Dear Chase,
My wife and daughter are planning a vacation in a few months, but due to our work schedules and our daughter’s school schedule we can only be gone for about four days.  I was wondering how I can make the best out of a short vacation, and also save money yet still enjoy it.  Thanks!
    -The Busy Bunch

Dear Busy Bunch,
One of the main things I always look at when planning a vacation is the free things that you can do during your trip.  Not everything you do has to cost money.  You’d be amazed at the number of free things you can do that will actually be a lot of fun.  Pick up a tourist brochure when you get to your destination (most of which have some awesome coupons in them) and plan out your trip around the activities that are in your price range. 
Another thing that costs a great deal is the gas spent on your trip, which is why when you get there you should always check about bus, subway or other public transportation.  In the long run, a bus pass will cost less than driving around everywhere!  Oh, and steer clear of taxis; you’d be better off to drive! 
Another great idea, depending on where you’re going for your trip, is to walk.  I go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge quite a bit and we always find a cheap motel, park the car then walk along the strip. 
Which leads me to another great point: Book a cheap motel, and do it as far in advance as you can!  The longer you wait to book your room, the more likely you will have to "settle" for a more expensive room due to low vacancy or holidays.  Check online with great websites like Priceline, Expedia and Kayak to book your room.  They allow you to "name your price" so that you’re getting a room in your budget.  And remember, you’re not going to be in your room that much, so why spend half your budget on a big, fancy room?  Save that money and use it on other stuff like souvenirs. 
Speaking of souvenirs, take a camera with you!  Pictures make for great souvenirs of a vacation when you’re trying to pinch pennies.  You can also find tons of cheap souvenirs (coffee mugs, shot glasses, key chains, etc.) that you can take back with you.  I normally splurge and get a t-shirt, but those are often not over $15.
Every vacation always includes food, and lots of it!  However, you don’t have to eat out for EVERY meal.  Most hotels offer complimentary breakfast so take advantage of that.  Then make and pack a light lunch for the day and enjoy a restaurant meal for dinner.  During trips I normally purchase sandwich meat, bread, snacks, etc. from a local grocery store and put them in an insulated cooler for the ride, and then I simply transfer them into the fridge in the motel when I get there.  Remember, tourist areas will be more expensive…for everything!  Even a loaf of bread at a grocery store will probably cost more than it would at home.  Keep in mind that some small town "Mom & Pop" restaurants are normally cheaper than big chain restaurants, and they often have better food anyway!  So check with the locals about great "small town" restaurants.     
So to recap:  Do as much free stuff as possible, use the bus or walk during your trip, book a cheap motel several months in advance, take pictures as souvenirs, eat breakfast at the hotel, carry some food to make your lunch and eat at "small town" restaurants for dinner.  With all these things applied you should be able to enjoy a fun vacation, while also saving money!  As for how to make the best of a short vacation, just do as much as possible; yet also remember that you can’t do it all, so don’t torture your family with a strict itinerary, just let go and have fun!
*If you have a question please email savingdollarsandmakingsense@gmail.com or find me on Facebook under "Saving Dollars & Making Sense".  Thanks and happy savings!