Photograph Credit: Fotolia

In stretching our dollars to fund our 2+ week family vacation within a $1,000 budget, we combined savings strategies with patience.

In Part 1 of this series, I posted the cost breakdown of our vacation. The reasons and price tag of our zoo membership comprised Part 2. Today, I will share our most versatile annual pass, our science membership.

Part 3: Science Membership – $35

Researching the Information

Our local science museum does not offer much, but the membership is worth the money for the reciprocal benefits. Unlike the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Association of Science-Technology Centers compiles one list of all the approved science centers.

When you purchase an annual membership with one of the centers on the list, then your annual family membership gives you free admission to all the other centers on the list. Wow . . .what a money saver!

Evaluating the Information

In looking over the science centers on the list, our family has limited options in South Carolina. However, there are a number of science centers in Florida. With our membership, our family could enjoy all the listed science centers paying the one price of $35 for the year. Each of the other centers in Florida offered family memberships starting at $99.

Choosing an Option

Though our family has no plans to visit our local science museum, purchasing this annual family membership is worth every penny. This $35 price is a discount through my husband’s work and does not drop any lower in cost with discounts or daily deal sites, so we purchased our family membership and received two membership cards.

Using our Membership

While we were in Florida, our family attended a multi-building and multi-floored science center as well as a Children’s museum. Other options available were an air museum and an aquatic center which we did not see. My children enjoyed the Children’s museum so much that we visited two different days.

Among the tree house, farm area, large sand box made from bits of rubber – not sand, the fire station, clay creations, grocery store, pizzeria, golf, cafeteria, veterinarian office, and many more areas, my kids had a ball. The best part, our admission was free in Florida because we purchased our science membership in South Carolina prior to our visit.

In researching, evaluating, choosing, and using our science membership, our family enjoyed multiple venues while on vacation and can repeat these activities within the year. In using time wisely to plan for our vacation, we purchased an annual science membership in South Carolina accepted at two additional centers in Florida.

As you plan for your next vacation, spend time researching your science center options. In using time wisely, you might find a science membership your ticket to stretching your dollars. Happy savings!

Question: How often does your family visit a science museum?