1. Use Airline Miles to Cover Flights

The most expensive cost of travel tend to be airfare and lodging, but earning enough airline miles allows you to erase the cost of flying from your budget occasionally. Check out the The Points Guy on how to maximize your points with credit cards. Keep in mind that you can use airline miles to fly anywhere in the world, often paying only the cost of government-taxes and fees.

2. Consider an Inexpensive Family Cruise

Due to COVID you can book in advance to get a great deal on cruises. Cruising provides an excellent opportunity to visit numerous destinations, and a single price covers nearly all of the trip's expenses. The benefits of an upfront cost make budgeting for a cruise especially easy for families, since all food, lodging and entertainment come included. For families who live within driving distance of a cruise port, these potential savings compound, as it becomes possible to avoid the cost of airfare altogether.

3. Book Rental Condos Over Hotels

Airbnb and rental condos are growing in popularity for a reason: They grant you the space to spread out and live like a local in nearly any destination. What's more, many options can be considerably more affordable than booking a hotel, especially if you are traveling with your family. Condos with their own kitchens make it easy to prepare your own meals, meaning you can save big on food costs.

4. Fly a Budget Airline

Budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant Air offer a no-frills flight experience for as little as $50 one-way. Discount carriers don't usually provide any complimentary extras like in-flight drinks or snacks. In fact, you should be prepared to pay more for just about everything, from seat assignment to carry-on luggage.

However, if you forgo extras like seat selection, remember to print your boarding pass at home or use the airline's app to access it when traveling(I take a screenshot of my boarding pass on my phone, take in consideration there might be no WiFi signal), and make sure to pay for luggage when booking rather than at the airport, then you can often get an extremely affordable ticket on these types of carriers.

5. Redeem Rewards for an All-Inclusive Hotel

Some hotel rewards programs, including IHG Rewards Club and World of Hyatt, let you redeem points for stays at all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico. This option is far from free since you'll need to fly to your destination. All-inclusive resorts are favorites of many travelers who like the fact that they need not sign a bill for every drink or meal they order.

6. Watch Out for Flight Deals

If you're eager to travel far and want to save big on airfare, keep an eye out for short-term airfare offers on websites like Skip Lagged and Secret Flying. Both sites offer details on deals that usually last only a few days, meaning you have to be ready to strike while the iron is hot.

7. Travel Off-Peak

Traveling during off-peak season can mean cheaper flights, cheaper hotels, and the chance to see a destination at a less frenetic time of year. Peak travel season varies by destination, so make sure to read up on your desired vacation spot ahead of time to find out the best time to save. Off-peak season in the Caribbean starts in April and ends just before the holidays, for example. In Europe, October through May is typically considered off-peak season.

8. Don't Pay Foreign Transaction Fees

Some credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee on all purchases made abroad. This fee can typically be up to 3% of each purchase you make, or up to $3 for every $100 you spend. Make sure you have a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees and you won't have to worry about paying for the privilege of using your card overseas. Your bank/debit card might have foreign transaction fees waived so that's the first call to make. Also it doesn't hurt to notify your bank that you will be traveling.

9. Book Flights Early

While you can often score cheap flights when you can book at the last minute, the opposite is also true. Here are also important factors to consider that determine the best day of the week to buy flights—your destination, when you plan to travel and whether you are booking a domestic or international flight. When it comes to airfare, you can use Google Flights to search for flights to different destinations or regions of the world using flexible dates. Start tracking prices so you know on average about how much the flight costs on whatever dates you're looking to travel. Then, when you see a flight deal to your desired destination, have your credit card ready to book.

10. Check Out Alternate Airports

While flying from the airport closest to home is always the most convenient option. You may find prices are hundreds of dollars less to get to the same location, making the combined cost of gas, parking and driving time an excellent investment.If you can drive a few hours to a larger airport with more flight options in general, that may be even better. Not only do you have the potential to save money, but you may find a direct flight or a route with fewer layovers. So don't be afraid to choose "Include nearby airports" in your online flight search.

Bonus Tip

Wherever you're going remember to have fun and take plenty of pictures!!!