I’m planning to go back to Disney World with my family this summer. Last year was our first time going, but this year I’m bringing my mom and siblings with me so I’m really looking forward to it.

It’s no secret that traveling to Disney World can be pretty expensive but the same can be said for other summer vacations too. Everyone deserves a relaxing vacation occasionally, but many families skip it because they feel they can’t afford to travel and take time off.

In order to vacation for less, you have to have a strategy and be willing to try out different hacks. Here are 5 of the best ways to save money on summer vacation.

1. Save Money on Summer Vacation by Planning Ahead

Last minute travelers don’t get to take advantage of the perks that come with planning ahead. Summer is a busy travel season, so when I decide I want to vacation during the summer months, I start planning ahead at least 8-10 months in advance.

Planning ahead means you’ll have more time to save and develop a realistic travel budget. You’ll also have early access to discounts on hotels and flights. Some places offer early bird discounts that you can take advantage of.

When you get started early, you’ll also be able to shop around longer to ensure you get the best deal. You can download an app called Hopper if you want to shop around for flights and have flexible travel dates.

2. Prepare Half of Your Meals

I know, I know. You’re on vacation and probably don’t want to cook right? Dining out is convenient when you’re vacationing but it adds up quickly. If you’re on a budget, you may want to use more of your money to go toward the actual experience and not just food.

This doesn’t mean you have to be slaving in the kitchen day and night during your trip. You can purchase a few things to prepare some quick and easy meals in under 10 minutes. Breakfast is one of the easiest meals to prepare and if you make breakfast for yourself each day, you can save quite a bit during your trip.

If you’re traveling with other people, you can also share the responsibility and give yourself a break some of the time.

3. Use Rewards

If you have credit card reward points or cash back, redeeming your rewards for summer travel is a great option. This is how my family is flying to Orlando for cheap this summer.

Last year I signed up for an airlines rewards credit cards and used it wisely to earn enough points to cover 3 round-trip flights. As a result, my husband, my son, and I booked our flights for just $33 total and that cost was just made up of the airline fees.

For another trip, I redeemed cash back for a credit card to cover the cost of food during the vacation.

4. Stay With Family

Lodging is another costly expense when it comes to going on vacation. If you don’t want to spend money on an expensive hotel, plan a vacation that involves visiting family that lives out of town.

If they allow you to stay with them in a spare guest room, you can save a significant amount of money.

If this isn’t an option for you, consider Airbnb or VRBO. These are home-sharing marketplace where you can safely rent out rooms and entire houses for rates that are often cheaper than hotels. The great thing is that you’ll likely have kitchen access so you can save money by preparing and storing your own food during your stay.

5. Consider an All-Inclusive Resort

Another way to save money on summer vacation is to consider an all-inclusive resort. If you want the VIP treatment and a truly relaxing experience, there are some resorts that will include the cost of your stay, food, on-site amenities and activities, and even gratuity all in one price.

This is what my husband and I did for our honeymoon. We had a beautiful room and were able to eat and drink as much as we wanted and participate in on-site water sports and activities around the resort for one low price.

You may also be able to save by booking a cruise which has some all-inclusive features. The cost of a 3 to 5-day cruise is around $400 per person depending on the cruise line and destination. This covers your stay along with all your meals and many of the amenities on the ship.

You may just have to pay extra for excursions if you want to, but everything else is optional.

Don’t just write off the idea of taking a summer trip because you think you won’t have enough. When it comes down to it, if you really want to save money on summer vacation, get creative and come up with a plan to save money.

Start early, explore all your resources, and make a few minor sacrifices to pull it off without all the financial strain.

Author Chonce Maddox