Sooner or later everyone needs to take a vacation. Whether you go somewhere far away and stay there for a week or you do some in-state visiting and only take a day or two to vacation and relax, it helps to know a few money saving tips before you hit the road on your mini- or maxi-vacation.
This isn’t just about saving money on booking a cruise to watch the fireworks or or picking what hotel to stay the night at. It’s also about the best ways to make your money last while you are enjoying some time away from the grinding gears of work life.
Make a Plan and Stick to It
Lesson will teach you that an adventurous vacation may send you home broke, and earlier than expected. You can experience adventures on vacation, just don’t make them spontaneous ones, unless you put away some extra money for them.
Don’t get sucked into too many tourist traps. While these roadside adventure can build fun memories for a lifetime, the admission costs tend to be a little pricey and they add up quick. If your vacation is all about roadside haunts do your research ahead of time so you only go to those you really want to and have the money for them set aside. This way you won’t go broke on day one.
Have a Foods Collection
It also helps to have an eating itinerary if you are on a free will vacation. Take some snacks with you that don’t need to be refrigerated or heated and make a plan for specific meal stops. Have a set amount of money to spend at these stops too. If you’re conserving money for the whole trip be sure your fellow travellers know how much they are allotted for their meals.
While it might be fun to sit down at a fancy restaurant, unless that’s been scheduled into your original vacation plan don’t waste the money. That could be extra gas to get to the art museum you’ve been dying to enjoy.
Where You’re Going and How to Get There
From where you stay to how you get there, there are many ways to save money when taking a vacation, no matter how many are coming along. Book your stay at an airbnb to save money over hotel rooms. Find flight deals or cruise deals by doing some research online. Depending on where you’re going, flying may be a cheaper option than driving, but if you want to make some sight-seeing stops on the way then driving may be the only option.
Take a look at the vacation and visitor’s guide for where you are going and start making a plan on what you are going to do there. See if you can find coupons or discounts for museum admissions, theme parks or even golfing.
You’re more likely to enjoy your vacation and time away if you have a good plan and don’t stray and run out of cash.