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You are here: Home / Family Life / How (and Why) to Make Family Travel a Priority

How (and Why) to Make Family Travel a Priority

August 2, 2016 By Angie Kauffman · PRINTABLES TIP: Always go toward the end of a post to find the printable. · Disclosure: This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. {I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.}

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When our children were younger, travel meant holiday visits to see family. As they got a little older, I had a sudden strong urge to start taking trips with them that didn’t just mean visiting family for holidays. Since Eric and I both grew up not taking many trips, I wanted everyone to start having more travel experiences.

If you have done much traveling, you know that even small trips can really strain a budget. However, after we started doing a little bit of traveling, we started trying to make a concerted effort to save and make room in our budget for more trips.

If you’ve been putting off family travel because of the expense, I encourage you to start making it a priority. Special memories are formed through travel. There is just something about getting away from the normal routine and setting out on an adventure with your family. In the everyday grind of life, it’s easy to lose perspective.  For us, travel sometimes helps us bring back that focus, which is why saving money for trips is a family priority.  Family travel seem too daunting or expensive? Here are ways to make it work, and why you should be traveling with your family.

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Speaking of some extra money, make sure to read through this post and get all the way to the bottom for your chance at a $100 gift card!

Trips Don’t Have to Be Far Away

You might be putting off traveling with your family because you have in mind that trips need to take you far from home. They don’t! Last summer, we had some extra money and decided that a trip to Chicago would be fun. Even though that’s just a few hours from where we live, we had never made Chicago a destination before. Chicago Theater We had a great time exploring some museums, shopping, eating and even using a portable ping pong set that we bought in our hotel room. It was a great chance for family bonding, and it only took us a few hours away. Where could you explore with your family that’s within an easy drive from home?

Trips Don’t Have to Be Expensive

For a few years in a row, when we first started being serious about making travel happen, we rented a rustic cabin in a state park and spent long weekends there. It was a great chance to reconnect with nature, learn new things and spend some quality family time together. camping trip

Watch for Deals to Help with Traveling

Finding ways to save up money is a great way to make travel happen for your family and so is watching for deals on things like vacation packages, airline tickets, hotels and more. When I saw a great airline deal last summer that said flights as low as $49 one-way, I decided to take a peek and see where we could go for that amount. When I saw that one of the options was Washington D.C., I knew that we had a Fall Break trip awaiting us. Washington Monument While we did have the expenses of Metro cards, food and a hotel, Washington D.C. offered up days and days worth of free things to see. We would have missed that if I hadn’t checked out possible deals.

Splurge on Bigger Trips When You Can

The first time we managed to go to Disney World as a family (because of a gift from my grandpa), it was so magical that I knew we had to do it again soon. In fact, I may have said that right as we were driving off of the property. Eric said, “Sure. You find a way to pay for it, and we can go again next year.”

Apparently that was all the challenge I needed! I carefully saved money from different sources to make sure that I could pay for us to fly there and cover all of our Disney World expenses for a week. Careful savings made it possible to enjoy a big family trip and pay for it all ahead of time.

Christmas at Disney World

Find Ways to Save for Traveling (or Whatever is Important to Your Family)

There are many things you can do to save for traveling, or whatever is important to you and your family. Whether you try to bring in some additional cash by doing extra work or by cutting out (or down) on some regular expenses, you could use that money for more adventures, more wonder and more memories. 

One way you can save every day is with the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card. Since you can earn 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases, it means that all those trips to the grocery store and the gas station could really add up (especially since the rewards don’t expire)! U.S. Bank is dedicated to making possible happen for its customers and communities. What is your possible that you want to make happen? 365 days of more simplicity? 365 days of more adventures?

As an added bonus to applying for the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card, you could earn a $100 Customer Relationship Bonus! U.S. Bank is offering $100 for people who spend $500 in the first 3 months with the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card and have a relationship with U.S. Bank.  If you do not have a relationship with the bank, you may still open a card and receive the bonus if done within 30 days.  (You will need to apply online to earn the bonus, although the card is available online, through the call center and at branches.)

What travel necessity would you first spend your cash back on? Leave a comment for a chance to win a $100 gift card. 

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3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

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This sweepstakes runs from 8/1/2016– 8/31/2016

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Filed Under: Family Life, Travels

About Angie Kauffman

Angie, mom to three very fun kids, is the founder of Real Life at Home.  With degrees in elementary education (B.A.) and special education (M.S.Ed.), as well as being a former homeschooler, she is passionate about supporting both parents and teachers by providing printables, crafts, and activities to help children learn and grow.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alicia S. says

    August 2, 2016 at 11:31 am

    I would get snacks! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Emily H says

    August 2, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    I’d spend my money on gasoline! It may not be glamorous, but it’s definitely a necessity when it comes to traveling and commuting!

    Reply
  3. Will G says

    August 2, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    I would spend it on a nice camera.

    Reply
  4. heather says

    August 2, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    The first travel necessity that I would spend my cash back on would be gas and snacks for the road.

    Reply
  5. Will G says

    August 2, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/760587485864923141

    Reply
  6. Mami2jcn says

    August 2, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    I would buy luggage for my daughter.

    Reply
  7. Mami2jcn says

    August 2, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/760648651635040256

    Reply
  8. Elena says

    August 2, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    I would buy a camera

    Reply
  9. Elena says

    August 2, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/760679102143537152

    Reply
  10. Cindy says

    August 3, 2016 at 2:56 am

    I would spend it on rolling luggage.

    Reply
  11. Cindy says

    August 3, 2016 at 2:58 am

    https://twitter.com/benz1171/status/760731278555619328

    Reply
  12. Amy Tong says

    August 3, 2016 at 3:57 am

    Great tips and thanks for sharing. the travel necessity I would spend my cash back on is grocery! We all love to pack treats and snacks on road trips
    amy [at] uTry [dot] it

    Reply
  13. Amy Tong says

    August 3, 2016 at 3:58 am

    tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/760746604953415680

    amy [at] uTry [dot] it

    Reply
  14. Julie Wood says

    August 3, 2016 at 8:01 am

    My luggage is outdated so I would buy some new modern luggage to take a trip with.

    Reply
  15. Julie Wood says

    August 3, 2016 at 8:01 am

    tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/760807736078585856

    Reply
  16. Rosa Osorio says

    August 3, 2016 at 8:49 am

    I will buy a new luggage, and have extra for gas and food.

    Reply
  17. Cheryl B says

    August 3, 2016 at 9:54 am

    My travel necessity would be gasoline to get to my mini getaway.

    Reply
  18. Cheryl B says

    August 3, 2016 at 9:55 am

    https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/760836429857652737

    Reply
  19. Natalie says

    August 3, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    I would use the cash back to buy luggage! I do not own a single piece of luggage for travel! I have been borrowing a friend’s suitcase.

    Reply
  20. Natalie says

    August 3, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/760940892794552320

    Reply
  21. Jessie C. says

    August 3, 2016 at 10:47 pm

    I would first spend my cash back on quality travel bags.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

    Reply
  22. Jessie C. says

    August 3, 2016 at 10:48 pm

    tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/761030276117962753

    Reply
  23. Kelly D says

    August 4, 2016 at 11:02 am

    I would buy a new travel cooler for snacks and drinks.

    Reply
  24. Kelly D says

    August 4, 2016 at 11:03 am

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/761215830289895424

    Reply
  25. Jessica To says

    August 4, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    I would buy a nice luggage set for my son and I.

    Reply
  26. Steve Weber says

    August 4, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    I would spend the money on a charger powerbank

    groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com

    Reply
  27. Jeffrey says

    August 4, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    With an upcoming road trip I would set the money aside for gas. We will be driving to Florida and back, 17 hours each way!

    Reply
  28. Jeffrey says

    August 4, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    I posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/761323963410706432.

    Reply
  29. Erika says

    August 7, 2016 at 12:27 am

    I would spend it on some books and activities to keep the kids busy in the car, and I would spend the rest doing memorable things with our family on a vacation.

    chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  30. DeAnn says

    August 9, 2016 at 7:55 am

    I would buy a portable DVD player for the kids. We love singing songs, so this would be an easy way to play the songs and sing!

    Reply
  31. Lisa Brown says

    August 11, 2016 at 5:50 am

    I would buy a quality carry-on piece of luggage with wheels.
    jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

    Reply
  32. Lisa Brown says

    August 11, 2016 at 5:51 am

    tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/763674040162672640
    jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

    Reply
  33. Mita says

    August 11, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/763825228464189440

    Reply
  34. Mita says

    August 11, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    I would buy a luggage set.

    Reply
  35. Rachel says

    August 11, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    The travel necessity I would buy is a quality set of luggage.

    Reply
  36. Rachel says

    August 11, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/763902728787652609

    Reply
  37. Elle says

    August 12, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    I would spend it on a nice quality camera for lots of picture taking.

    Reply
  38. Elle says

    August 12, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/764180491654180864

    Reply
  39. Jennifer says

    August 12, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    I would spend it on a nice meal at our destination. We always try to get a condo with a kitchen, but eat out a few nights.

    Reply
  40. BusyWorkingMama says

    August 17, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    I would probably spend it on a nice new camera. Thank you for the chance to win!

    Reply
  41. natasha lamoreux says

    August 18, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    https://twitter.com/Natashalamoreu1/status/766430646856278021

    Reply
  42. natasha lamoreux says

    August 18, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    I would use this to offset some of the expense of gas as we travel.

    Reply
  43. Tracy Bua Smith says

    August 18, 2016 at 11:59 pm

    I would use it on gas and food while on the road!

    Reply
  44. Mara Gieseke says

    August 19, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    Since we are fans of the beach, I would spend it on sunscreen and extra sunglasses!!

    Reply
  45. Vicki Olejarczyk says

    August 19, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    Would buy a plug in cooler.

    Reply
  46. Madeline says

    August 19, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    I need a GPS system so I don’t get lost!

    Reply
  47. Madeline says

    August 19, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/766823210788663296

    Reply
  48. Cynthia C says

    August 21, 2016 at 11:40 am

    I would probably use it for groceries for a condo vacation at the beach.

    Reply
  49. Cynthia C says

    August 21, 2016 at 11:41 am

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/clc408/status/767385946488733696

    Reply
  50. Tina M says

    August 21, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    I’d buy a makeup travel kit.

    Reply
  51. Tina M says

    August 21, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/767442455591608320

    Reply
  52. Margaret Smith says

    August 21, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    I would use it towards buying some luggage. Thanks so much

    Reply
  53. Margaret Smith says

    August 21, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/767474788394758144
    Thanks again.

    Reply
  54. Rebecca Graham says

    August 23, 2016 at 2:49 am

    I would buy snacks and gas.

    Reply
  55. Barbara Montag says

    August 23, 2016 at 3:06 am

    I would first get a carry on tote for all of the extras.
    thank you

    Reply
  56. Barbara Montag says

    August 23, 2016 at 3:07 am

    Tweeted https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/767980988311834624

    Reply
  57. Tina W says

    August 23, 2016 at 3:39 am

    First I would buy a new window shade to keep some of the brutal summer sun out of my car. Then I would get some beach towels, load up the family and head to the coast!!!

    Reply
  58. Tina W says

    August 23, 2016 at 3:40 am

    Tweeted; https://twitter.com/tinawoo21/status/767989873726722048

    Reply
  59. maria cantu says

    August 23, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Gas!

    Reply
  60. Tamra H says

    August 23, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    I would spend it on a new book to read on the trip!

    Reply
  61. Tamra H says

    August 23, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    tweet: https://twitter.com/Twenteries/status/768172697947746305

    Reply
  62. Susan Smith says

    August 23, 2016 at 8:20 pm

    I would spend the money on new luggage. Mine is pretty old.

    Reply
  63. Susan Smith says

    August 23, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/768241697700446208

    Reply
  64. Stephanie Phelps says

    August 25, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    The first travel necessityI would get is some new luggage!

    Reply
  65. Stephanie Phelps says

    August 25, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    I tweeted
    https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/768844608860217348

    Reply
  66. LaTanya says

    August 27, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    I would get new luggage

    Reply
  67. LaTanya says

    August 27, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/769568477992591360

    Reply
  68. Erica Best says

    August 27, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    I would buy a carry-on never had one before

    Reply
  69. Erica Best says

    August 27, 2016 at 7:33 pm

    https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/769679131848110080

    Reply
  70. eliza elliott says

    August 28, 2016 at 1:54 am

    I’d spend it on something fun for the family! truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com

    Reply
  71. eliza elliott says

    August 28, 2016 at 1:55 am

    https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/769775122014015488

    Reply
  72. Janice Cooper says

    August 28, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    I would buy a couple of good carry on bags

    Reply
  73. Janice Cooper says

    August 28, 2016 at 11:05 pm

    https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/770094850297458689

    Reply
  74. Betty C says

    August 29, 2016 at 3:15 am

    My trips are mainly by car so I would buy gas.

    Reply
  75. Betty C says

    August 29, 2016 at 3:16 am

    Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/770158078717067265

    Reply
  76. Kerry says

    August 29, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    New luggage!

    Reply
  77. Kerry says

    August 29, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/770440002580975616

    Reply
  78. Susan Christy says

    August 30, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    I’d spend it on gas – a real necessity on a road trip!

    Reply
  79. Ellie Wright says

    August 30, 2016 at 10:52 pm

    I would spend it on a few new clothes,
    which I would need if I was going to travel.

    Reply
  80. Ellie Wright says

    August 30, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    tweeted

    https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/770816266869374976

    Reply
  81. Thomas Murphy says

    August 31, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    I would buy new luggage.

    Reply
  82. Thomas Murphy says

    August 31, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/771073774879928320

    Reply
  83. Kristen says

    August 31, 2016 at 6:03 pm

    I’d spend it on a hotel stay.

    Reply
  84. Kristen says

    August 31, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/771106086866649088

    Reply
  85. Debbie B says

    September 1, 2016 at 12:15 am

    i posted a tweet here:

    https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/771199507342041090

    Reply
  86. Debbie B says

    September 1, 2016 at 12:19 am

    i would like to buy a new travel tote bag and a new charging cable for my cell phone

    Reply
  87. Jerry Marquardt says

    September 1, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    I would first spend my cash back on obtaining a brand new car.

    Reply
  88. Jerry Marquardt says

    September 1, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/771419825675665408

    Reply
  89. Tabathia B says

    September 1, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    Probably a portable car charger and a first aid kit

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  90. Tabathia B says

    September 1, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/771428426389544960

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  91. Anastasia Falling says

    September 1, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    One thing I MUST have when I travel is… batteries!! I never want to run out of power when taking pictures!

    Reply
  92. Anastasia Falling says

    September 1, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/771467579403538433

    Reply
  93. Kathryn C says

    September 1, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    my #SweepstakesEntry tweet:

    https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/771470890563407877

    Reply
  94. Kathryn C says

    September 1, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    #SweepstakesEntry – comment

    I would apply any cash back towards renewing my US Passport

    Reply
  95. Noel Q says

    October 27, 2016 at 12:31 am

    I would use it to rent snorkel gear and boogie boards on out family Vacation

    Reply
  96. Noel Q says

    October 27, 2016 at 12:39 am

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/momof5Qts/status/791499304988913664

    Reply

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Meet Angie

Angie, mom to three very fun kids, is the founder of Real Life at Home.  With degrees in elementary education (B.A.) and special education (M.S.Ed.), as well as being a former homeschooler, she is passionate about supporting both parents and teachers by providing printables, crafts, and activities to help children learn and grow. Read More…

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