When you’re a family of seven, vacations don’t just “happen.” They’re planned. Saved for. Prayed over. And fully paid in cash.
We don’t use credit cards. Not for groceries. Not for emergencies. And definitely not for vacations. We use sinking funds all year long so that when it’s time to travel, it feels like a blessing, not a bill waiting at home.
And lately, if you’ve been searching for warm-weather family trips, you’ve probably seen the same places trending over and over: Florida beaches, Central Florida theme parks, and Cancún.
Honestly? There’s a reason.
But here’s how we do those trips differently.
Why Warm-Weather Vacations Are Winning for Families
Every year when winter drags on, families start searching for sunshine. Florida is leading the charge again. Places like Key West, Destin, and Orlando are at the top of search lists. And internationally, Cancún is still one of the easiest beach getaways for families.
For us, sunshine means simple. It means sandy kids, packed lunches, and long afternoons with nowhere to be.
Florida Favorites
- Destin – Clear water. White sand. Simple beach days.
- Orlando – Theme parks, but also state parks and natural springs most people forget about.
- Key West – A slower pace, beautiful sunsets, and surprisingly laid-back family vibes.
We love Central Florida because you can mix high-energy days with quiet ones. One day at a park. The next at a spring with a picnic you packed yourself.
International Option: Cancún
- Cancún – Warm water, family-friendly resorts, and easy airport access.
While Cancún is beautiful, we’ll be honest. With seven people, flights add up fast. That’s why we usually choose road trips over airports.
Road trips give us flexibility. And flexibility saves money.
Why We Choose Road Trips Over Airports
With five kids, airports feel like a competitive sport.
Road trips, though? They feel like ours.
We pack the car the night before. We bring our own snacks. We stop when we want. No baggage fees. No rental car counters. No rushing.
And the memories start in the driveway.
What We Pack (That Makes a Huge Difference)
When you live in the car for 10–14 hours, small tools matter.
Here are a few things that have saved our sanity:
- A sturdy travel luggage set that can handle being packed by kids
- A backseat car organizer so everyone has their own space
- A portable car trash can
- A portable car bathroom (yes, really — if you have little kids, you understand)
- Refillable water bottles
- A compact cooler for sandwiches and fruit
We finally invested in durable travel bags that actually survive being dragged through parking lots. You can see the ones we use here.
The backseat organizer was a game changer for us on long drives. No more “Mom, where’s my…” every five minutes.
The goal isn’t luxury. It’s less stress.
And less stress makes more room for actual fun.
How We Afford It Without Debt
This is the part I care about most.
Vacations should not follow you home.
We use sinking funds all year. Every month, we set aside money specifically for travel. When spring break or summer hits, the money is already there.
That means:
- No credit cards
- No “we’ll figure it out later”
- No post-vacation regret
It changes the entire experience. When we’re sitting on the beach in Destin or watching a sunset in Key West, there’s peace attached to it.
The kids know we saved for it.
They’re part of the process, too.
Teaching the Kids to Save for the Trip
We don’t just save for them. We teach them to save with us.
Each of our kids uses the Greenlight app to manage their own money. They divide it into saving, spending, and giving. When we’re planning a trip, they often set a personal savings goal for souvenirs or special activities.
We use the Greenlight app to help the kids track their savings and set goals. It’s been one of the best tools for teaching real-life money habits.
When they buy something on vacation with money they saved themselves, it hits different. It’s not just a toy. It’s proof that they planned for it.
Memories Over Luxury
We don’t need five-star resorts.
We need:
- A rental with enough beds
- A kitchen so we can cook most meals
- A beach within walking distance
- A car full of snacks
Some of our best moments have been:
- Eating sandwiches on the beach in windy Destin
- Watching the kids race crabs at dusk in Key West
- Swimming in a Florida spring after a long theme park day
No one talks about the thread count of the sheets.
They remember who they sat next to in the car.
Who spilled the chips.
Who found the first shell.
Final Thoughts for Families Planning a Warm Getaway
If you’re seeing Florida and Cancún trending everywhere, it’s because they work. They’re warm. Accessible. Family-friendly.
But how you do the trip matters more than where you go.
Save first.
Drive if you can.
Pack smart.
Let the kids be part of the process.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you choose to purchase, we may earn a small commission, which helps support our family and this blog. We only recommend products we actually use on our own trips.
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