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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]PP LMC 40K here.  Im up and have insomnia so i figured I'd overshare :)

A few years back, we did a 2.5 week long trip down the California coast that did not break the budget.

Took some flexibility and A LOT of planning but it was one of the most amazing trips we've ever done as a family, and well worth the investment and sacrifice.

That year our family had experienced a lot of hardship and death, so I wanted to take the kids minds off it all and remind them that there is a big world out there.

Here it goes :

Details Family of 3. One Adult Two kids 8 and 10. Trip was two years ago. Spent about $3K.

Looked like this:

Prepping: No souvenirs that couldn't fit in a backpack rule.  I let their journals/digital photos be their souvenirs. I also involved them with sourcing activities on the internet.

Packed - Every person had one backpack with essentials only.  No toys. Four changes of clothing ( two jeans - two pair shoes rule) only. No formal wear. Wont list the whole packing plan here, but looked online for great packing tips. Packed dry food for snacking on airplane and ease of security clearance.

Total Cost for a non outdoor camping  two week trip to California for a family of 3: About $3000

Here's how I did it (Best that I can remember)

Total Planning time: 6 months
Financial Savings time: 1 Year

Travel - (Total $1300) 
Activities Budget ($400) 
Food Budget ($400) 
Lodging (Total $840)

LODGING BREAKDOWN

4 Nights - HI hostel in downtown San Fran, @ 60 per night, private room

2 Nights - Residence Inn style Hotel in San Fran (Expedia)  @ 70 per night, liv room and bedroom and cooking space

3 nights - HI Hostel in Monterrey CA @ 90 per night private room

2 nights - Residence Inn style Hotel in Los Angeles @ 70 per night (Expedia)

3 nights HI Hostel in San Pedro (BEAUTIFUL) by Korean Bell

3 nights - A surprisingly nice AirBnB private apartment @ 90 per night

TRAVEL BREAKDOWN - ( Total $1300 )

Flights - 3 Multicity fares DCA to San Fran,  LA to BWI (Total $750) (Booked to travel on Tue-Thur)

Amtrak California Coastal Line From San Fran - Monterrey - Los Angeles. Total ($150)

Uber/Lyft/Local Trolley/Local Bus/Ferry budget for two weeks ($250)
Zipcar budget for two weeks ($150)

Food Budget ($400)

- Free breakfast at every hotel and some hostels.  We also had groceries locally delivered/sourced several nights and prepared meals.  We ate at local budget friendly restaurants a few times, but less than five times that I can remember, we drank lots of water and packed our lunches

Activities Budget ($400)  (Eventbrite was AWESOME for sourcing unique local free to low cost activities, most things we did were free)

- Beach days, Street Festivals, Car Shows, Cultural Events, Film Screenings, Monterrey Aquarium (Got Discounted Tickets from Craigslist), Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay Ferry to Oakland, Museums, Local Parks, Historical Sites, College Campus Tour, Book readings, Church visits, Free concerts, ran a 5K, too many to list!

I know this was long, (maybe better for a thread on the travel forum) but if OP wanted a little inspiration I hope this helps.

Planning, creativity, and priorities are key.  We have a very low expense to income ratio in my home so I stretch my 40K per year a little farther than most people could.

[/quote]

You're amazing! Please start an AMA thread or post more ideas! [/quote]

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