How We Make Room in the Budget for Family Travel

You know the drill. A photo of some jaw-dropping destination pops up on Instagram—pristine beaches, dramatic mountains, or a hotel room that looks like it was designed by a collaboration of Marie Kondo and Beyoncé. And then you look up the price and can’t believe people spend that on a hotel.

“Must be nice,” you think, maybe with a mix of envy and curiosity. And you’re not wrong—it is nice, and there are ways to afford it beyond overextending yourself with a mix of changing some habits and exploring the beautiful world of credit card points.

Acknowledge the Elephant in the Passport

Before we get into the how, let’s start with the why-not-everyone-can. I was born with the privilege of a passport that opens doors to many countries, a stable upbringing, and access to opportunities that helped me build a life where traveling is even an option. That’s not a merit badge; it’s luck of the draw.

I want to say this upfront because while I’m sharing strategies, I recognize that starting line matters. The tips here are tools, not magic wands. They work in the context of privilege and effort.

Money Doesn’t Always Equal a Good Time

I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum:

• Shoestring Adventures: In my twenties, I traveled the world on $1,000 a month, squeezing every drop of adventure out of a budget that would barely cover a weekend in Napa now. It was thrilling, messy, and some of the most memorable years of my life. Sleeping in 16-bed hostel dorm rooms? Yes. Eating street food that probably broke health codes? Absolutely.
• Luxury Family Travel: Fast forward to today, with a toddler in tow and priorities that have shifted. Now we aim for “easier and more comfortable.” That sometimes means splurging on a hotel where I’m not terrified my kid will lick something dangerous.

Both have their charm, but neither is inherently better. It’s about making travel work for your season of life.

How We Make Room in the Budget

1. We Don’t Pay for Baby or Toddler Goods

Well, almost never. The secret? Thrifting, reselling, and buying high-quality, well-known brands. Over the past two years, I’ve sold more than $7,000 worth of merchandise on Poshmark and mercari, which are peer-to-peer thrifting platforms, while also outfitting our son in top-tier items like the SNOO, Nuna Mixx stroller, and adorable designer clothes—all at a fraction of the original cost.

Why it works:

• Quality Brands Retain Value: When we’re done with an item, I resell it for 40-90% of what we paid.
• Sustainability Wins: Washing, steam cleaning, and reusing means less waste—and honestly, who knows how clean mass-produced items are to begin with?

If I had to choose between new and overpriced or used and better made, I’d pick the latter every time – and I do. We only buy new if I can’t find a good used alternative.

2. We Maximize Credit Card Points

Points are our secret sauce. By strategically using travel rewards credit cards, we’ve flown business class, stayed in luxury hotels, and taken trips that feel far fancier than what we could afford outright.

There’s a learning curve to understanding the ever-changing currency of points, but once you understand the basics, it’s like unlocking a cheat code for travel.

We’ve created a guide to simplify choosing the best credit card for your unique spending habits, and offer a bespoke trip planning service to help you turn points into experiences.

3. We Buy Quality and Use It Forever

We’re not the family with weekly Amazon deliveries or the latest Shein haul. Instead, we invest in things that last:

• My Lululemon pants from 2007? Still going strong.
• Garrett’s wardrobe? A time capsule from the early 2000s.
• Our furniture? Thrifted.
• Our luggage? It has a lifetime warranty.
• Electronics and cars? Used until they die of natural causes.

We focus on longevity because we’d rather save for experiences than replace disposable things.

4. We Don’t Splurge Every Time

I’ve gotten more into bucket list hotels over the years since we spend more time in them with a toddler, but that doesn’t mean that every single place we stay has to be crazy expensive or ultra luxurious. Sometimes, the charming boutique hotel that costs less and offers a more authentic experience is even better. It’s all about balance for us.

We’ll often have one or two splurge stays mixed in with more affordable luxury stays on our trips, and in many countries, your budget goes farther, too.

The Bottom Line

Travel is our priority, and we structure our lives accordingly. Whether it’s reselling baby gear, maximizing credit card points, or holding onto quality items until they’re vintage, we cut back on what doesn’t matter to make space for what does.

But here’s the kicker: No matter the budget, no matter the luxury, the best trips are the ones where you’re present, curious, and open to adventure. Whether it’s a Michelin-starred meal in Paris or street food in Bangkok, the memories come from the moments—not the money.

And that’s how we do it.