There are (unfortunately) just a few more weeks left of summer. If you’re looking to plan a last minute getaway without breaking the bank, follow our money saving vacation tips!

Stay with Family or Friends – Do you know any family or close friends who live in or near a great vacation spot or a city you’ve always wanted to visit? If so, staying with those you know gives you a chance to catch up and spend time with them, as well as it’ll spare you the cost of paying to stay in a hotel. Be sure to not wear out your welcome though. During your stay – offer to buy groceries, help out around the house, clean up after yourself, and cook for or take your host out for a decent meal or two. Another idea is to rent a house or cabin with friends or family. This will allow you to split the cost of wherever you decide to stay with however many other groups there are in your party.

BYO Food – Dining out during a week of vacation can rack up a hefty bill fast. While it’s nice to not have to cook for yourself and eat out at a trendy restaurant or two while on vacation, if you do so three meals per day for a whole week – it can really blow your budget. If you’re staying with someone you know or renting a house/condo for the week, bringing your own groceries is easy and will help you keep your costs down. Even if you’re staying in a hotel, you can still pack some food items to keep on hand so you don’t have to buy extra during your trip. For example, if your hotel has a small refrigerator – you can bring some small groceries to store in there (think milk for cereal or coffee creamer to make your own coffee in the room), or stretch your restaurant leftovers out and have them for lunch the next day. You can also bring some non-perishable snacks like protein bars, to keep on you for during the day to avoid having to purchase a big breakfast or lunch out. If you find that you are dining out quite a bit, try to make dinner a lower cost meal such as checking out one of the local pizza spots. You’ll spend less money on dinner, and who doesn’t love pizza?!

Hit up Free or Low Cost Attractions – If you’re visiting a new city, sometimes it’s fun to just walk around and explore the area without spending a dime. Or if you’re near a beach, lake, or park – this is usually a relatively inexpensive day if you plan it out right and bring your own drinks, food, and snacks in a cooler. Some beaches charge entrance or parking fees for the day, but they are generally pretty affordable. Local museums are another low cost alternative, which also will provide an educational experience and fun for the whole family. Do some research before your trip, and find out which attractions you’d like to see and how much they cost. Community calendars or area Facebook groups may also help give you some more ideas from locals.

Transportation – Is it absolutely necessary to rent a car on your trip? If you’re staying with someone you know, can they let you borrow theirs for the day or drop you off and pick you up? Also, look into whether there are modes of public transit like a bus you can take to get around, train, rent a bicycle – or are there things to do within walking distance? If you do need to rent a car, see if there’s an online promotional coupon code you can use when you book or a first-time customer discount.

There you have it, you can still plan an end of summer vacation and save money in the process. To stay updated on the latest financial insights as well as money saving tips and strategies – be sure to subscribe to our First Scoop blog or our monthly e-newsletter. Wishing you enjoyable end of the season travels!