{"id":1453268,"date":"2022-04-25T16:59:55","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T20:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1453268"},"modified":"2022-04-25T16:59:59","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T20:59:59","slug":"the-8-best-affordable-beach-vacations-and-how-to-save-money-booking-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-8-best-affordable-beach-vacations-and-how-to-save-money-booking-them\/","title":{"rendered":"The 8 Best (Affordable) Beach Vacations \u2014 And How To Save Money Booking Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-8-best-affordable-beach-vacations-and-how-to-save-money-booking-them%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1453268&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2022\/04\/vacations.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=800&#038;ixlib=react-9.3.0\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span>Some people are mountain people. Some people are beach people. My mother-in-law is definitely a beach person. She\u00a0<\/span><i><span>must<\/span><\/i><span>\u00a0see the ocean from the balcony \u2014 that\u2019s nonnegotiable. If she can\u2019t see the sand and the water, she\u2019s not going. And if you\u2019re anything like my mother-in-law (don\u2019t read into that too much), you will\u00a0 have to watch pricing <\/span><i><span>carefully<\/span><\/i><span> and book further out to get those coveted beachfront views.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>But just because you\u2019re going on a beach vacation doesn\u2019t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg to do it. You might just have to make some trade-offs. For now, here\u2019s a list of beaches across the United States that still offer a budget-friendly beach vacation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Gulf Shores, Alabama<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>First up is none other than Gulf Shores, Alabama. This city\u00a0 is known for its pristine beaches, hiking trails (if you\u2019re into that sort of thing), and more activities to do than you have time for. I\u2019ve personally been there a handful of times, and it might be the best bang for your buck if you want those beautiful Gulf of Mexico vibes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Galveston, Texas<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Whether you\u2019re a local Texan wanting to trade in your cowboy boots for flip-flops, or you\u2019re just looking for an excuse to travel south . . . look no further than Galveston. Not only does it have 32 miles of Gulf beaches to explore, but it\u2019s also the perfect vacation spot that won\u2019t hurt your wallet.<\/span> <span>You want waterfront? You got it \u2014 and it won\u2019t cost you your firstborn. Sure, the water may not be crystal clear, but it\u2019s still a great beach nonetheless.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Virginia Beach, Virginia<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>They say Virginia is for lovers, and I\u2019m willing to bet it\u2019s because of Virginia Beach. This beach holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest pleasure beach.<\/span> <span>Virginia Beach gives you endless amounts of entertainment, including the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Cape Henry Lighthouse, the ViBe Creative District, and more history than you\u2019ll know what to do with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Nags Head, North Carolina<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>I can\u2019t talk about East Coast beaches without mentioning the Outer Banks, specifically Nags Head. This beach town is just one along the beautiful coast of the OBX (what the locals call it), but it\u2019s a great one to consider for your next trip east. Nags Head is filled with many places to stay: motels, hotels, and bed and breakfasts. And you\u2019ll definitely want to budget for seafood. If you\u2019re a fisherman (or fisherwoman), take a trip to the Outer Banks Fishing Pier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Cannon Beach, Oregon<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Cannon Beach is known as one of the best beaches in Oregon. Not only is it beautiful, but it\u2019s also full of wildlife. If you visit, you\u2019ll get to see Haystack Rock, along with all the cute puffins that call it home. While Cannon Beach isn\u2019t your typical swimming beach (unless you\u2019re into ice baths), you can still enjoy everything else the beach has to offer. Just make sure to pack a sweatshirt \u2014 or three. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>San Clemente, California<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>If you love the idea of sleeping on the ground, perfuming yourself in bug spray, and cooking your food over an open fire, you\u2019ll love San Clemente State Beach. They say this is a great place to camp out under the stars and let the crash of the waves lull you to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>South Haven, Michigan<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>A trip to the\u00a0<\/span><i><span>lake<\/span><\/i><span>\u00a0isn\u2019t quite the same as a trip to the\u00a0<\/span><i><span>beach<\/span><\/i><span>. But with Lake Michigan, it\u2019s very close. The lake is massive. You can get the beach experience you\u2019re dreaming of at a fraction of the cost. Plus, if you live in the Midwest, your travel time is cut shorter than a drive to the coast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Cape May, New Jersey<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Ask anyone what beach to visit up North, and Cape May will be near the top of the list. And if you like your beaches with boardwalks, this is another must for your next cheap beach vacation. But that\u2019s not all Cape May has to offer. This little town is speckled with Victorian-era homes and amazing architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ways to Save on Beach Vacations<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Now that you have an endless number of beaches to visit, let\u2019s talk about ways to save money. I like to call them\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramseysolutions.com\/budgeting\/travel-hacks\"><span>travel hacks<\/span><\/a><span>\u00a0(for the snappy factor). Remember, cheap beach vacations aren\u2019t easy to come by without a few trade-offs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Here are seven ways to save money on your next vacation:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Stay five minutes from the beach, not on the oceanfront.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Staying on the oceanfront is sure to blow up your budget. Instead of spending all your money on a view, why not stay a few miles away from the ocean? Even a couple of blocks away will save you a ton.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Start budgeting (and saving) now.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>If you know you\u2019ll be heading to the beach this year, it\u2019s a good idea to start saving right now. And the best way to be on your financial A game is by doing a budget. When you do a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramseysolutions.com\/budgeting\/how-to-make-a-zero-based-budget?int_cmpgn=no_campaign&#038;int_dept=dr_blog_bu&#038;int_lctn=Blog-Text_Link&#038;int_fmt=text&#038;int_dscpn=budgeting_myths_blog-inline_link_how_to_zero-based_budget\"><span>zero-based budget<\/span><\/a><span>, you tell every single dollar where to go. Create a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramseysolutions.com\/saving\/stop-the-panic-sinking-fund\"><span>sinking fund<\/span><\/a><span>\u00a0and throw your money toward it every month leading up to your vacation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Book in advance.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>When it comes to booking your airfare, research is key. Book your ticket somewhere between 3 1\/2 months to three weeks before your trip. If you\u2019re flying, avoid leaving or returning Friday and Sunday at all costs! Those are the most expensive days to fly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Go in the off-season.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>It goes without saying, but traveling during peak seasons is\u00a0<\/span><i><span>expensive<\/span><\/i><span>. So if you\u2019re truly up for a cheap beach vacation, plan to visit in the off-season. Sure, everyone and their grandma might be heading south for spring break, but they\u2019re paying double to do it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Choose the less popular destinations.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Your\u00a0 budget will get a big boost by choosing the less popular destinations. That means you have more money to spend on the things you actually care about, like making memories with the fam or eating fresh-caught seafood. (Both are appropriate things to care about.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Make your own meals.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>It\u2019s not always as much fun to make your own meals, but believe me \u2014 it\u2019s worth it. If you eat 80\u201390% of your meals at your place for the week, you\u2019ll have more in the budget for excursions. And who doesn\u2019t love a good dolphin cruise?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ask for a deal.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>There\u2019s no shame in that game. Instead of taking your room rate at face value, why not call and ask for a deal? If you found an incredible Airbnb, do some research to see if they\u2019re connected to a rental company. Chances are, that company would rather give you a deal off their own websites than pay those extra fees through Airbnb or Vrbo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>No matter where you decide to take your budget-friendly vacation, you absolutely need a budget. It\u2019s the thing that gives you permission to spend, helps you save, and keeps you in line (as long as you\u2019re tracking your spending, of course). I hope your next beach trip is the most fun you can have on a budget. And for goodness\u2019 sake, wear your sunscreen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>George Kame<\/i><\/b><i><span>l is a personal finance expert with a counter-cultural approach to money. He is the host of The Fine Print, The Ramsey Show, and EntreLeadership podcasts on the Ramsey Network. Follow George on <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GeorgeKamel?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\"><i><span>Twitter<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/georgekamel\/?hl=en\"><i><span>Instagram<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OfficialGeorgeKamel\"><i><span>Facebook<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span> or find out more about him online at <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramseysolutions.com\/personalities\"><i><span>ramseysolutions.com\/personalities<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some people are mountain people. Some people are beach people. My mother-in-law is definitely a beach person. She\u00a0must\u00a0see the ocean from the balcony \u2014 that\u2019s nonnegotiable. If she can\u2019t see<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":714,"featured_media":1480434,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1453268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1453268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/714"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1453268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1453268\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1480434"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1453268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1453268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1453268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}