• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Parenting

My Mommy’s Neighborhood: Traveling on a Family Budget

Tomika Bryant of My Mommy's Neighborhood offers a few tips and tricks on planning a family vacation without breaking the bank.
My Mommy’s Neighborhood: Traveling on a Family Budget
By Tomika Bryant · Updated October 27, 2020

Tomika Bryant of My Mommy’s Neighborhood offers a few tips and tricks on planning a family vacation without breaking the bank.

If you are like me then you are probably longing for the lazy days of summer, as I look out my window to the 10 inches of snow that seems to increase every day. Last year, due to medical reasons and other constraints, we were not able to travel like I would have liked but I plan to make up for it this year. I called a family meeting during one the many snow days and declared our summer vacation plans.

I want my children to have fond memories of summer and of travel much like I did. The funny part is while I just wanted to visit a local beach or see something that only required a few hours of driving, my children have elaborate vacation ideas. London, Hollywood, Jamaica, Disney and Paradise Island were on the tongues of both children. I wondered to myself, “did we hit the lottery and no one told me? Or maybe the Publisher’s Clearing House people were on their way with a check in hand.” Either way, I realized that I needed to come up with a plan to make something happen and quickly. I told the kids to do some research on their choices and be prepared to convince my husband and me of their favorite choice. Meanwhile, I had to figure out how to pay for the elaborate idea they were sure to develop. The prices during the summer are higher but I realize with flexibility and a budget, I can make this happen.

SLEEPING & EATING

Prices vary throughout the summer but I find if I call the hotels of interest to determine the weeks where they have low occupancy, I can get a better rate. Don’t forget to ask for association discounts such as AAA or AARP. There are usually other options available, include renting a house or condo through local realtors. The added benefit to this option is the kitchen which can help reduce food experiences drastically.

GETTING THERE

As a family of four, traveling by car is the cheapest option but with some research you can get reasonable airfare. The best time to research prices is late night/early morning Tuesday or Wednesday. This is when most airlines adjust their prices. Tuesday and Wednesday are also great travel days. I suggest you start checking airline prices early in the process and be prepared to purchase when you find a price that suits your budget.

ACTIVITIES

It never fails that my family always needs a vacation after the vacation so I try to plan a few days of laziness. We will allow the kids research the activities they would like to do at the chosen destination. My job is very clear, to find the best discounts available. I always try to purchase museum memberships that offer reciprocal admissions at museums in other cities whenever possible. I’ve noticed that in many cities they have free or reduced admission on certain days and times. Don’t forget to check out your local super-club as their discount offers could also help you stay within budget. I scored a 3-day pass last year to an amusement park at the price I would have paid for one and it is good for 3 years. The hotel can usually recommend activities and they often have discounts directly from the establishment.

GRUB

My crew can eat and seems to do so even more when we are on vacation. This is where those kitchens come in handy. If this isn’t an option, I always make certain that my room has a refrigerator. Prior to arriving, I have clipped any coupons or food deals for the week so all I have left to do is hit the store. I try to get meals that are easy and require very little preparation since I am on vacation. We will eat out a few days but seek out places that offer free or reduced meals for kids.

Tomika Bryant My Mommy’s Neighborhood 

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now