Some people are planning an epic summer getaway, but high prices are keeping others from traveling. A recent survey found about half of Americans are skipping a summer vacation this year. Despite stubborn inflation, it is possible to plan a budget-friendly trip. Barry Bigelow stopped by the studio to give some tips on how to save on vacations.

The average household is going to spend about $4,000 this summer on travel so making sure that you have a checklist before you leave will help when you don’t have to buy any essentials you may have forgotten at home. That can save hundreds of dollars.

Credit cards are helpful to pay for trips but only if you have the money to pay the debt off right away when you get home. Credit cards can be used to get points on an airline or at hotels or anything of that sort. Make sure you are being intentional with that credit card so that you aren’t making minimum payments. If that happens, in the end, you’ll end up paying double for the trip you are taking.

When preparing financially for a trip, the first thing you want to do is to determine your budget. Set a budget that you understand and can factor in expenses that come up in the future like school supplies. Also make sure that you are planning strategically. That might mean making sandwiches for part of the trip in order to cut down on some of that food budget, or driving instead of flying. Communication is also key if you are traveling with other people. Being able to set boundaries but also have fun can be a big money saver.

It’s also okay to have a staycation if you are worried about finances. The biggest tip is to make sure that you aren’t sacrificing your future or your retirement, or dipping into your emergency savings in order to go on vacation.