Ever spent more money prepping for vacation than the trip itself? I’ve been there—and I’m guessing you have too. But what if a little bit of organization could save your sanity and your wallet? In this episode, I’m sharing three family-tested, budget-friendly travel tips that help us pack light, stay organized, and avoid those last-minute expenses. Let’s jump in.
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Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #77: 3 Easy Tips to Cut Your Grocery Bill Now
- #76: Are Your Groceries Shrinking? How to Combat ‘Shrinkflation’
- #75: Debt-Free Families Following These 5 Simple Rules – Do You?
- #74: How to Break Free from the “I Deserve It” Spending Habit
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3 Budget-Friendly Tips for Family Travel
Well hey there and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast. I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and if you’ve ever traveled with kids, you know: it can be amazing and a little chaotic. But when you’re also trying to stick to a budget? You need a game plan. Over the years, our family has simplified and streamlined our travel routine—and these three budget-friendly tips for family travel have made the biggest difference.
So today I wanted to take some time to share them with you with the hope that they might help you streamline your own travels – no matter when you plan to take that next trip.
Tip #1: One Carry-On Per Person—No Exceptions
This is our non-negotiable.
Every person—kid or adult—gets:
- One carry-on suitcase (the kind that fits in the overhead bin)
- One small personal item (like a backpack or tote)
- One toiletries bag
And that’s it.
It keeps costs down (no checked bag fees), keeps us from overpacking, and honestly makes travel so much smoother. We don’t have to wait at baggage claim. We don’t worry about lost luggage. And no one’s trying to stuff a suitcase that weighs more than they do into the rental car trunk.
Bonus Benefit: Kids learn responsibility.
We make a checklist together before each trip, and they pack their own bag—with our help depending on their age. They get to choose their favorite outfits (within reason), pack their own books or toys, and they’re responsible for keeping track of it all.
It’s one of those life skills that starts with vacation and carries over into daily life—like learning to plan ahead, prioritize, and not bring every stuffed animal they own.
Tip #2: Pre-Pack Toiletries—And Keep Them Packed
I cannot overstate how much this has simplified our travel life.
We have a designated travel toiletry kit for each person in the family. These are stocked with all the essentials in TSA-approved sizes, including:
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion
- Sunscreen (especially for beach trips)
- Hairbrush or comb
- Mini first-aid supplies (Band-Aids, ibuprofen, etc.)
We keep these packed year-round in a drawer or bin. After a trip, we do a quick restock:
- Refilling or replacing anything that ran out
- Making a note if anything needs updating before the next trip
Why it matters: When we don’t do this, we end up spending more money right before a trip—on things we already own, just can’t find. Or worse, we forget something and end up paying double at an airport shop or hotel gift store.
And honestly? It’s one less thing to think about when you’re already juggling travel plans, snack prep, and making sure no one leaves their shoes at home.
Tip #3: Pack by Day, Not by Item
This is one of the most practical tips for traveling with kids—especially if you want to avoid the daily “what should I wear?” suitcase tornado.
Instead of packing all shirts together, all pants together, etc., we pack by daily outfits:
- One Ziploc or packing cube per day, labeled with the day or activity (Beach Day, Travel Home, Disneyland, etc.)
- Each bag contains a full outfit: top, bottom, socks, underwear, and PJs
- Optional: a second outfit for younger kids if we know spills or accidents are likely
This works beautifully for a few reasons:
- It limits overpacking. You see exactly how many outfits you need and can quickly spot what’s missing.
- It keeps kids independent. They grab the bag labeled “Tuesday” and get dressed without digging through their whole suitcase.
- It makes mornings easier. Especially if you’re on a multi-stop trip and living out of a suitcase—less chaos, more calm.
You can also tuck a small laundry bag into their suitcase so worn items have a place to go. That way, by the end of the trip, the clean stuff is still clean, and the dirty stuff is ready to toss in the wash.
Real Talk: The Expense Creep
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that vacation expenses start adding up long before you leave the house.
New sandals. Matching water bottles. Last-minute toiletries. Travel snacks. And maybe a few “treat yourself” extras because…well, vacation, right?
But here’s the thing:
Most of those pre-trip purchases are avoidable.
When you plan ahead, pack intentionally, and reuse what you already have—like those travel toiletry kits—you save your vacation budget for the actual vacation.
How Will You Use These Tips for Budget-Friendly Travel?
Here’s what I want you to do this week:
- Start gathering or ordering travel-size toiletries for each person in your family.
- Create a simple packing checklist for carry-ons.
- Label toiletry bags and stash them somewhere easy to grab.
Even if you don’t have a trip on the calendar yet, you’ll be ready when the time comes—and you’ll skip the last-minute spending spree.
Before You Go
Alrighty, well that’s all I have for you today, but if you’ve got a go-to packing tip or travel hack, I’d love to hear it! Send me an email at sarah@lemonblessings.com so I can try it out or share it with other listeners.
And if today’s episode gave you a helpful idea, would you pass it along to a friend? Because every mom deserves a vacation that doesn’t come with unnecessary stress or overspending.
Until next time, just know that I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time.
