7 Ways to Save Money on Memorial Day
It’s easier than you think to save money on Memorial Day. It can be tempting to have fun and not focus on the cost of a vacation or road trip. With a little bit of preparation, you can watch your wallet and save money during the holiday weekend.
Memorial Day can be a great time to spend time with friends and family and thank someone for serving our country.
Here are 7 ways to save money on Memorial Day
Save money on lodging by using AirBnb
If you are traveling for Memorial Day, consider staying at an AirBnB instead of a hotel. This is one of the best ways to save money on Memorial Day and the entire weekend!
Airbnb is basically an online marketplace that allows you to rent out other people’s homes or apartments when you travel. If you have a separate home or spare bedroom, you can also rent out your space to travelers to earn some extra money.
Airbnb lists properties all over the world and it’s easy to find affordable rates and even discounts if you’ll be staying for longer than a week.
Airbnb is convenient and you can filter your lodging requirements depending on your budget and preferences.
You can book a private room or home with access to a kitchen so you can make your own meals instead of spending money at restaurants while you’re away from home. Sign up here to get $40 off your AirBnB rental!
Pack wisely for travel
Make a list of what you need to bring ahead of time. This will help you really think about what you already have and what you need to purchase.
Don’t underestimate the costs of bringing extra unnecessary luggage when you travel. Lately, when I travel I’ve been packing with a more minimalist mindset to avoid bringing a ton of stuff I never end up using.
If you are flying, you may be able to fit all your belongings into a carry-on suitcase that you can bring on the plane with you. This will cut out the checked back fee which could range anywhere from free to $50 depending on which airline you fly with.
If you’re driving, you probably want to pack light regardless to avoid having to keep up with a ton of luggage or possibly even buy an extra back on the way home to transport gifts, souvenirs, etc.
I recently purchased a luggage set and I’ve gotten so much use out of it. I have these three different size suitcases (they were a good deal!) so I can pack wisely based on how long I will be on vacation.
Save money on groceries
If you are traveling and going on a road trip, pack a small cooler with drinks and snacks.
Memorial weekend and other holidays is a great time to take advantage of cashback savings with apps such as Ibotta. With the Ibotta app, you simply scan in your receipt and your groceries and earn cash back. Get $10 for signing up with Ibotta!
Another app similar to Ibotta is Fetch, but instead of getting cash back, you get points for each receipt you scan, no matter what you buy. You can get 2,000 bonus points just by signing up with this link.
If you will be staying at an AirBnB and need groceries, you can order from Shipt while on the road or prior to leaving. Upon checkout, you can select the time you want your groceries delivered.
Shipt also has same day delivery with Target, which is amazing. You can prepare sandwiches and munch on other healthy snacks instead of having to stop and settle for price Get $10 here for signing up with Shipt!
Another option with same day delivery is Instacart. If you want to check the stores in whatever area you’re in, you can do so with their app. Try out Instacart here.
Prep for a picnic or day trip
If you are heading to the beach, lake or park, don’t forget to pack a picnic basket.
Bring your condiments from home by putting them in small containers and bottles. I like to use these for ketchup, bbq sauce, and mustard so I don’t have to schlep full-size containers with me.
Pack a few sheets of tin foil, Ziploc bags and paper towels instead of bringing each full-size item. By only packing what is really needed, it makes for an easy cleanup and less stuff to pack up and bring back home.
Cash in rewards or points
If you use a credit card or debit card to earn cash back, Memorial Day is a great time to cash them in, especially if you are going on vacation.
Redeem gas saving discounts (generally in increments of 10 cents a gallon) from your grocery store or warehouse membership.
You can also cash in points for gas cards or dining gift cards from reward programs. I rely on Rakuten and Ibotta to earn cash back that goes directly into my bank account and PayPal account.
Shop the sales
If you’re a shopper, Memorial weekend is a great time to save money. Many companies will advertise their sales ahead of time, which is super helpful when planning a shopping trip.
Don’t forget to browse websites and search for coupons. Many stores will let you combine or use multiple coupons. Instead of printing coupons out, save them to your cell phone so they can be scanned at checkout.
Find free or cheap entertainment
If you are getting together with a large group of family or friends, pack a football, play catch or throw a frisbee. Other fun games include an egg or water balloon toss.
One popular source of entertainment is heading to a local or state park. Many parks will have grills available for use; just remember to pack charcoal and your picnic basket.
Local watering holes and the beach are also a great ways to enjoy the outdoors for free.
In addition, check for local events. Many towns have parades and fairs that are free to attend. This is a great way to take the family out for the day and save money on Memorial Day!
Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays because it always involves hanging out with friends or family. Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without the amazing men and women in our armed forces.
Related reading:
- 7 Ways to Save $500 Right Now
- 17 Painless Ways to Save Over $300 in 30 Days
- How to Track Your Expenses
- Tips for a No Spend Day or Week or Month
- How to Save Money on Groceries Without Coupons
I’m just going to stay at home and sleep. I really need to catch up on some shut eye and recharge my mental batteries.
That sounds pretty good! I am way overdue on some extra sleep 🙂
Alas, I work holidays. I don’t generally care, though, because volume is low and I still get paid. So it’s kinda sorta like a three-day weekend (she rationalized to herself).
Haha, I like your way of thinking!
Sounds very affordable! My Memorial Days the past few years have been pretty uneventful, and this year may end up being the worst of all. I have the GMAT a week from Saturday so this weekend is kind of shot.
Yuck, but at least the end is near!
I love how you planned a fun get together that didn’t require a ton of money. I too am looking forward to the long weekend to just relax and spend an extra day away from work. We will most likely grill out at the house and have a few friends over. Outdoor activities will also probable occur 🙂
I am also looking forward to relaxing and just having a fun time on Memorial Day!
I love Memorial Day cookouts and get-togethers! While it isn’t Memorial Day, there is actually another holiday here on the same day this year. We are considering doing a day trip somewhere if the weather is nice (we just haven’t decided where yet). Also, I posted my Liebster Award post today — thanks again for the nomination! 🙂
Oh how fun! I love going on day trips! Can’t wait to read what you wrote today 🙂
I’m also VERY excited for a 3 day weekend. We’re having a family cookout on Sunday 🙂
Family cookouts are the best!