Given the continued increase in basic living costs, people are ever more anxious to find money saving strategies.

Vacation planning, particularly for large families, can be time-consuming and exhausting. In this article, we’ll cover tips that will help you cut down on costs and still enjoy a great vacation. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Save on airfare by being flexible with your dates.

If you are able to travel on a slow day like a Tuesday, Wednesday or an early Sunday morning flight, you can often save yourself a lot of money. Booking flights during non-peak times (like early morning or red-eye flights) is also a great way to shave costs.

Today, price negotiation sites such as Priceline.com or Hotwire.com let you book flights for cheaper as long as you don’t care what airline you fly with or what time your flight departs. You can often save about $50-$100 per ticket by booking this way.

2. Buy the package.

If you’re booking a vacation and you know you’re going to need a hotel, you can often save a lot of money by opting to book a complete air, car and hotel package, which is a great investment. Many vacation providers can offer huge discounts if you purchase everything you need in one package deal. And this will save you a lot of time to boot!

3. Go in the off-peak season.

Traveling in the off-season is a great way to see some of the world’s greatest sites while avoiding the crowds and holding onto a lot of money. For example, hotels at the Grand Canyon in February are almost half the price, but the sun is still shining, you can still enjoy crisp sweater weather and you get to take in one of the world’s greatest wonders without battling thousands of other tourists for a view.

4. Use the grocery store.

One of the biggest expenses on family vacation is food. If you’re going to be on the move, make the occasional pit stops at grocery stores and stock up on items like juice, bread, cheese and tomatoes. That way you can stop and make your own sandwiches for a fraction of the price of lunch at a roadside restaurant.

5. Look for kids’ deals.

Whenever possible, look for hotels and restaurants that offer deals where kids can sleep or eat for free. If you’re traveling with your family, this can save a good chunk of your vacation budget.

6. Be a house guest.

If your friends will have you, try being a house guest for your next vacation. You’ll save on hotel costs and get to see your close friends and family. Just be courteous of their time and personal needs while you stay with them.