It’s spring break, not spring broke. Have yourself an awesome time without blowing your budget by following these five spring break tips. 

Check your school for discounts and help.

Lots of colleges offer on-campus travel agents who can help you plan your vacation right by snagging the best deals. Plus, your school may be able to get you special discounts.

Don’t pay full price

Before booking a hotel or attractions, or going out to eat, check out sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, Restaurant.com and CouponCabin. Look through the tourist brochures you’ll find in hotels, too. Why pay full price if you don’t have to?

Fly for less

Get the best deals on flights by clearing your web browser cache before searching. Book on a Tuesday about six weeks before your trip. That’s usually when you will find the lowest prices. Also, consider flying mid-week for the best deals.

Use Hopper, Hipmunk or Travelocity

Download one or all of these apps for help in scheduling, pricing, and organizing your trip. You’ll have access to exclusive deals, plus loads of suggestions for local tourist hotspots to help you plan your stay.

Dine in

Don’t assume you need to eat out for every meal. Instead, stock up on basic supplies at the grocery store and eat most of your meals in your hotel room. Even better, find an Airbnb or condo on VRBO that has a kitchen. If you are in a hotel, take advantage of the continental breakfasts that many offer. You can also pick up food from a street vendor for a fraction of the price.

Spring break doesn’t have to mean a break from budgeting. Plan ahead and choose wisely so you won’t be paying off your vacation all summer long. If you really need a vacation and don’t have the cash, ask us about a vacation loan. It’s a fixed rate loan that you can pay off in 1-5 years.