The weather’s nice, school is out and it’s time for a much-needed vacation.  But how can you make the most of your leisure time without breaking the bank? Keep these tips in mind for stress-free fun in the sun.

Create a budget

A little leg work upfront can save you a bundle in time and money while traveling. Make a plan for what activities you’d like to enjoy or set a daily spending limit. Don’t forget to factor in food, transportation, hotel, souvenirs, and tax. Putting your trip expenses on paper will help you prioritize how you spend your money. Don’t forget to plan a small slush fund to help cover unexpected costs.

Set up fare alerts

Put the search engines to work for you by setting up a fare alert for the destination you’re traveling to. Check out Airfarewatchdog.com, farecompare.com, Kayak.com, tell the site what cities you’re interested in traveling to and look forward to email notifications when fares change.

Don’t forget your rewards programs

Do you belong to AAA, AARP, have a frequent flier account or credit card that earns rewards? Don’t forget to check for member benefits that could save you time and money for car rentals, hotel stay, activities and more!

Consider renting a vacation home or condo

Hotel costs can add up. In many destinations you can spend roughly the same amount and enjoy more space and additional accommodations such as a kitchen or laundry facilities.

Enjoy local treasures

Exotic travel might be your dream but if you haven’t saved enough for that big trip yet, consider something close by to enjoy as well. Check out state tourism websites like http://traveloregon.com/ or http://www.experiencewa.com/ for inspiration on local travel.

Use Social Media for discounts

Subscribe to newsletters or follow travel partners via social media (airlines, hotels and car rental agencies just to name a few) and keep your eyes open for discounts and special offers.

Use Mobile Banking

With OnPoint Mobile Banking, you’re never out of touch. Manage your money with real-time updates on account balances, and simple tools for transferring money. Smartphone users can visit the app store or, click here for more info.

Wherever the summer takes you, safe and happy travels!

Author: Erin Moore | Marketing Services