As a single mom, finances can be tight, and I knew it would take some strategic planning and scrimping to make the trip happen. Although some parents are willing to go into debt for their dream vacations, I'm not. I've always valued experiences over material things, but not if it breaks the bank.
We created a budget for our trip. In the weeks leading up to our trip, I asked my son to help create our itinerary with one activity per day. The highlight of the weeklong vacation would be Legoland, and we put together a list of attractions in the San Diego area that ranged from free options like the beach or low-cost museum visits to the pricier attractions.
As for the trip itself, there were a few things I could take advantage of. I was able to cash in a couple of bonds that my grandfather purchased for me decades ago, I had air miles I could use for the short trip from Oregon to California, and we had access to a family timeshare. Had we not had some help with these expenses, I likely would have shortened the trip or continued saving for another year.
I focused on finding deals for the rental car, food, and various attractions to maximize our budget while ensuring my son experienced the joy of visiting Legoland and other activities together.
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