Travel on a Budget

Traveling is an amazing way to learn about new cultures and experience new things! However, it can leave your wallet feeling a little light by the end of it. This feeling can lead to stress and anxiety because now you have to save all over again. Having fun on a vacation does not need to cost an arm and a leg. It all starts with a great plan. Below is an outline how to enjoy your vacation to the fullest, without breaking the bank in the process.

Key tips:

1)     Buy food and alcohol from stores when possible

2)     Plan for the “Need to do’s” vs “want to do”

3)     Find Free Activities

4)     Don’t Pay too much to Stay

5)     Drive vs Fly

6)     Use deals and coupons

Bring your own food and alcohol

               Eating at restaurants and drinking at bars can easily leave you spending exponentially more on a vacation. Alcohol is the largest profit maker for restaurants with how much they mark up their prices; furthermore, two sandwiches from a national chain could leave you spending over $20 dollars, which is outlandish. Even buying snacks at a gas station is more expensive than buying them at a grocery store.

               To combat the crazy prices, bring a cooler, buy nonperishable items, or use the fridge wherever you are staying to store groceries. Top things we like to buy at grocery stores when traveling include:

·        Cold Cuts and sandwich supplies

·        Beer!

·        Liquor

·        Chips and Snacks

By having all of these supplies, it’ll be easier to use your money towards meals and drinks that you actually want, not just a sandwich from a chain you can get anywhere. Air BnB’s and some hotels also offer full sized kitchens or kitchenettes. This is ideal if you are passing through a place or just wanting to have an easy night in.

Just because you won’t be eating and drinking out every meal doesn’t mean that you will be missing out either! Find a local park or scenic nature area and now you have dinner with a view.

Plan “Need to dos” and “Want to do”

               Basically, this is a priority list. On a vacation there are so many options of what to do. which may may make it hard to choose what to do in the time you have. The reality is, when we are trying to manage our budgets, it may not be possible to do everything.

For example, when my friends and I were last in Seattle, we wanted to go up the Space Needle; however, when we saw the pricing and wait times, it was not worth it to us at all. That was a “Want to do”, but by no means was it a “need to do” in our opinion. Instead, we went to a museum and walked around downtown. It was a better use of our time and we didn’t miss out on anything that we really wanted to do. For some people, the Space Needle is on the top of the list of things to do; however, it just wasn’t for us. Having a priority list allows for wiggle room in the plans in case something doesn’t work out.

Find Free Activities

               This pairs nicely with the last tip. There are typically free options at vacation spots. Museums, beaches, hikes, farmer’s markets and other activities can be free! It will just take a little bit of research in the planning phase of the vacation.

For example, when visiting Connecticut, I chose to go out forging in the forest with my friend who is a local. There are other, more expensive options, but this is a great time to catch up with an old friend, learn about nature, and kill a few hours. It was a better use of my time in my opinion.

Options I find common around most places:

·        Farmer’s markets

·        Art fairs

·        Art markets

·        Summer concerts in the park

It may take a little bit of time to look up, but there are almost always free options for things to do on vacation. This will allow for you to allocate money to experiences that cost more money.

Be conscious of how much you are paying to stay somewhere

               On vacation, most of the time you’re out and about. The main times that you’ll be in the hotel room will be to get ready to go out or to sleep. So, spending a lot of money on a room can be an unnecessary cost. Sleeping accommodations are one of the largest expenses of most vacations.

Now, this is a cost that is almost unavoidable, but can be manageable. If you know anyone in the area, see if you can stay with them. I typically will offer to cook my hosts dinner or to pick up a bar tab as a “thank you” for having me.  This is still less expensive than paying for a whole night at a hotel.  

If you don’t have friends in the area, other options include:

·        Air BnB or another hosting App

·        Camping

·        Booking with a discount travel site like Expedia

Camping doesn’t have to be roughing it in the woods! When we were last in Maine, we got a campsite outside of Portland for just $30 a night. Now, we did plan for this and brought our own gear. If you are not an outdoors person or don’t have the necessary gear, typically there are “Glamping” sites that have basic necessities and are still less expensive than a hotel room.

The more you plan for sleeping accommodations, the better deals you can find. Be sure to not compromise safety in your quest for a cheap night. There are many safe, secure places that will meet your needs and keep your wallet happy.

Pick the right mode of transportation for your budget.

               Mode of transportation is another major portion of a travel budget. You could save a considerable amount of money by choosing an affordable mode of transportation.  Driving and flying are two very common options because they can get you almost anywhere, especially in the United States.

·        Flights are expensive, but sometimes cannot be avoided. Booking a flight on a Tuesday will typically lead to lower prices. Also, check surrounding airports. Hubs such as Atlanta, GA or Charlotte, NC are typically cheaper than smaller airports like Columbia, SC. It varies depending on how many flights go to each destination a day.

·        Another option is to drive. If the drive is within 12 hours, it can typically be completed within one day, especially if you are traveling with friends. The only thing you will need for this is a reliable car. If the car is not reliable, then do not risk it. Before the trip, it is important to be sure that your car is up to date on its routine maintenance. The last thing anyone needs is to be stuck or stranded on the side of the road because of an avoidable car issue. If you do choose to drive long distances, especially in summer, be sure to pack water and possibly snacks in case of an emergency.

·        Trains are also less expensive and can get you to many places. The only issue is that trains do not run in every part of the country; however, they are pretty common in most cities in the United States.

·        Public transportation is another option in metropolitan areas. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

Weigh your options on which mode suits your travel needs best. There are options!

Use Deals and Coupons

               A great to find deals and coupons is relatively easy with the internet. Websites like Groupon make it easy to find deals from a variety of vendors and activities. If you are looking for a certain brand or activity, check out that company’s website to see if you are eligible for a discount. Sometimes, museums and other activities will have days where people can go in for free or at a discounted rate.

               A little research now, can save you money in the long run!

 Conclusion

`Traveling is a luxury that most people can afford with the right preparation. Even if a budget is tight, there are ways to make a trip work. A vacation doesn’t need to be about paying for high priced items. It is about seeing new things, relaxing, or spending time with those you love. The simplest way to save money on a trip is to plan before heading out. Using the tips above, you will be able to stretch your budget further than before! Safe Travels and have fun!