Get More Spring Break . . . For Less

Filed under: Personal Finance, School Age, Young Adults

Spring Break -- two simple words that, to most college students preparing for or recovering from midterms and the daily stressors of life, mean a much-anticipated escape to paradise for a long week away from worries and responsibilities. While, momentarily ignoring the research paper due the day class resumes, Spring Break does sound nice. But where are you planning to go? Lolling about on sandy beaches and parties galore may sound like a dream to some, but tourist destinations can get too pricey too quickly for the average student budget. For a truly unforgettable experience, get creative with your friends and consider these ideas, which won't blow a fortune.

Raging Road Trip

Regardless of where you live, there's bound to be a scenic countryside that is just waiting to be explored. Fortunately, the art of the cheap road trip isn't tough to master. Grab a ride and pile in your friends to share the cost of gas and overnight stays; you're bound to enjoy a memorable vacation and a chance to relax with your best pals. Plan to cook some of your own meals instead of snagging snack packs and fast food meals for a budgeted bonding experience. Innovative online tools like GasBuddy.com can also help you locate cheap gas in any location. And if even inexpensive hotels sound like a splurge, creative international ventures like CouchSurfing.org can help your crew find free indoor lodging with friendly hosts.

Creative Camping

If you love the outdoors, crawl the web to check out local camping sites for a Spring Break on the cheap. And if you're not completely up for connecting with nature in terms of tents and sleeping bags, camping doesn't have to mean just blankets and sleeping beneath the stars. Cabin rentals tend to be less expensive in the spring than the busy summer season, so gathering a group of friends to rent a great deal on a lake may make an inexpensive yet enjoyable vacation.

Volunteering on Vacation?

In recent years, a sweeping trend for college students is the Alternative Spring Break, which offers a meaningful experience by encouraging volunteering on your vacation. The movement for opting out of stereotypical trips to sparkling beaches is led by the national nonprofit organization Break Away, which focuses on connecting communities by promoting alternative break opportunities. For a truly unforgettable experience, consider an international volunteer trip to help build housing in impoverished nations or help tutor children and assist the elderly.

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