Travel More, Spend Less.
We are coming off of school April vacations and summer vacations are coming up. What can be done that is affordable, fun and doesn’t put us into debt? What can we do to take that dream trip but not bankrupt ourselves? What other options are out there?
Do you want a big trip to Disney, Europe, Brazil, or a cruise? Are you Looking for a quick, long weekend bit of fun for the family, for example, Boston, The White Mountains, or Acadia? How about looking for a day trip wandering around Portland, browsing the shops in Boothbay Harbor or finding a local beach?
Save early. Start a savings account just for fun/vacations. Set up automatic transfers into this account. Make sure that you don’t touch this, just save. Remember that this is for your time to get away, for yourself, for your family. Do not use the funds for anything else.
Plan
Some vacations are BIG. You need to do your research. What does your budget need to look like? What are your priorities? Do you want to rent a car or stay on-sight? Can you choose between taking an all-inclusive tour or wandering on your own? Is there a food package or is finding restaurants and culinary experiences a priority for you? Take time to make lists and do research. You never know where you might find something that you might have missed if you just booked and went. I found a hotel in the National Geographic 100 Unique Hotels in the World, in Iceland. It was cheaper than the Bubble Hotel that I was looking at and it was amazing! Put these all together then budget the trip out.
Is this just a quick getaway? A weekend to clear your mind. A weekend to do something special with your kid(s). A romantic getaway is always nice! Escaping your family for 24 hours? Girl’s trip? If you are not going alone, split all costs. Airbnb might be much cheaper than 2 hotel rooms. Splitting the cost of gas and snacks will help. When you get there, are there free attractions? Hikes? Places to swim? A spa might be the dream but look in nature for hidden places. There are tons of websites that point you to hidden gems. We have found some absolutely gorgeous waterfalls all over New England, just by searching.
Day Trip. Maine is an incredible place. Want to see the ocean? Here it is. Want to hike in the mountains? Drive an hour or so. Want to kayak on a river? I dare you to pick just one. Want to lounge at the lake? Pick a direction and go!
Utilize travel apps and websites to find deals. Can you get a deal on airfare if you book that and hotels through an app?
Set alerts for where you want to travel to. These will notify you when a deal comes up associated with your destination
Set up a tracking sheet to compare your finds
Check multiple websites, they do have different prices
Be flexible with your dates and where you travel from and to
Look for public transportation
Travel off-season – Sometimes traveling off-season can save you up to 50% or more
Use points! If you know that you want to travel, consider putting credit card points towards your trip.
Is there a fridge where you are staying? Utilize the local grocery store for breakfasts (if not included) or lunches that you can pack and take on your day
In some countries, towns, or cities, they have street markets with fresh and cheaper food, you can really have a great cultural experience too!
Street food is usually cheap, authentic, and much better than restaurant chains and if you see the locals lined up, that’s good stuff!
Don’t forget about free walking tours, free museums, Concerts in the Park, Community activities (typically low or no cost). Also remember, it is sometimes ok to sit, watch the world and put your feet up. Vacation is about relaxation!
We all want to have that huge vacation experience. We don’t want our kids to be bored. Remember what is out there for resources. Local, state, national and international. We live in a time where information is everywhere. Talk to others about ideas, make plans and budget for what you want.
Remember too though, sometimes sitting in a hammock and watching the sky is a great mental vacation as well!