Traveling is one of the most exciting aspects of life. It has been said that when we have small trips or events to look forward to we are happier in our lives overall. But traveling is expensive when you start tallying everything up – planes, gas, food, attractions, souvenirs…the list goes on and on!
There are several smart ways to save money while traveling so your expenses don’t keep adding up. If you spend a lot of money on travel, it can force you to only take one trip per year. We want you to take as many relaxing escapes as possible while sticking to your budget so here are a few tips:
Pack Snacks And Food
Just like you prepare food for your workweek, you can save money while traveling by doing the same thing. Going on a weekend trip to the beach? Plan out your meals and go shopping beforehand. Maybe splurge on one really nice brunch or dinner and the rest of the time budget in activities and sightseeing. Taking a few plane flights? Pack your meals so you don’t waste triple the amount of money on airport food (which is never too good anyway!). By taking the time to plan ahead and thinking about your meals you will be able to save money. Also, bring your own water when you can!
Avoid Gift Shops
This is never easy, it is a learned skill of self-control. The relaxing nature of vacations makes it easy to forget you are on a budget. Window-shopping is one suggestion to avoid buying unnecessary souvenirs but that also may be too tempting. The best way to remember your trip is to take tons of photos. Take photos of the scenery, people, your hotel and the people you are traveling with. These will be much more memorable in the long run and with the advancement of smart phones, it makes being a professional photographer so easy!
Research And Prepare
There are certain things you can plan before your trip even starts that will help you save money. Search for the best deals on plane tickets (certain days of the week are cheaper), checkout Groupon or LivingSocial for deals on activities, and research package deals for hotels and Airbnb. Also research your activities beforehand. Are there certain days where visiting a museum or attraction is free or discounted? When packing, try to minimize the amount you pack so your bag isn’t overweight. Maybe you can even combine everything into one suitcase between you and your partner! There are always small tricks to stay within your means and still have an amazing trip.
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