Between Florida and Texas alone, American college students will spend nearly $1 billion on spring break – and that’s just two states! While several students are financially able to afford a spring break vacation, a majority struggles to dish out hundreds (thousands in some cases) for a week of fun in the sun. So how do you save money and still have a good time for spring break?
We’ve come up with a few ideas to have on spring break without breaking your budget:
Staying home for spring break doesn’t have to be boring. Try spicing things up by planning out a “staycation” and coming up with at least one fun thing to do each day. You could check out a museum, try a new restaurant or even explore a new part of town. Check out this awesome list of 30 fun things to do at home to give you some inspiration.
This might not be the most appealing option but it’s definitely one of the most productive. Try making it fun by doing a “coffee crawl,” which involves visiting various cafes and completing a specific task at each one. This could include building a resume at one spot, updating your LinkedIn at another, and so on. Plus, with all the coffee, you’re bound to get something done...right? See if your favorite coffee shop made the list of the best coffee shops in all 50 states.
Studies have shown that planning a vacation can actually make you happier than going on one. Spring break isn’t the only time you can go on vacation. Take advantage of your free time by planning for a future vacation. You should start planning a vacation by planning how you’re going to save up for it. Give the 52-week savings plan a shot and see if you can save an extra $1,378 in a year. It’s easy and starts with just $1 a week.
Many schools offer college credits during spring break week. While this will likely cost some money, at least it’s going towards your education. Can you imagine getting credit for scuba diving in Florida? Or what about a backpacking tour of the Grand Canyon? Emmanuel College has a spring break program that offers four college credits to spend a week in Ireland studying art. Check with your campus, you might be surprised to see what you find.
Volunteering is a phenomenal way to learn valuable skills while making a difference in the world. There are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the US and a majority of them are looking for volunteers. Spending a week (or even a day) volunteering provides numerous benefits, especially to the volunteer. From looking good on a resume to boosting your mental health, volunteering is awesome!
Whether it’s at a beach, on a campus, or somewhere in between,– your spring break is what you make it (with or without money).
Created and compiled by Denise Eder, cuLearn and a talented writer/editor