hotel room on Priceline.com. You won’t know where you’re staying until after you’ve paid, but Priceline can often secure great prices for hotel rooms that haven’t sold. If you have children, though, keep in mind Priceline only guarantees a room for two.
The end of the official summer season can be a great time to take a weekend getaway. Since fewer people travel so close to the start of the school year, you’re bound to find a bargain and save money somewhere!
