Spring break is right around the corner, and you'll probably be tempted to get out of the house and spend more money.听Check out听these tips for saving money this spring break;听plan ahead, and you can have serious fun on a small budget.听
Road trip with friends
It鈥檚 been a long semester and you need a break, but you鈥檙e short on cash. What can you do? There's nothing more iconic than the American road trip.听
Colorado is in the heart of the American West, and there are many iconic road trips out of Denver. Pile in the car with some friends and go somewhere new! Places such as Arizona and Southern California provide a nice escape from the Colorado cold.
To save on travel costs: Split gas money, camp or stay with friends, and shop for groceries听and cook to avoid eating out. All of this can add up to adventure, fun听and an affordable way to vacation.
Camp out
Speaking of camping鈥攎ake it the highlight of your break! Don't have your own gear? You听can . Make sure to plan ahead, as camp sites in popular areas can fill up fast. Also, be听sure you have the correct gear for the environment and climate where you are camping. Colorado, Wyoming听and听Utah can still be cold and snowy in March.
Make an appointment with Ben Wurzel, the CU Money Sense advisor. He can help with budgeting, saving, investing, student loans听and even taxes.听April 15听is around the corner!
Get more tips on听听辞谤听听蹿谤辞尘听.
Stay in a hostel
Already planning to go听somewhere exotic or travel internationally? Stay in hostels. Hostels are cheap (they generally cost from听$5 to $20 per night) and are a great way to meet other travelers and make new friends. Make sure to bring some earplugs for sleeping, though, as hostels tend to have a lively atmosphere.
Staycation: All you ever wanted
Go home. Relax. Sleep in, watch movies, catch up with some old friends. Yeah, it鈥檚 not Mexico, but your friends putting their spring break shenanigans spending on a credit card will be paying for it for years; meanwhile you鈥檒l be relaxed, rested听and in good financial standing.
Live in Boulder? Hang at your apartment or house. Catch up on house chores. Get ahead on studying and school work. Sleep in as late as you want. Connect with neglected friends and family. And find local activities in Denver/Boulder to keep you entertained. Use this week to rest and power up for the rest of the semester!
Last but not least,听make a budget
Whether you're staycationing or traveling abroad, the key to any successful vacation is planning ahead and sticking to the financial plan.
Many students are tempted to put their vacations on a credit card. Don鈥檛 do it! That one week in Mexico could cost you thousands of dollars more in interest and years of credit card payments. In that case, it's best to go home to Mom and Dad or stay put and live within your means. As you can see, there are plenty of ways to have fun on a budget!听
