Photograph Credit: Fotolia

If you are considering travel this holiday season or adding to your vacation savings for next year, then you are probably looking to stretch your dollars to the limit.

Like me, you probably want the confidence knowing there is no better deal around than the one you snagged. 🙂

Last week in Part 1, I shared the cost breakdown of our summer vacation where we spent less than $1000 for a 2+ week family vacation. In continuing this series, I will share more details about how we spent that money.

Part 2: Zoo Membership – $210

Researching the Information

Our family has purchased a zoo membership almost every year. In the past, we chose our local zoo which offers an annual membership under $100. Though the price was reasonable, the real benefit for us was the reciprocal options.

We used to purchase our membership and enjoy the benefits at home. Then when we traveled to Florida, we were granted free admission via the reciprocal arrangement to a larger zoo that carried an annual membership of $210. We did not get membership benefits like premium parking or free rides, but the admission price was waived. Purchasing a membership at the less expensive zoo helped in stretching our dollars while enjoying the benefits of both zoos.

When the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) changed their reciprocal policies a couple years ago, I stopped purchasing our zoo membership. The AZA moved to a mostly 50% reciprocal arrangement. When I called the zoos that were listed as 100% reciprocal (meaning free admission to zoo members), I received exceptions to that rule making those zoos a 50% savings or none at all.

Upon gathering my information that purchasing my zoo membership at home would only get us a 50% discount in Florida and we planned to visit the zoo in Florida multiple times, we looked at the options at the zoo in Florida.

Evaluating the Information

Local Zoo

With an annual family membership + 2 guests costing less than $100, we could get free admission at home for us and 2 guests. For the guests to enter, they would need to arrive with us at the gate.

This membership also gave a 50% discount off admission to the zoo in Florida.

The daily admission in Florida is over $20 per person. With the 50% discount, we would pay $50 ($10 x 5) to get in the gate on each visit. Then we would still need to pay for rides which would quickly exceed the $210 annual membership cost of the zoo in Florida.

Florida Zoo

The $210 annual family membership + 2 guests included admission and all the rides, except for the animal rides, for our family and 2 guests.

Because this membership gives each individual a card, a family of 5 and 2 guests get 7 cards. The guests do not need to be with membership holder to gain access into the zoo. The reciprocal benefits were still 50% at home where admission is less than $10 per person.

Making a Choice

Realizing that the best deal for our family was the annual family membership + 2 guests to the zoo in Florida since my parents could use the guests passes anytime during the year, I began watching the daily deal sites for discounts on the annual memberships.

Already subscribed to the Florida area, I kept a watch. Though I found a few deals at this zoo, none were for an annual membership.

Realizing that we did our part in looking for a discount, we arrived at the zoo on our first visit and willingly purchased our annual family zoo membership + 2 guests for $210.

We enjoyed the zoo 3 or 4 days during our visit without spending any more money on admission or rides for subsequent visits. My kids loved the animals and rides, and I enjoyed flashing our cards without making a payment.

Purchasing Extras

Checking out the zoo, I found that the souvenir mugs sold for $7 each, and refills cost $1. Realizing that my parents would also visit the zoo, we purchased one mug and shared it. Then when we returned, we brought it to the park filled with water. When the water was depleted, we refilled for $1.

With this savings, we enjoyed stretching our dollars while having a treat at the zoo. We then left the mug at my parents’ home for them to enjoy on their next trip to the zoo using their guest passes.

In planning our vacation, we found researching and evaluating a great use of our time. When we made our choice we knew it was the best option for our family. We paid the $210 and will get more use of this membership if we visit our local zoo and when we return to Florida next summer.

As you continue stretching your dollars, research your options, evaluated them, and make a choice. Then look for daily deals to score deep discounts or pay full price knowing you are getting the deal for your dollars while using time wisely. Happy savings!

Question: What do you think about annual memberships?