How to Save on Spring Break by Booking This Fall

The leaves are turning colors and the crisp, clean air has returned in most parts of the North, East and Midwest. Soon, giggles and squeals will ring from pumpkin patches across the country and little ghosts and goblins will appear at our doorsteps. Then we'll get to experience the fanfare of Thanksgiving, followed by the holiday season with all its glory.

But you shouldn't wait until the hoopla of the holidays has died down to book your spring break adventure. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why fall is the perfect time to start drawing up those spring break travel plans. For starters, there are spring break options galore for those who plan early, and you'll never have to worry about your favorite hotel selling out. You could also save money -- big money -- by booking early. Who doesn't like that?

The following tips can help you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to saving on spring break:

-- Plan ahead. The spring break season encompasses much of March and early April, which means you are now about six months away. CheapAir.com monitored pricing on over 4 million flights during 2013 and found that airfare tends to drop within $10 of the lowest price within 104 days (or a little more than three months) before departure. Meanwhile, the most expensive time to book airfare was at the last minute the day before. The six-month mark is the perfect time to start saving up and watching prices so you can strike while the iron is hot.

-- Stay flexible. How long is your spring break? If it is longer than a week, you might have some wiggle room to consider flexible dates. For example, arriving and departing on a weekday such as Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday might make a difference in your airfare, since flights on nonpeak days tend to be cheaper. Hotel stays also tend to be less expensive Sunday through Thursday nights. When booking your spring break travel plans, keep those tips in mind.

-- Consider the possibilities. Popular spring break locations such as Daytona Beach, Florida, and Cancun, Mexico are where the party is at, but their allure also makes those locations pricey. Consider visiting slightly less popular destinations for your spring break trip like Gulf Shores, Alabama, instead of Panama City, Florida. Depending on where you go and stay, the savings could be huge. Also make sure to think outside-of-the-box, and consider lodging options besides traditional hotels and resorts. You can often find great deals on condos and private homes on sites like Airbnb.com, VRBO.com and Homeaway.com if you're willing to do a little digging.

-- Negotiate an early deal. Booking your trip early could lead to additional savings if you play your cards right. When in the planning stages of your trip, look for hotels and resorts that advertise early bird specials or special spring break pricing. If you go the Airbnb or VRBO route, you can also try negotiating an early payment discount directly with the owner. All you have to do is ask, and the worst they can say is "no."

After a long, cold winter, spring break should be something your family looks forward to -- not something you dread. To make the experience as seamless and inexpensive as possible, start making plans now. Search the Internet for deals or special pricing, and keep an eye on airfare to all your favorite places. At the same time, it is also important to stay flexible enough so you can take advantage of any unexpected deals that pop up.

A little bit of planning now can go a long way toward a successful and affordable spring break for the people you love. So, what are you waiting for?

Holly Johnson is the founder of personal finance website, Club Thrifty, which provides tips for frugal living, budgeting, and more. Holly also writes about frugality and travel at Get Rich Slowly, Frugal Travel Guy, and her other website, Travel Blue Book.