Getting away for a vacation together is one of the most important ways to make memories as a family. When you're raising a family, especially when your kids are small, it can be difficult to afford to travel. By the time you add up travel costs, hotels, food, and admission to parks, a typical vacation can cost thousands of dollars.
But there's an easier way that puts the price of vacation within reach: exchanging homes. With a little bit of strategic planning, you can still have a great vacation even on a tight budget. Learn more about how to swap houses and why it's the perfect solution for making vacations affordable.
House swapping saves hotel costs
When you exchange houses with another family using services like HomeExchange, you cut down one of the biggest expenses associated with vacations. You still get the novelty of staying in a different place, but get to save money on hotel costs.
Not only do you save money, but you will also typically stay in a more comfortable place than the typical hotel. House swapping also gives you the opportunity to stay in a place that looks more unique than most hotels. If you live in a ranch-style home in the suburbs and wondered what it might be like to live in a beachfront condo, for example, this could be your chance to try it!
Everyone has more space
One of the biggest disadvantages of having your family stay in a hotel is that everyone is cramped into a small space. Kids generally have to share the same room with their parents and may even have to share a bed with each other.
If you have more than two kids, there may not even be enough bed space for everyone. When you stay in a house instead, there's likely to be enough space for everyone to sleep more comfortably. You'll have all the comforts of home that are often missing in a hotel, such as a traditional living room and maybe even multiple bathrooms.
Save money on food
Food costs are another big expense on vacation. When you're staying in a hotel, chances are that you have to eat most meals in restaurants. Swapping homes can help you save money on food if you have access to a kitchen and can prepare your own meals.
Even eating just one meal at home each day can really add up to big cost savings over the course of an entire vacation. If your budget is really tight, you can eat every meal at home and spend more of your money on making memories.
Children may have more play areas
Young children sometimes get restless and squirrelly when they're cooped up for long periods of time. Vacations often require kids to sit still for longer periods of time, such as while driving or while waiting in lines at amusement parks or events.
But little kids need opportunities to move around and burn off some of that energy and most hotels don't offer that freedom. When you trade houses with another family, there may be more space available for kids to run around and play. There may be a backyard or even swings or slides for them to use.
Just because you're traveling on a budget doesn't mean you should give up on your dream of having a fun family getaway. Look at affordable options like house swapping instead. Not only can you save money, but you can even have a more comfortable experience that you'd prefer on any budget!
