1. Plan Ahead

Top 10 Money-Saving Vacation Tips

Hidden in nearly all of the preceding tips is this not-so-secret No. 1 money-saver: Plan ahead. Do your homework, think things through and consider all of your options. But be realistic; know your limits and be smart enough to tell a good money-saving idea from a penny-wise, pound-foolish headache. Spending a little extra time in advance could save you plenty of cash this summer.

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10. Crash with F... Before booking your trip, check to see if any of your friends or family members are staying in the surrounding area of your destination or along the route you plan to travel. If the schedules and personalities align, consider spending a night or two together. Bring a small token of appreciation with you, and consider it a win-win.
9. Dine Off the ... Outside of every theme park and along almost any major interstate, there are a ton of strange but delicious food finds. Most of the time, these restaurants will be inexpensive but surprisingly good. The kids will love it and so will your wallet.
8. Put Kids on a... You'll spend less money when Bobby knows he can only buy candy and souvenirs with his own cash. In the end, you'll have more money for his college education and he'll learn some fiscal responsibility.
7. Try Couch Sur... This new and unique way to make friends and lodge inexpensively may really help cut down on costs. You may not want the entire family sleeping on an unfamiliar couch but it helps to know that the option is there. To find an available couch or learn more about the couch-surfing phenomenon, visit CouchSurfing.org.
6. Pack Light You would hate to be the only family member whose bag doesn't show up when everyone arrives in Florida. Spare yourself the shame and headaches: Pack light.

Don't buy large toiletries until you arrive at your destination. Don't waste money and have them thrown out by a TSA agent. Also, packing light will help you bypass the exorbitant fees most airlines now charge for checked baggage. Carry on and be carefree! (AP Photo/Rick Maiman)
5. Consider On-S... Don't go for the Raggedy Inn just because it's cheap. It can save you money in the long run to spend a few extra bucks and get the perks. Many hotels offer free shuttles and breakfast, which will help you cut costs later.
4. Find Inexpens... Kids aren't hard to please. If you're on vacation, they may be looking for a new adventure every time they open their eyes. On a road trip, work free and low-cost activities into your schedule. You'll save money, give the family tons of lasting memories and everyone will get to stretch their legs a bit. Even if a theme park is your main destination, look into museums, parks, miniature-golf courses and local landmarks in the surrounding area. An added benefit: these stops just might give you a break from the long lines and crowds.
3. Spend Smarter Sounds simple enough... but you have to put this into action. If you're at a theme park, don't buy items inside the park that you can find elsewhere, especially food.

If you're taking a road trip, don't buy foods you won't be able to cook easily. And don't bother buying meats; even in a cooler, they don't travel well. You may be eating more than your share of vegetarian dishes but that won't hurt either.
2. Consider Majo... Are you traveling by car? If so, gas will be your biggest expense. You might be surprised to learn how widely gas prices can vary from town to town. Plan ahead and find the best fuel options along your route and at your destination. GasBuddy.com is one site that can help with this.

If you're flying, make sure you exhaust all of your options for finding cheap airfare. A couple of handy resources: TripAdvisor's SeatGuru helps you find the best seat on any model of airplane, and Bing Travel's Farecast service will let you know whether it would be a good idea to buy tickets now or later.
1. Plan Ahead Hidden in nearly all of the preceding tips is this not-so-secret No. 1 money-saver: Plan ahead. Do your homework, think things through and consider all of your options. But be realistic; know your limits and be smart enough to tell a good money-saving idea from a penny-wise, pound-foolish headache. Spending a little extra time in advance could save you plenty of cash this summer.