The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the winter coats have been packed away. Spring is right around the corner! This means one thing to most college students… Spring Break!  It’s the coveted week off from your second semester where you toss the books on your desk and check out for a glorious 9 days. Can’t afford that overpriced trip to Cancun? Don’t feel like dumping all your cash into a week in Daytona? There are tons of ways to get creative and break away from the typical spring breakers and save yourself some money while you are at it.

Road Trippin’

My favorite Spring Break experience was when 6 of my closest friends and I borrowed a van and took a road trip all over Arizona. The biggest expense of that trip was the plane ticket out West. We were able to a good deal by using kayak.com. We couldn’t wait to check out the vastness of the Grand Canyon and the tranquility of the Red Rocks in Sedona. These National Parks and monuments are free so that will leave you wiggle room for a hotel room or a classy Airbnb. We even camped out a few nights, sleeping under the big western sky. Road trips are a great way to spend quality time with your loved ones and experiencing the unique things that the country has to offer. Don’t forget to make a killer playlist before you leave! Use this map to find a National Park that interests you.

Airbnb

On the note of Airbnb, I have had some great experiences with it. This amazing company can provide you with cute, off-the-beaten-path housing for a minimum cost. Always wanted to sleep in an RV by a lake? No problem. Have you dreamed of a swanky London loft? You got it. The world is your oyster with this amazing app. You can plan an entire European vacation and never step foot in a hotel. Make sure you read the reviews on each listing and start a dialogue with your host. Airbnb does their best to insure the safety of their clients, but it’s always the best idea to use common sense.

Do your homework!

The key to planning any vacation is to DO YOUR RESEARCH! There are so many resources available to those looking to travel on a budget. You can visit Groupon for endless all inclusive travel packages. I have my eye on the 8 day trip to Italy for $700! If you still want to make it to Cancun, here is an amazing deal from Travelzoo for $800. You also may want to check out StudentCity, there are some great deals there for all the usual Spring Break hot spots. Just make sure you do your homework. Look online for discounts and coupons. Read reviews and make sure that your location is right for you.

Staycation?

You may decide to stay in the Big Apple for Spring Break. Luckily, there is an endless amount of activities in New York City to keep you busy during your vacation. This would be a great opportunity for you to check out all the typical tourist attractions that make New York unique. You could spend a day on Gallery Row, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, explore Central Park and visit the museums. There are plenty of concerts and plays and special events. If you need to get out of the city, hop in the car for an hour or two and head up to the mountains for a hike or a camping trip.

When it comes to Spring Break, the world is your oyster. Make sure you take the time to properly plan so you can get the best out of your budget. If you have your whole week organized there should be few financial surprises.