Riverwoods, IL, Feb. 18, 2016 – The beaches in Florida are warming up, and that can only mean one thing: spring break.  You may think hitting the road with friends or jetting off with your family will drain your bank account, but it doesn’t have to. Here are five tips to help you return from your trip with some cash in your pocket:

1. Hit the road
Depending on your destination, it may be cheaper to drive than fly. To break up the monotony of a long drive, do some research before you get behind the wheel and plan to stop at designated landmarks or local restaurants along the way. Not only will these stops give you opportunities to stretch your legs, but they also allow you to see, or eat at, some places that you would normally miss if you flew.

2. Don’t Pay Too Much for Your Activities
Take some time before your vacation to plan out what you will do when you are there. This can help eliminate some spur of the moment costs. Organize a self-guided tour based off recommendations and reviews from various on-line city guides, or if you are staying at a hotel, make sure to ask the front desk. Getting local feedback and direction on ‘do’s and don’ts’ in the area can help you avoid tourist traps and wasting funds. Also, remember that a lot of attractions have student discounts, so don’t forget your school ID.

3. Give back on break
Want to support people in need this year on your spring break? Try volunteering with a group to build a house or through a school sponsored trip that is affiliated with a campus organization. These trips often include transportation, lodging and depending on the package, some meals may be covered. These are great ways to meet new people, create lasting memories with friends and serve your community, without spending too much money.

4. Travel off the beaten path
If you’re traveling with a large group, look into rental swaps or lodging a little further away from the action to reduce costs. Even if you’re traveling to a spring break hot spot, staying 15 to 20 minutes outside of the downtown area will likely mean reduced costs for lodging and food. If you are able to find a place that has a kitchen, all the better! Make sure you stop at a grocery store and stock up on essentials. You can take turns cooking dinner with each person making their favorite meal.

5. Earn cash as you spend
Get a rewards credit card that gives you cash back to put toward future purchases. With the Discover it® chrome for Students credit card, you can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 of purchases each quarter. Also, as a new cardmember, all cash back earned during your first year will be doubled¹. As you’re headed out on your trip, stopping at restaurants and filling up your tank, you can start thinking about how you can use the cash back you’ll earn!

Now that you have the tools to budget for spring break, go enjoy your week off with friends and family.

Brought to You by Discover

Discover Student Credit Cards
The Discover it® chrome for Students and Discover it® for Students credit cards offer students a great way to build credit early in their lives. These student cards come with many benefits including rewards on popular student categories, options for support if they miss a payment and resources to help students understand their credit information and manage their finances. For more information, visit www.discover.com/student.

About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America’s cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation’s leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

Media Contact:
Sarah Grage Silberman
224-405-6029
sarahgragesilberman@discover.com

1. Double First Year Cash Back: After 12 consecutive billing periods that your new account is open, we will double all of the cash back rewards you’ve earned and apply them to your account in the following one or two billing periods. You’ve earned rewards when they have posted to your account by the end of the 12th consecutive billing period. You will not receive Double Cash Back if your account is closed or no longer in the cash back reward program as of the award date. This promotional offer may not be offered in the future. This exclusive offer is available only to new cardmembers.