VaNessa Duplessie, Contributor
April 30, 2026
The days are getting longer, and thoughts of summer are starting to fill the hearts and minds of many individuals. While waiting for warmer weather, the freedom from school or work, and ‘vacation time,’ now is the time to prepare for summer fun both mentally and financially. Summer brings a season of increased spending, especially for parents of school-aged children. Budgeting for family trips, summer camps, and childcare is a major expense best planned in advance.
Summer spending is almost here. It's time to make sure you are prepared so you don't overspend. (Getty)
A little planning now can help families stay in control of their spending without missing out on fun. Between travel, dining out, and saying “Yes” more often to unplanned events, we find summer time brings added budget strain to wallets.
Map Out Your “Summer Spend” Before It Sneaks Up on You
Summer spending isn’t usually one big expense; it’s a series of smaller “yes” decisions that add up. For some families, it is planning that one big trip. For others, it’s the added cost of summer camp that doubles as child care. With the cost of day camps averaging $500 per week and kids having an average of 10 weeks off, in the U.S., that’s an extra $5,000 for summer childcare planning before travel or extras even begin.
Taking time to map this out early and adjusting your cash flow accordingly can help you head into summer feeling prepared.
Decide in Advance What’s a “Yes” and What’s a “No”
With rising costs, more families are rethinking how they approach travel. An April 2026 U.S. News Survey found that 65% of Americans have changed their summer travel plans due to rising costs. Knowing what is important to your travel and what you can skip will help lower costs. Do you prefer to stay in a hotel? Or would you do better in a private home or condo? Will you need a car on location or will public transportation work for you? Both have cost factors to evaluate.
This is where clarity matters so you can avoid overspending by trying to do it all. Instead, decide ahead of time what is important for your family. That might mean choosing a rental home or hotel with cooking facilities to cut down on restaurant costs. Or deciding whether a rental car is necessary for your destination or if public transportation will work well.
Even common travel strategies like traveling midweek, on Tuesday or Wednesday, only make a difference if they fit your schedule and needs. This applies to activities and excursions as well. Are the attractions you really want to visit closed on certain days? It’s essential to ask how important they are or if they can be skipped.
Does midweek travel work for your family? Are there constraints on locales, such as museums and attractions that close on Mondays or on particular holidays? Are they an important part of the visit, or can you skip the excursion for something else?
These questions help you evaluate your options. The goal isn’t to maximize every dollar but rather to understand your priorities before you get where you’re going so you can align your spending to what matters most.
Plan for Travel Early (Before Prices Go Up)
The 2026 American Express Global Travel Trends Report shows that travel remains a priority this year, with intentional and milestone trips at the top of travel planning. 79 % of Millennials and Gen Z say that milestone trips feel more rewarding than a typical vacation.
With that mindset, travel becomes more than a quick decision. Locations and timing are chosen with purpose, which can increase demand and costs around peak travel periods, such as the Fourth of July. Planning ahead is one of the easiest ways to stay in control of costs. Booking early can open up better pricing, offer more availability, and help families avoid the higher costs that often come with last-minute travel.
Talk About Money as a Family (Yes, Even With Teens)
Summer offers natural opportunities for real-life financial conversations for families with children, especially teens. Decisions about where to travel and what activities to take part in teach about everyday spending in real time.
These discussions don’t have to be formal. Simply talking about priorities, what matters most for the summer, helps build long-term financial awareness that kids will carry into their lives. Teens, especially, are watching how decisions get made. Involving them in the process helps them develop awareness around money management that they will carry into their own financial decisions later on.
Wherever you travel and whatever you choose to do this summer, the goal isn’t to plan it perfectly. The goal is to enjoy it. A summer vacation is like hitting the reset button . Planning now will help you enjoy the season without the financial stress that follows.
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