COUPONING ON THE ROAD
Now that school is officially out for the summer, it’s time to put those plans into action that you’ve been working hard on all year long. Whether you’re headed to the beach for a week-long adventure of sun, snorkeling, and saltwater taffy or headed to the mountains for camping, hiking, and horseback riding, one thing you can be assured of is that all of that fun and excitement is going to cost a lot of money. But there are ways to save.
4 Ways To Save On The Road
From spur of the moment trips to the most carefully planned itineraries, things can and do change. Need to change or cancel your destination? Want to add an adventure along the way? How about changing a one-day Disney World Pass to a two-day pass? All of those options require some flexibility and may cost you extra money if you’re unaware of the options out there to help you save money.
- Know where to look for saving coupons
As a child, when vacationing with my family, one of my favorite things to do was to take a free copy of every brochure advertising some exciting adventure within a hundred-mile radius of roadside rest areas on Interstate 75 along the Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee corridor. I had hundreds of them. Most of them were for things we were never going to visit, but occasionally a few would be so enticing that I could convince my parents into going. That’s how we ended up at The Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater, Tennessee – home of an underground lake with glass-bottom boats. The glass-bottom boats were the selling point for me, but to my parents, it was the money-saving coupon tucked inside the brochure.
Most brochures available at rest stops and other places offer some kind of freebies from free admission to enticing discounts on the total purchase price.
- Check local newspapers, penny savers, and free-standing racks
Most resort towns and vacation destinations offer coupon books available at many locations. One good source for finding money saving coupons is to check with the local Chamber of Commerce. Not only can they provide discount booklets but they are usually staffed by local residents who can offer insights and other advice not usually found inside a brochure.
Another great location to pick up discount booklets are the freestanding racks outside gas stations and convenience stores, and also the entryway of some local grocery stores.
- Investigate local organization discount days and soda pop cans
Did you know you could save money by drinking soda pop? Amusement parks like Six Flags over Georgia and Texas offer substantial discounts on one-day general admission when you bring in a can from a sponsoring beverage, like Coke or Pepsi.
Additionally, many large companies and organizations have family fun days and offer heavily-discounted admission prices throughout the summer season. Not a member of one of these groups? Don’t worry about it, because other organizations like community libraries and rotary clubs offer free activities or will accept a donation in lieu of charging admission to events like community suppers and movies-under-the-stars.
- Let your fingers do the walking
In the good ol’ days, letting your fingers do the walking meant searching through endless pages in the back of the phone book for listings from alligator wrestling to zip-lining across the Grand Canyon. Now, an online search is the key to saving money on everything from auto insurance to BOGO airfare to exotic destinations. Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial, among others, offer steeply-discounted deals on many products and services. The discounts are there if you invest a little time and energy to see what’s available.
Furthermore, another way to find a valuable coupon or discount is to go directly to the source. From hotels and eateries to vacation destinations and amusement parks, going to the specific website of your destination will usually result in some form of a discount on price or even an upgrade. It never hurts to ask.
Make the most of your vacation this summer, but don’t stress about the cost. With a little bit of effort and planning, finding discounts and coupons on the road is as easy as one-two-three, and you’ll be able to spend your energy on what really matters: a fun and relaxing experience with your friends and family.
BIO: Gianetta Palmer is a freelance writer for 360 Quote living in the mountains of northeast Georgia. Check out more of her stories at gianettapalmer.com, and connect with her on Twitter & follow her on Instagram.
