It’s almost the end of summer, and the opportunity for camping trips and backyard barbeques is coming to a close. It’s time to get ready for the new school year and to settle back into a routine. But there’s still time for one more vacation!

Labor Day, the unofficial last weekend of summer, will be here before you know it. So don’t delay, make your plans while there might still be a vacant “room at the inn” for your family. But first, take a look at these money saving tips to make the most of these last few weeks of summe, without blowing through the last of your summer budget.

1.  Money Saving Websites

There are all kinds of ways to save money with online offers. Groupon offers deals on a huge variety of activities, restaurants, hotels, even transportation. Explore the internet to find the best deal before paying full price when planning your vacation. Another social media multi-deal website is Living Social and Amazon Local. Subscribe to one or all three and you’ll receive more emails, but you will have many more bargain priced opportunities to vacation for a weekend or longer.

2.  Carpooling and Public Transportation   

The best way to travel is with a car full of friends. The more the merrier! In Butte County, we’re just hours from many great attractions. Get your friends on board for a road trip to San Francisco or up the coast through the Redwood National Forest. Money saving tips like splitting gas and hotel rooms between a group of people cuts the cost for everyone and you’ll be able to go on trips you might not be able to afford alone.

When in a big city like San Francisco, leave the car somewhere safe and take advantage of public transportation. Between BART and the busses, you can get anywhere in the city without the headache of traffic, parking, and paying for gas. San Francisco is also full of free and cheap activities.

3.  Visit Family

Sometimes a vacation isn’t about the destination, it’s just fun going to a different place for awhile. Staying with family members can cut down on the cost of hotel rooms, and gives you a chance to connect with loved ones you might not see until the holidays. Visit your family members wherever they live, and let them give you a personal tour of the small towns you’d never see otherwise. And if you have family in a big city, all the better!

So make the most of the summer! Get out of town for a relaxing camping trip, or stay out all night in the city. Keep these money saving tips in mind while planning your last summer vacation and don’t forget to stop by the Arc Store for a new outfit or two, or any supplies you might need.