With the rising gas prices and food prices, vacations are becoming more and more difficult to afford. With a little planning, you can start saving more so you can enjoy your family vacation.

To decide on a vacation budget, choose your destination first so you can research the costs. Are you going to stay close to home? Or visit somewhere out of state? Are you going for a long weekend? A week? Longer? All these factors will determine how much money you will need and time off from work will be needed.

Going somewhere during the off season can save a bundle on vacation expenses. Many places offer off-season discounts, which can be sizeable. Take advantage of trusted on-line travel sites, such as Expedia or Travelocity that might offer special package deals that would save you money.

Camping is another activity that can be wonderful for the family but less expensive as well. There are campsites everywhere and you can camp and still enjoy your favorite theme parks. National Parks also have great camping facilities.

Once you have decided where you are going and the cost, find ways to set extra money aside each week. Are there little things you can cut out to put in the fund? Fewer takeout meals, cups of designer coffee, or other splurges can make a huge difference in the budget. Another way to add to the vacation fund is to have a garage sale. Not only will you earn some extra cash, you will clear out some of that stuff that's been cluttering up the house. Make it a family project, with everyone donating things for the sale. You can also set aside a change jar and contribute your change each day. While small, it can really add up over time and it won’t seem like you are making a big sacrice.

Keep your vacation saving separate from your regular accounts. Many banks offer free checking or savings accounts. Each week, deposit the money you saved. There are also pre-paid debit cards. You can add money to those and when you have enough, you can use the debit card to directly pay for the vacation.

By planning ahead and making small changes in your life, you will find that your vacation isn’t as unaffordable as you first thought. Just think of all the wonderful memories your family will have.