Need a day off but can’t scrape together enough cash to do something exciting? With an average vacation cost of $1,145 per person, it’s no wonder that so many people struggle to take vacation time away from their jobs. But a few days in paradise shouldn’t require so much money from you!
Here are a few tips to help you travel more often without breaking the bank.
Save Money On ROOMING
When you’re planning for a vacation, it’s frowned upon to still have details up in the air when you’re about to leave. But what if waiting until the 11th hour might actually be to your benefit? One hack to saving money on the place you stay is negotiating for a good price on the day of your travel.
You can begin this negotiation process by reminding your host that they have no current bookings, and that you could give them immediate profit by staying there at a discounted rate when no one else is. Doing this can let you stay at a gorgeous Airbnb or another host home for a fraction of the cost.
Save Money On FOOD
There are many ways around a pricey receipt from a fancy restaurant. One of these tricks is eating in! If you visit a nearby grocery store, you can grab a quick bite or pack a lunch so that you can spend your vacation funds on memory-making experiences.
If you’re not keen on grocery shopping during your travels, you can still find restaurants that won’t cost you an arm and a leg for a decent meal. Take time to do your research beforehand, looking for competing prices and happy hours that you can work around. You can also ask locals for their favorite food joints- they’ll know places that are worthwhile to visit!
Save Money On FLIGHTS
Timing is a major factor in finding a decently priced flight. Investopedia suggests that you book your flight between 3 weeks and 4 months before your date of departure. You should also be aware of upcoming holidays that may spike your flight costs, and work around those days.
Another thing to consider when cutting the cost of your flight is being aware of extra costs. On-flight food, check-in baggage, cancellation fees- be sure to carefully compare the actual costs of varying airline companies to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible.
