A vacation does not necessarily have to be the money sink we all fear and dread. If done correctly, you can save much more money than you can imagine. While there are a lot of luxurious vacation packages that travel agencies are pushing, the words “affordable” and “accessible” are as common as water and blinking. A genuinely frugal traveler would know better than to fall for them. One essential aspect of saving money during your travels is making wise financial decisions before you embark on your journey. This includes evaluating your banking options carefully. When considering how to choose a new bank, look for institutions with low fees, competitive interest rates, and convenient locations or online services. By selecting a bank that aligns with your financial goals, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure your hard-earned money is working for you, both at home and abroad. You can enjoy your vacation without breaking the bank by incorporating smart banking practices into your travel plans.
While there are a lot of luxurious vacation packages that are being pushed by travel agencies and the words “affordable” and “accessible” are as common as water and blinking, a truly frugal traveler would know better than to fall for them.
There are ways in which you can have a proper vacation in which you relax and enjoy yourself without having to spend your hard earned money. All you need to do is be very careful while at the same time be willing to plan and choose everything yourself.
1. Choose your destination and scout out the economy
The very first thing that you have to do is decide where to go on vacation, and while we are aware of the popular destinations, the truth is that every place has something to offer so don’t be afraid to venture out into less popular and frequented destinations.
Check out their economy online by searching for the prices of various basic items such as bread, bottled water, and so on. This will give you a rough idea of what the real price of various items are, thus allowing you to avoid over-inflated prices and “tourist taxes”.
2. Set up the transportation and lodgings
First off, check and see what the cheapest way to get to and from your destination is. The cheapest train tickets, the cheapest flights, the cheapest buses, and so on.
Then, check and see what accommodations you can find. You might not want to go for the very cheap ones, but be sure to at least pick one or a few with decent and reasonable prices. Of course, you can always consider camping, which is why we recommend looking at the best down sleeping bag money can buy. This will keep you warm in any situation regardless of the choice you make (cheap motel or tent).
Once this is all said and done, check and see if there are any travel agencies that can beat these prices. They usually partner up with airlines and hotels, so you might be able to get a better price that way.
3. Pack light and keep a tight budget
Only pack the essential items that you will need on your trip. Usually around 3 changes of clothes, a washroom and toiletry kit, a couple of seasonal items depending on where you are going, and one of the best outdoor watches that you can find.
Another great tip is to pack dual-purpose items. Pants that turn into shorts or a jacket that turns into a travel pillow (check out items here) are worth their weight in airline baggage fees.
A good thing to do is to set aside a decent vacation budget and an extra 10% in reserve, just in case something happens and you need access to additional funds.
In conclusion
It does not take much to plan a proper vacation, even when on a budget. As long as you are careful and take the time to weigh in your options, you will undoubtedly find quite a few ways to save a good bit of money. Just make sure to have a backup fund just in case.