Additional Savings for Family Entertainment Outings

It is one thing to score cheap tickets to concerts or sports events. If the venue is out of town, families on a budget may need more than discount tickets to make the trip affordable. If you are planning an overnight trip for a Broadway show, football game or music concert, here are a few ways you can save on travel, lodging and food.

Plan for Fuel Economy

Plan to fill up in the cheapest places. Check online and watch the news ahead of time to see what areas will offer cheaper gas. Schedule your stops to hit the least expensive places when your tank is below half-full.

If you drive a vehicle heavy on gas intake, renting a more economical car may save you money. Compare fuel costs for your vehicle with rental plus fuel costs for the rental option to find the least expensive route.

Use Coupons and Web Deals for Dining

Watch the mail for fast food and pizza coupons, and check online for coupons for your favorite restaurants. Check out city pages for your destination and find local restaurants that sound good. Go to Restaurant.com to see if the local restaurants in your destination are participating in online deals. By planning ahead, you can save 50 to 75 percent off your meal!

Book through Travel Sites

Make your hotel reservations through an online travel site like Travelocity or Priceline to save $20 to $50 per night. Unless you are adventurous, avoid bidding on the unnamed hotel deals. Although you can score deep discounts, you may not end up with accommodations that are right for you.

Use Miles and Points

If you travel a lot for business or pleasure, you may have airline miles or hotel points saved up. Both options can be used to pay for rental cars, flights, hotels and, in some cases, food. Pay for anything you can with points or miles and save your cash for souvenirs at the hockey, soccer or football game!

By planning your trip ahead of time, you can save money on everything from theater tickets to breakfast. Entertainment is not only for the rich. Families on a budget can find great options by putting a little bit of work into the trip.