Spring Break!

How to Afford Spring Break: 26 Tips That Can Save You 62%

by Odin "Chaos" Heyerdahl

Spring break. Are there two sweeter words in the student's vocabulary? Beautiful beaches, clear waters, exotic drinks and exotic co-eds.

The trouble is, spring break costs money. Precisely what we, as college students, lack the most. In fact, the average college student now graduates with over $20,000 in debt; do we really need to pile on another thousand bucks just for a sunburnt, Facebook-recorded, gloriously-debauched week with our friends?

Of course we do. Because we won't get the chance to do it again after we enter the real world. So I've compiled 26 tips to help you go on the same spring break trip everyone else is doing--for half the cost.

Saving

Yes, you're going to need to save some cash. Resist the temptation to put the whole thing on your Visa.

• 1. Save regularly. OK, that's nearly impossible while you're in school. Still, even $10 a week amounts to over $500 a year.
• 2. Get a temporary/extra job. Work stinks. Still, you can put up with anything for a limited amount of time. Work an (extra?) job for six weeks; the several hundred dollars you earn can go a long way (keep reading).
• 3. Pay off your credit card balance every month (or don't use them at all). The interest on credit cards is what puts many students in an endless negative cycle (and prevents them from saving for things like spring break!) If you can't be disciplined, cut 'em up.
• 4. Put all "windfall" money towards your spring break fund. Christmas money, used textbook sales, deposit refunds--you weren't counting on the money, but you'll sure find a way to spend it! Instead, forget you ever received it, and sock it away for the trip.

Travel

Begun saving some money? Good, now the fun part starts.

• 5. Look at ticket costs by destination. The difference in fares between Cancun and Acapulco may surprise you. If you're not dead-set on a particular location ("I just want sun and fun!"), be flexible, and consider only those places with more reasonable ticket prices.
• 6. Book your plane ticket months in advance. Fares generally go up with each passing month. By booking six months in advance, you can save up to 60% off the "retail" fare.
• 7. Comparison shop online. Sites like Travelocity show you fares from competing airlines. Even better, Student Universe has student-only fares which are often cheaper than those you can get elsewhere.
• 8. Layovers and extra connections are your friend. We all hate layovers and having three connections, right? Well, not if a bit of annoyance saves you $200. Look for odd times and flights with an extra leg: they'll often be cheaper.
• 9. Rent a bike. Most destinations have a lot of bars, restaurants and activities in relatively close proximity. Why keep paying for cabs?
• 10. Take a bus from the airport. A cab ride from the airport (wherever you are!) can cost $20-60. The bus (or train) generally costs $2-6. A no-brainer.
• 11. Whatever you do, don't book through the school's official travel agent. I've never heard of anyone beating an Internet price with a travel agent--although I hear plenty of stories of people getting ripped by buying offline. The Internet is our friend.

Lodging

Tropical locales have a lot of bugs and roaches, and potential flings can be choosy about surroundings. So don't be cheap here; do be smart.

• 12. In a group? Rent a house. Decent hotels rooms are extremely expensive. House rentals are, too, but a dozen or more people sharing the expense can make it relatively cheap. Search Google to find local booking agencies.
• 13. Get someplace with a kitchen. If you have one, you won't be tempted to eat out so much. PB&J means more money for beer!
• 14. Consider location. Traveling to and from your hotel/hostel/house can add up, so factor those costs into the equation. Check Google Maps to see how close you are to the action.

Clothes & Swimsuits

It's not just about the warm weather. You got to look hot if you want to attract members of the opposite sex. This can get pricey.

• 15. Borrow a top or two. Hey, your roomate's sick of it, and it's new to you. An expert mooch can get a week's worth of going-out clothes this way!
• 16. Comparison shop online. Malls are for suckers. Try Google or comparison shopping engines like PriceGrabber to buy the new Seven Jeans or designer sandals.
• 17. If you're going to Mexico, Brazil, or a foreign country, consider buying a bathing suit when you get there. In Rio a beautiful bikini that would cost a hundred bucks here, might set you back $16 USD. *WARNING* IF YOU'RE A MALE, DO NOT FOLLOW THIS TIP, UNLESS YOU LIKE SPEEDOS!

Activities

OK, we're here. I'm broke. Now what?

• 18. You really, truly don't need to spend a dime on activities. Beaches, parks, making out, Frisbee the best spring break activities are free. Save Ripley's Believe It Or Not for another time.
• 19. Don't forget your student ID. Even in foreign countries this can be your ticket to cheaper prices for many activities.

Food

You starved yourself all February to look good in the bathing suit. Eat!

• 20. Bring breakfast bars. Of course, breakfast is overrated. But if you absolutely must, don't go to a restaurant!
• 21. Buy sandwich supplies or cheap local foods for lunch. Bring it all to the beach and you have a picnic. That's better than a restaurant anyway.
• 22. When you DO eat out (and DO eat out!), be smart. Any non-alcoholic beverage (besides bottled water, in Mexico) is just a waste. Splitting an entrie can be fun. Dessert's only going to make you bloated and hurt your chances of hooking up. Enjoy yourself, but eat light.

Drinks

If you're anything like me, alcohol will end up being your highest expense (after travel).

• 23. Buy a case or jug of wine and pre-party before heading to the club. Seven bucks can get you buzzed before going out; it can get you a cocktail once you've gone out.
• 24. Buy the local brand. Corona is the cheap beer in Mexico. Bud Light is an expensive important. Try wrapping your mind around that one.
• 25. Don't open a tab. Worst. Decision. Ever.
• 26. Bring cash. If you pay cash at the bar it's more likely you'll have a bit of restraint (as opposed to using plastic, AKA "funny money").

There you have it. A $1700 trip to Cancun, for $6-700 (if you can stay disciplined!) Yes, I've done it. (Except for the crucial mistake of opening a tab). Have fun, be safe.

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