1. Watch those speeds. Your already fuel-guzzling RV just consumes more fuel as you make your way across country on foot instead of cruising at a steady 55 mph.
2. Lighten the load. A rig (and trailer!) works harder, so it uses more fuel, which costs you money.
3. Reuse instead of replace. While paper plates, plastic utensils, and other “throwaway” items help keep the weight on board lower (as opposed to their bulkier counterparts), this practice also requires spending more cash to replace these items once and again.
4. Skip the view of the water. Since campsite fees often vary by location, our advice is to skip the often-expensive scenic sites whenever possible. You can’t see what you’re missing at night, and we bet you’ll be too busy during the day to enjoy the scene outside your RV window. Make up for it by taking the spouse on a (free) romantic outing to see what all the fuss is about.
5. Ask for discounts when checking into an RV park. Beyond the obvious, reduced overnight stays are sometimes obtained for Triple A members, military service, and police and fire personnel, as well as a few others.
6. Buy a diesel. Yes, it’s more money up front, but it comes with lower fuel costs (and better mileage) and the renowned longevity of diesel should make up for it, and then some, over the life of the vehicle.
7. Fuel is at the heart of an RV’s ongoing costs. Therefore, it makes sense to belong and practice membership in as many fuel providers as possible, where you can save a lot of money.
8. Eat inside. Dining out almost always costs more money.
9. And if you have to eat out, choose places that offer early bird specials. You’ll find similar sized portions, but at lunch prices. Plus, breakfast and lunch offer the best bang for your buck for dining out.
10. Only pay for what you can use. When reserving a campsite, don’t sign up for full hookups if you won’t be using them. Carefully examine what you need, and what you can do without, to avoid double spending.
11. Don’t overpay for cell phone use. Shopping around. Long-term phone commitments are over.
12. Libraries have thousands of books waiting for someone to read them. Lots of new titles, too. Best of all, they’re free, which begs the question, why buy splurge at the bookstore?
13. If a national park is on the itinerary, definitely be sure to purchase a National Park Pass, which grants users (and their compatriots) free access to the nearly 400 locations within the system.
14. Keep those tires properly inflated. Doing so increases fuel economy and prevents flats, which should hopefully put an end to afternoons stranded on the side of the road after a flat.
15. Join a roadside service. Yes, there is a fee, but it is much cheaper and more reliable than expensive trailers in parts unknown.
16. Towable RVs last longer and are cheaper to operate and maintain than their motorized counterparts. It’s not a value judgment, just a fact.
17. Visit all those prime vacation spots out of season or, better yet, when one season mixes with another. Disney World in January and February is significantly cheaper than the summer and holidays when visits (and prices) are higher.
18. Don’t be afraid to compare camp prices. However, be sure to take into account the recreation offered at each one. A boring camp will cost you more money since you will have to pay for your fun elsewhere.
19. Subscribe to magazines instead of buying them in parts. This clever practice easily saves readers 50 percent and often much more per year. Better yet, access that library and read the latest issues for free.
20. This is a nod to my economics professor. Do you have extra money lying around? Pay off that credit card debt. The juice of that Visa alone can improve your results.
21. If you’re thinking of buying a vehicle to tow behind your RV, buy the lightest, most fuel-efficient vehicle you can afford. Don’t overspend here. This is not a “status” vehicle, but something simply to get you and yours from point A to B.
22. A high-quality used RV obviously costs less than a new one. We can thank the disapproval for that. However, that’s assuming the vehicle is in good shape and buyers can identify a potential lemon when they see one. And in this market, there are great deals.
23. Easy things cost more. Convenience stores are just that, but expect significantly higher prices than traditional grocery stores. Camping tents, even more convenient, are often even expensive. If the shopping list includes more than five items, take a trip to the city where your dollar goes the most.
24. There are many free or low-cost attractions. State parks rarely charge admission; National park fees are often very low or non-existent. Call ahead for free days at museums and the like. Prefer matinees to prime time for movies. Get in the habit of asking, “Is that the best rate you can give me?”
25. Impulse purchases rarely work out the way you’d like.
26. Be careful with memories. New rule: each child receives a memory. A. Of course, it is wise to share this command with young people before going to the amusement park.
27. Do not think too much about fun. I haven’t met a child who doesn’t relish the opportunity to spend an afternoon in a pool. Consider other low-cost, fun activities like throwing a few lines in the pond, playing basketball, teaching your daughter the strike zone, throwing Frisbee, learning a new sport, exploring the woods, or riding a bike. What do all these activities have in common? Each provides plenty of one-on-one with the kids, great exercise, and next to no money to enjoy.
28. When you buy an RV, ask the dealer to provide free RV storage or a year of oil changes to secure the sale. You’d be surprised what they’ll do to make the quota.
29. Ask yourself this question when contemplating a purchase, any purchase: What will it do?
30. Don’t be embarrassed about using that senior discount. You’ve earned it, you deserve it, so use it now.
31. Shop prices when it’s time to buy fuel. A penny saved per gallon adds up to a lot over the course of a summer’s trips.
32. To keep weight issues (and therefore gas issues) down, enforce this rule: Each crew member can only carry one bag. Argue.
33. Be aggressive when it comes to lowering the weight of the RV. Do you really need all of those: 1) tools; 2) clothing; 3) canned goods, 4) kitchen utensils; 5) Big extravaganzas you know you’ll never wear. And empty out that roof rack while you’re at it, since most of them only serve to: 1) add unnecessary weight; 2) impair aerodynamics; 3) risking (your) life and limb trying to access them for grandma’s Swedish meatball recipe.
34. Shorten the trip. Do you really need to venture across the country for the best vacation? Chances are, your family will settle for a shorter driver and more free time. Offsetting not only saves a small fortune in fuel, tolls, and wear and tear, it gets the vacation started that much faster.
35. I know you like bottled water, but hey, come on.
36. Visit the websites of the attractions that interest you most. You’d be surprised at the savings coupons many offer, just on the website, as an added incentive for a visit.
37. Recycle like hell. Those five-cent aluminum cans really add up. And it’s ten cents in Michigan. Mother Earth will thank you.
38. A digital camera pays for itself in terms of foregoing expensive film processing charges at the pharmacy. Not only that, but digital images are easier (and cheaper) to send and receive. Also, a decent printer allows users to print the best photos of the bunch.
39. Automatic bill payment at best generates discounts from creditors and at worst provides peace of mind, with no late payments, late fees or shipping costs.
40. Before you leave home, put down the newspaper, turn down the temperature, suspend gym memberships, postpone trash pickup, and consider any and all moves that can save you money while you’re away.
41. Unless you work full time, stock the deck with second-hand items. Why spend big bucks on gourmet kitchen items, fancy linens and towels, or the latest gadgets, equipment, or gadgets when it’s all about a vacation home?
42. Keep children out of the arcade, gift shop, and souvenir stalls as much as possible. Your accountant will thank you. Besides, wasn’t this supposed to be a family trip? Start bonding with your kids, people.
43. Paying even modest prices for music downloads over the Internet saves a lot of money compared to buying traditional CDs when collecting songs for the family road trip.
44. My recommendation is that cash in your pocket is almost always spent quickly. Get in the habit of going to the ATM fewer times and withdrawing less.
45. Just because you’re on vacation, happy, relaxed, and loving life, doesn’t mean you have to spend money like a drunken sailor. Lose the easygoing attitude when it comes to your cash. The bills will be waiting for you when you get home.
46. Board game night is cheap, long-lasting fun.
47. Favor RV parks that refuse to charge extra for: running air conditioning, showers, pets, or oversized rigs.
48. Do you know how much a full holding tank weighs? bundles. Empty those tanks whenever possible and resist the urge to top up your fresh water supply. Remember, lower weights result in better gas mileage and less wear and tear on the vehicle.
49. Tickets for not wearing a seat belt or for speeding are useless expenses.