Congratulations to Lindsey Taylor and Walter Baker as the 2022 Sue Stivers Scholarship recipients sponsored by the Adair County Extension Homemakers. Due to a record number of applications, our Homemakers this year voted to award two $500 scholarships.
Taylor attends Lindsey Wilson College, and Baker attends the University of Kentucky. Congratulations again to these outstanding young people!
Summer Travel on a Budget
Warm, sunny days are the perfect occasion to hit the road to discover new things, but the dream of getting away may seem impossible to some of us when the costs of traveling, including food, lodging, and entertainment, are piled on top of everyday living expenses.
These tips may make it easier for you to get away without breaking the bank.
- Shorten the length of your stay. Everyone would love to stay on the beach for a full seven days, but for some, that may not be economically feasible. Instead of canceling your trip, look at your budget and see how many days you can afford. You may find that you save several hundred dollars just by shortening your stay by a few days.
- Choose off-peak vacation spots. While summer is the peak season for most places, destinations like ski resorts that do the majority of their business during the winter months may offer discounts during the off-season. You won’t be able to ski, but you can enjoy nature, restaurants and tourist attractions, not to mention fewer crowds.
- Look for last-minute deals or specials if you are flexible with your dates. Often airlines or hotels will offer discounts to fill empty seats and vacant rooms. Make sure you book with a reputable company when searching the Internet for deals.
- Save money by eating in. Food can be one of the biggest expenses of a vacation next to lodging. Think about whether you could bring food or purchase it at a local grocery store instead of dining out for every meal. Breakfast and lunch may be easy to do, if you have refrigerator access or are OK with grab-n-go food. Having access to a kitchen in your room or vacation rental could help you prepare a couple of home-cooked meals for your family.
- Have a staycation. Become a tourist in your own city or region. You can also contact the visitor’s bureau for more information on free or low-cost summer events offered in the county.
- Set a budget and follow it. Make sure everyone in your family knows the daily spending allowance and agrees to stay within it. Families can plan each day’s events based on their budget.
- Start a vacation savings account for next year. Like Christmas savings accounts, some banks offer vacation club savings accounts. These allow you to spread the cost of the vacation over an entire year instead of being hit with a lump payment at once.
For more information on topics related to family financial management, contact your Adair County Cooperative Extension Service.
Source: Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Extension Specialist for Family Financial Management
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
