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4. Set Savings Goals!
Remember, you’re thinking about money BEFORE you arrive on your trip. Set detailed weekly, bi-weekly or monthly goals of where you want to be in your savings. If you know you want to spend $1,000 on your trip, find out the exact amount you will need to save each week. You may need to tell Amy that you can’t hang out tomorrow because you want to work extra hours to save for your trip. Are you going to sacrifice a few fun things now, so you can have more fun later? You bet you are!

2. Look For Deals
Coupon, Groupon, savemon… Okay, that was cheesy… but you get it. Look for group rates, membership card deals, points, and all that good stuff. Use websites like Groupon.com. Find out if you have something in your back pocket that can help you get discounted rates, like a Tripple A membership, or a student ID card for student fares. Explore your opportunities and things that may be available to you.
Photo Credit:
First photo: Pure Michigan Blog
Second photo: Michigan Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Third photo: Brighton Michigan
Fourth photo: Mayberry State Park Michigan
Michigan residents, you’ve got some pretty amazing places to visit in your own backyard. Here’s a countdown to 5 ways you can save money on your next Michigan vacation!
5. Get a Spending Plan!
Before you even buy your ticket, know how much you are willing and able to splurge on your Michigan vacation. It’s a vacation…you don’t want to have to count pennies while you’re having fun. Do your homework and make a list of your expenses such as gas, food, activities, clothes, souvenirs and admissions to parks. Total it up and see how much you will need to save and how long it will take to get there.

3. Pack Your Own Snacks!
Hungry? Grab a home cooked meal, seriously! If you spend $10 a day for your designer coffee and lunch, that’s $200 a month! Instead, create your own lunch from home. You’ll be surprised how much more you save by bringing your own food. Use leftovers or invite friends over to cook for a fun night in so you can all save money for your goals. Check out this site for fun inexpensive recipe ideas. http://www.buzzfeed.com/melissaharrison/cheap-dinner-recipes#.pxn42Z1y2

1. Pack Your Own Snacks
Hungry? Grab a home cooked meal! Seriously…Vacation destinations usually have really high priced foods. You did it! You arrived! But now, you may find yourself spending $8 + tax for a slice of pizza and pop. Cook up your favorite food and make your favorite snacks. Invest in a cooler if appropriate for your trip and a lunch box. You’ll be surprised how much more you save by BYOF (Bringing You Own Food). Remember, you are saving to enjoy your vacation… not to spend 20% of your savings on lunch alone. That could’ve been an extra day at the lodge.