Saving Tips
jescapes on 08 3, 2008
If you want a vacation and fear that you can’t afford to have one, don’t despair. You may not be able to stay on a five-star hotel or fly first-class, but with a little creativity and flexibility you can pretty much afford to travel to anywhere you want.
Let’s take a look at how you can make that dream vacation even on a tight budget.
1. Drive if you can
With flight delays and airfare on the rise, it is better to drive than to fly. Driving is more economical, relaxing, and you get to see other places on your way to the desired destination too. You can also bring some food and drinks in the car. Forget about the fancy GPS. You can get to your destination without it. With a little creativity you can save a lot of money. Borrow a travel guide in your public library or make copies of it. If you have access to a computer and the internet go online and print the travel guide from there.
2. Airfare
Be resourceful to save money. Do some research offline and online on where you can get the best airfare deal. Call your airline company if you are a frequent flyer. Maybe you missed that bonus miles you earned a while back. It takes a great deal of planning if you are going international. Airfares are usually expensive especially during peak season. You might consider signing-up an airline credit card that gives you good bonus miles but be mindful of the hidden charges.
3. Accommodation
If one is not picky there are a lot of options out there that one can get. Traveling with friends saves money since you can share expenses with them. If you are traveling alone you might consider staying in a hostel which charges a very minimal amount. Most hostels allow visitors to check in after 3PM and check-out before 10AM the following day. If you have friends or a friend of a friend who lives in the place you are planning to visit then you might consider that too. If they have free time they can be your instant tour-guide.
4. Entertainment
Most places have free attractions. Take advantage of it while it’s free. If you need to pay an entrance fee then check yourself first if you are really interested or if you just feel like you have to. You need to let your brain think it is money going out of your pocket. Check if you can get discounted ticket by using your school card or going there on an off-peak season or by joining a group tour. Most places have parks and exploring it is entertaining. So entertain yourself by doing that because you will never know you might stumble upon a free show.
5. Souvenir and gift items
We are fond of giving gifts to friends and family even if we are short of funds. When we buy it usually comes in T-shirts or caps. For personal souvenir items consider buying something that symbolizes your visit. Make it something that you will really appreciate when you get home or else you will regret spending your hard earned money.
6. Food
If you have access to a kitchen it saves money when you buy your own grocery and cook your own food. But if you don’t like cooking for sure you will come across cheap restaurants while you stroll around the area. One thing to consider before going on a trip is to make a little bit of research about the area such as best places to eat on a budget.
7. Keeping in touch back home
Calling long distance is very expensive but, with today’s technology, keeping in touch with family and friends is not a problem. If you have access to a computer and the internet, there is Skype , which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With a little creativity you can talk to your loved ones free.