man saving money for Florida vacation

8 Tips For Planning A Florida Summer Vacation On A Budget

Summertime has arrived, and Fast Payday Loans, Inc. of Florida is here to help you plan a fun, relaxing, and affordable vacation while you can. Even though it’s peak travel time, you don’t have to squeeze your wallet if you’re heading to Florida this season. We have all the tips for planning a vacation on a budget while still enjoying the bells and whistles down south.

Keep reading to learn the best strategies for choosing your Florida vacation city and dates, flight deals, hotel alternatives, and low-cost activities to enjoy alone or with others. No matter how you plan it, we’ve got you covered.

How Can I Plan A Florida Summer Vacation On A Budget?

1. Choose An Affordable Destination

When many think of a “Florida vacation,” their minds automatically go to hot-spot cities like Orlando or Miami. By instead choosing more minor, lesser-known Floridian spots to visit, you get a unique vacation experience at half the cost of those more prominent cities.

If you plan to head to the beach, consider Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, or Pensacola. If you’re looking for culture and history, you can’t miss Saint Augustine. If you’re considering a family vacation by the pool, look for cheap Airbnb inland instead of beach hotels with pools for extra privacy and fun.

2. Choose Your Dates Carefully

While summer is the peak season for travel, the Southern school system restarts in early August. By flying down later in the month, you’ll see a notable decrease in tourist crowds and be able to snag better deals than if you were to visit in June or July.

Also, note that summer is Florida’s wet season, so you may have some frequent storms pop in during the afternoons. In most areas, however, the mornings still offer plenty of sunlight hours to enjoy being outside.

woman vacationing on a budget in Florida

3. Compare Flights And Hotels

It’s a rare occasion when the cheapest flight option is found by exploring an airline’s website. Use websites like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Expedia to compare flight and hotel prices for your stay instead.

Bonus tip: Open up an incognito (private) tab on your browser when searching flight prices. If you don’t, most computers will save cookies (saved data), and prices for your flight dates could increase based on your search history.

4. Avoid Extra Flight Fees

With many low-cost airline carriers, everything from your carry-on bag to choosing your seat costs extra. Suppose you can plan to fly light with just a backpack and carry-on. If you’re flying in a group, consider consolidating your clothes into one checked bag, which is often cheaper than paying for multiple carry-ons.

Also, always pay for your luggage online before travel, as it’s more expensive to pay for bags during check-in at the airport.

5. Consider Hotel Alternatives

While hotels offer room service amenities, they’re often overpriced compared to alternatives like Airbnb, VRBO, hostels, or even camping or glamping. Be sure to explore all your housing options to get the best deal for your vacation on a budget.

6. Research Low-Cost Activities

Florida is packed with low-cost outdoor and indoor activities for a vacation on a budget. Before your trip, look up the following:

  • Local (free) beaches
  • Low-cost state parks
  • National wildlife refuges
  • Scenic drives
  • Botanical gardens or public gardens
  • Free museums
  • Free outdoor concerts or movie nights
  • Public fishing spots
  • Biking and hiking trails

7. Stick To Your Budget – Even When An Unexpected Expense Appears

An unexpected bill could throw a wrench in your plans if you’ve been frugal with expenses as you prepare to vacation on a budget. If you’re dealing with something like a sudden car or home repair bill, medical expenses, or overdue payments, our payday loans may be able to help.

8. Discover Payday Loans For Emergency Expenses

Fast Payday Loans, Inc. of Florida offers payday loans between $100 and $1,000 with a quick and easy application process. In fact, We do not require good credit, steady employment, or collateral to qualify. To qualify, you’ll need three simple items:

  1. Driver's license or your government I.D. (license or non-driving ID)
  2. A recent pay stub or proof of income
  3. A blank check from your active bank account in your nme

man with Florida summer vacation money

How The Process Works

If you have the three requirements to qualify, you can head to one of our locations (find the complete list on the Locations tab above) or fill out the form on our homepage to get started. This will connect you with a local rep who can answer your questions and walk you through the application process.

After verifying your documents in-store, you will receive your approval decision. If approved, you may receive your money that same day or the following business day.

Stick To Your Budget, Enjoy Your Vacation, And Cover Your Bills

If you can stick to your budget and use our six strategies above, you’ll have the best vacation on a budget possible. Whether you’re wading through Florida’s clear water beaches or driving through the Everglades, you can have the time of your life this summer without breaking the bank.

If you run into an unexpected expense in the meantime, know you can count on payday loans from Fast Payday Loans, Inc. of Florida! We are here to lend a hand and help you reach Florida this summer without any roadblocks – reach out to us today!

 

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Emma Frost

Emma Frost is a lifestyle and finance blogger with a talent for communication and a passion for financial literacy. She uses her writing talents to explore topics that help her readers gain financial stability and growth.