White beaches, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and the soothing sound of waves in the background. Or how about breathtaking mountain ranges with never-ending views from the top? Even though everyone’s idea of the ideal getaway is different, we can all agree that vacationing requires a significant financial investment.
If, on the other hand, you are willing to be a little creative, you will be able to save some money and avoid ending up broke after your vacation. Here is a list of some cost-cutting measures you can implement before your next trip.
1. Choose foods that are less expensive in terms of cost
This one has held up over time. Food costs a significant portion of the overall cost of a trip, but fortunately, this is an aspect over which you have some control. If you have access to a kitchen, or even if you only have a tea kettle or a microwave, you can prepare a home-cooked meal for yourself. You don’t even have to revert to your normal cooking methods at home. Why not try your hand at cooking a regional specialty?
Are you a bad cook, or does the fact that you’re on vacation mean you won’t have to worry about cooking for a few days? Another option to consider is going out to eat. Being picky about where you go can help you save a significant amount of money. Restaurants in tourist areas typically charge significantly higher prices than more modest eateries located a little further away.
It may be more difficult to understand the menu if it is written in the local language but think of it as just another exciting experience on your trip. You may discover your new favorite dish this way; you never know. You may also combine various elements in any way you see fit. Why not get some food for a packed lunch at a local store or market and then go out to eat later in the day?
2. The timing
Timing is everything when it comes to traveling. It is not uncommon for prices to fall outside of peak travel times, particularly for plane tickets and hotels.
If you have the luxury of choosing when you take your vacation, you can save a significant amount of money by planning your next trip for the shoulder season. You will not only be able to save money, but you may also discover that you prefer visiting popular tourist destinations during less-busy times. Read these tips on how to deal with jet lag and different times zones on your vacation.
3. Be creative in your lodging arrangements
Nowadays, there is a wide range of accommodation options available. Every city has both luxurious 5-star hotels and low-cost hostels. To find an apartment, you can either look for traditional bed and breakfasts or use an online service like Airbnb.
Are the prices of those items still out of your price range? There are still some alternatives to consider. When the owners of a home are away on vacation, the house can be cared for by a house sitter or pet sitter. Although house-sitting is almost always free, some hosts do offer compensation. If you want to find house-sitting jobs that are worth your time, you will need to sign up for a paid platform. However, depending on how long you plan to be gone, that may be an expense well worth making.
Keep in mind that caring for a pet may cause your travel plans to become more limited than you had anticipated.
4. Take advantage of all free activities available
You might be surprised to learn that there are numerous free activities available to you while on vacation. Visiting a city usually entails taking several guided tours. The vast majority of them, and almost without exception the most well-known ones you find online, will have a fee to enter; however, this does not apply to all of them. If you look around online and do a little digging, you can frequently find a few free tours or tours with a donation system. Following the tour, you will be asked to donate whatever amount you are able.
Local attractions such as museums, churches, parks, and markets frequently offer free admission. If you’re going somewhere that isn’t a city but rather the great outdoors, you can still save money by looking into free activities. The majority of large national parks charge admission, but many smaller local parks are equally beautiful.
5. Make a strict financial plan for yourself
Some people want to be able to unwind and enjoy their leisure time without having to worry about money. When they return home, they realize they have spent far more money than they anticipated. To avoid this unpleasant surprise, make a spending plan and stick to it. You have the option of breaking it down into a daily budget, a weekly budget, a location-based budget, or an overall budget for the entire trip. You can try travel hacking when planning your trip to help you stick to your budget.
When you have a budget, you don’t have to worry about whether or not you can afford to buy something because you know how much money is coming in. If it is within your financial means, you can do it. If it does not, you will be forced to forego purchasing that final memento or that third drink at the bar. When you stick to a budget, you free up more of your disposable income for things that are still within your financial means.
6. The following step is to keep working while you are away
What is the best way to save money while traveling? You incorporate the activity into your work.
First and foremost, a word of caution: before you go anywhere, find out if you are permitted to work there. Most countries make it illegal to work for a living while on a tourist visa. On the other hand, there are some workarounds, such as looking for work online.
When you have an online job, you can work from any location you want, as long as the company you work for is based in a country that allows its citizens to do so. Traveling without work, on the other hand, is not the same as traveling without any obligations. Because you will still be required to work during the day, you will not have much time to explore the surrounding area. However, just because you have to work all day does not preclude you from having fun in the evenings and on weekends.
Do you want to do something similar to this? One of the most convenient ways to combine work and travel is to teach English to speakers of other languages, also known as TEFL. Do you enjoy it when it’s warm outside, you can eat pizza, and cities are rich in history? If this describes you, you should look into teaching positions in the UAE.
As you can see, saving money on your next vacation doesn’t have to be difficult if you’re willing to use your imagination
Consider every aspect of your trip, including mode of transportation, lodging, activities, and dining options. If you are having difficulty finding inexpensive travel options, making a budget will ensure that you never return home with an empty bank account. If you want to take it a step further and take it to the next level, you can travel while working at the same time.