Making Adventure Work on a Tight Budget: Traveling as a Family When Money’s Tight

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You don’t need a big paycheck to raise adventurous kids. Here’s how our family makes travel possible — even on a small budget. 

I get it -- we've been there

Someone once said to me, "I wish we could afford to travel like you." I smiled, but I also wanted to say, "You can -- just maybe not in the way you think."

Al and I are still working on our careers and after some pretty big set backs and exploring career options in Puerto Rico, haven't had full time jobs for a year. We don't have extra money sitting around. We budget, scrimp, and plan -- sometimes for months -- to make it happen. 

We make sure that in the mundane, we remember what our financial priorities are. Coming together to create those and stick to them has helped us to ensure that we can reach our goal of traveling to a new country every single year with our family. 

Redefining What "Adventure" Means (even on a budget)

Something that I am trying to adopt more completely to help me be more present is the idea that adventure doesn't always have to mean getting on a plane. Sometimes it's taking our kids to a new beach, trying a trail we've never done, or saying yes to a local festival we almost skipped. 

You have to treat your time as if it is a commodity as well -- it is valuable. Fill it with things you must do, but also things you love. 

A couple weeks ago, I was feeling a little overwhelmed by our current situation. I love our lives, but I often feel a little stuck. Talking with Al about my feelings, I realized that, even though we love exploring, hiking, being outside, we hadn't done it in weeks. Together, Al and I set aside some time for a family hike to Charco Prieto. 

The mini adventure was exactly what we needed to reset our family, give us the energy to push through, and remind us what was important. Watching my four year old scramble through the rain forest and my two year old throw rocks into a giant waterfall reminded me why Al and I prioritize adventure. It isn't just about us. 

Once we redefined what adventure meant, we realized we could build it into our lives -- even on a tight budget.

How We Actually Make Budget Travel Work for Our Family

While Adventure doesn't always mean hopping on a plane, Al and I prioritize at least one family trip a year. Here's what we do...

5 Ways We Afford Family Travel without Full-Time Jobs

1. Remember the why first, and the budget second

We love the world. We compost, pick up litter, try to build our neighborhood, learn about and plant native plants, etc. A lot of this comes from our experiences with it. Both Al and I grew up in extremely loving homes. We had incredible childhoods that expanded our understanding of the world even if our parents didn't necessarily have the budget to help us explore it. 

Our love for the world and interest in experiencing it together is one of the many interests that we share and reasons why we decided to say "yes" to a life together. As such, when we are trying to spend less in favor of more exploration, it's important to remember our inspiration and intent. 

While I don’t subscribe to most of Nietzsche’s philosophies, this quote has always stuck with me: "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how" (1889). It reminds me that when our why is strong — building connection through adventure — the how becomes manageable.

Al and I aren't necessarily bearing our "hows," but we are sometimes making sacrifices to make travel work. 

2. Using the bucket system (savings categories)

One way we prioritize is whenever we get money, we share the amount with eachother and then disseminate it into our "savings buckets." Through Ally bank, we've created a savings account that allows us to have different "buckets" of money. We have a bucket for each of our sons, one for emergencies, one for house improvement, one for donations to the church, and one for travel. 

When we receive paychecks a portion of the paycheck goes into each of these buckets. This way, we literally show each other and ourselves what our priorities are. 

3. Prioritizing Experiences over stuff

We love traditions, holidays, and making memories. Al and I have tried to show our kids, even when we celebrate, it isn't about the things we receive. We try to keep our holiday gift giving small, we don't buy lots of decorations (opt for the hand made), and try to upcycle, buy from thrift stores, use marketplace, etc. 

Often we use the prompt, do we need this?  -- That being said, sometimes the answer is no, but we still want it enough.

That means that sometimes, instead of asking for things, H asks to go on a boat for his birthday. He also would like the hot wheels octopus from Costco. It's not perfect, but showing our kids that we value experiences: planting a garden, going on a bike ride, visiting friends, hiking, going to the beach, etc. is one way to share that value. 

4. Using points, flash deals, or meeting up with friends

Al is always keeping his eye out for good deals. We research "off peak" times to travel. If there is ever a flash deal, we check the destination. We also always to check to see if we have friends in the area to meet up with or stay with. 

5. Choosing destinations that are financially and emotionally worth it

As we are choosing destinations, we keep our budget in mind. We even have a few that are our "someday" destinations. We cannot afford to go there now, but someday, we'll make it happen. 

Sometimes carrying a strict budget means boiled eggs from our chickens for snack instead of pouches. Sometimes it means choosing not to go to the children's museum. Sometimes it means making a meal plan and sticking to it. Regardless, we are finding ways to make our financial priorities a reality. 

Why Adventure Build Stronger, More Connected Families

When we travel — even just across the island — we see our kids become braver, more curious, more connected. They remember the beach we almost skipped, not the toy we didn’t buy. 

Traveling doesn’t just take us places — it builds our family. It shapes our shared values and strengthens our sense of who we are together. It helps us overcome challenges as a team, and makes our relationships stronger. In my last blog, Travel is the Teacher for Kids (and Parents, Too!), I mentioned that research shows that families who engage in joint activities and adventures report stronger cohesion and a greater sense of shared identity (Fiese et al., 2002). Early family travel has been shown to enhance children’s mental, emotional, and cognitive development by creating a shared identity around exploration and learning (Anderson et al., 2020).

Your Invitation

So when someone says, ‘I wish we could afford to travel like you,’ I tell them: start small. Take a day. Take a walk. Take your kids somewhere you’ve never been, even if it’s just a different beach or a new part of town. Adventure doesn’t ask for a big budget — it just asks that you show up.

We’ll keep sharing our scrappy adventures, one small yes at a time. You can follow along on Instagram @adventureswithsarahandal — or better yet, start your own. Adventure doesn’t ask for a big budget — it just asks that you show up. So take the small yes today.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions: How to Make Family Travel Work on a Budget

1. How can I afford to travel with my family when money is tight?

Start small and local. Adventure doesn’t always mean a plane ticket. Try exploring your own area—new trails, local festivals, or even a weekend camping trip. Set a small, dedicated “travel” savings goal (even $20 a month) so that you’re consistently building toward your next trip.

2. What are “savings buckets,” and how do they help?

We use online bank “buckets” (through Ally) to divide our savings into categories—travel, emergencies, home projects, donations, etc. It makes our priorities visible. Every time money comes in, we intentionally set some aside for travel. It’s a visual reminder that adventure matters to us.

3. How do you find cheap travel deals?

We track off-season prices, set flight alerts, and look for flash deals. We also try to visit friends or family when possible—it saves on lodging and adds connection to our trips. Tools like Google Flights Explore, Skyscanner, and Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) are great for spotting deals.

4. What’s your biggest tip for family travel on a budget?

Know your why. When your goal is family connection and shared adventure, you can find meaning whether you’re flying to another country or picnicking at a local park. When you’re clear on why you travel, the how becomes flexible.

5. How do you balance travel with financial responsibilities?

We keep our priorities visible through our budget. We live simply, buy secondhand, and prioritize experiences over things. That means fewer toys and decor, but more hikes, day trips, and travel memories.

6. Do kids actually benefit from travel and adventure?

Yes—research supports it. Family travel fosters curiosity, emotional resilience, and shared identity (Anderson et al., 2020). Even local adventures strengthen family bonds and teach flexibility, problem-solving, and empathy.

Sources

Anderson, D., & Swick, K. (2017). Young children and global understanding: Promoting connectedness through travel experiences. Early Childhood Education Journal, 45(6), 887–896. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-016-0820-9

Anderson, D., Thomas, G., & Cutler, K. (2020). Family travel and identity development: How shared experiences shape children’s cognitive and emotional growth. Journal of Family Studies, 26(2), 210–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/13229400.2018.1498901

Brown, B. B., & Larson, J. (2016). Parent preparation and resilience in family travel: Impacts on child enjoyment and learning. Family Relations, 65(3), 425–438. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12202

Chawla, L. (2015). Benefits of nature contact for children. Journal of Planning Literature, 30(4), 433–452. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885412215595441

Fiese, B. H., Foley, K. P., & Spagnola, M. (2002). Routine and ritual elements in family mealtimes: Contexts for child well-being and family identity. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2002(97), 67–89. https://doi.org/10.1002/cd.36

Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Beacon Press. (Original work published 1946)

Kalmijn, M., & Monden, C. W. S. (2006). Are the negative effects of divorce on well-being dependent on marital quality? Journal of Marriage and Family, 68(5), 1197–1213. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00323.x

Kashdan, T. B., Biswas-Diener, R., & King, L. A. (2018). Experiential learning and well-being: Why experiences beat material possessions. Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2017.1344678

Smith, L., Brown, J., & Williams, R. (2019). Patience and adaptability in family travel: Emotional regulation and growth. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(5), 560–573. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000519

UNESCO. (2018). Learning to live together: Education for intercultural understanding, human rights and peace. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org

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