I usually plan our trips six to twelve months in advance to get the best deal. I keep my eyes peeled on websites like Groupon, Get Away Today, and Amazon Local. You can sometimes find trips up to half of the regular cost! Another thing I do is research the hotels we plan to stay at and see if they offer any freebies such as breakfast or dinner. This can be a real money saver when on vacation with a family of four. Going back to Groupon I also subscribe to the area we decide to travel to and keep an eye out for deals in the area such as restaurants or activities offered. This saves us quite a bit as out of towners not having access to the local coupons in the area.

Plan a local trip! Many resorts here offer AMAZING discounts during the off season! You can enjoy a change of scene with the family having a staycation. Or depending on where you live you can always choose to "rough it" with your family. In Arizona we are lucky enough to have choices such as camping out up north in the mountains of Rim County or camping out in the desert at Canyon Lake with minimal expense.

For those of you planning Disney trips check out the website Mouse Savers. They offer tons of insight into legitimate contests running to win family trips, when the best time to travel is, where to stay, and much more.