With school out and Holy week long break coming up, the usual question is, where will you be this summer? Did your last vacation stripped your wallet clean? Wondering how to enjoy a vacation while still on a budget? Here are 5 ways on how to save your money and your wallet.
1. Plan ahead of time
Planning your destination and mode of transportation ahead of time will save you a great deal.
Choose a destination that’s within driving distance. Driving is much cheaper than flying.
But if you must fly, do advance booking. Plane fares are much lower if you get it months before the planned trip. This can save you almost 50% of the time.
If you can travel off-season, the better. Airfare, hotels and admission tickets are usually discounted during off- season.
Search hotels that provide rates that suit your budget. Look for activities that you can do and estimate pricing. Advance booking can give you discounts.
2. Set aside vacation money fund
Once you have planned and agreed on a certain trip with your family or companions, it is better to set aside fixed amount of money monthly for the planned trip every payday. It would be less painful when the planned trip arrives since you have saved months before hand.
Get everyone saving. If you are bringing along the kids, and you give them allowances. Explain to them the plan, then get them to save up for the vacation, for the extra stuff they might want to buy. This will also be great in teaching them the value of money and how to be responsible.
3. Bringing food
Bringing food to your trip, will not only save you the hassle of finding a food store or fast food chain as you are travelling, but it could also save you a lot of money from buying snack along the way. Snacks and food bought in tourist spots are usually priced higher than the SRP.
4. Shop before you go
Have your grocery beforehand for things you can shop ahead of time. Buy bug spray, sunscreen, and other supplies at your local grocery store. This will be much inexpensive than the destination tourist spot. If you need to buy, go to the market outside the tourist area, it is a lot cheaper there.
5. Set aside a certain budget for SPLURGE
Since it is a vacation mode, it would also be good to loosen the reigns a bit in tight budgeting. It is better to set aside money for splurge. Extra money for “spur-of-the-moment-things” can make your family vacation more enjoyable and much more exciting. You must be ready for some out-of-the-plan things that can happen along the way. But remember, don’t overdo it or you’ll miss the whole budgeting thing.
Finally, if you have not done the planning for this coming vacation earlier, make sure you do that on your next planned trip. To make your next trip more economical and lighter on the pocket! Also, make sure your car is in tip top shape, a flat tire and a conked engine are the last thing you want to happen on your trip, it will be expensive too. Enjoy your trip! For more money smart tips, subscribe here for FREE!!!
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