Vacationing on a Budget

Vacationing on a Budget

By Nathan Woolard

              While packing a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread might help you keep some change in your pocket, there’s more to keep in mind when budgeting for your travels.  Read on for some helpful advice to minimize spending on your well-deserved vacation:

• Travel during the off-season.  Holidays and summer breaks may provide obvious and convenient opportunities to travel, but they walk hand-in-hand with higher prices and busier destinations.  Finding the time to take your trip in a less popular season, like in the fall after Labor Day, can put less strain on your bank account while also offering a better vacation experience.
• Visit a lesser-known spot.  When weighing your options for a trip to somewhere like a beach, considering going off the beaten path.  Do some research and see what comparable areas tend to draw smaller crowds, and you’ll likely find cheaper lodging, food, and activities as well.
• Take a weekend trip.  Rather than allotting time off for a lengthier vacation, perhaps budgeting for a short weekend getaway can still scratch your itch for leisure.
• Take a weekday trip.  At the opposite end of the spectrum, a weekday vacation can prove more affordable as hotel costs tend to be lower than on weekends.  If you’ve got days available to take off work, then planning your trip for the middle of the week can certainly save you some money.
• Stay with family or friends.  Getting out of your house and visiting your loved ones makes for a cheap and easy vacation.  Spending time with your family and friends is reward enough in itself, and you’ll save on the cost of food and lodging too.  Just make sure to express your gratitude to your hosts!  Think about chipping in for groceries or cooking a meal to show that you’re thankful.
• Simplify your dining and transportation.  Rather than paying for all your meals, you can supplement your day with snacks from home, partake in a free hotel breakfast, or even cook your own meals if your lodging has a kitchen.  As for transportation, you can easily cut your costs by walking or biking to nearby destinations.
• Go camping or visit a park.  A foray into nature is also a great way to vacation on a budget, as the many state and national parks scattered across the country are largely free to enjoy.  If a stay in the great outdoors appeals to you, then consider saving on a hotel by camping outside or renting a cabin instead.  McGowen Recreation and Wildlife Area and Lake Wapello State Park offer such options to those who appreciate a more rustic outing.
• Tour your own region.  Get out there and be a tourist in your own city!  Patronize local offerings like museums, galleries, and historical sites, or even just seek out a new restaurant.  Keep an eye out for discounted or free days at museums and other such exhibitions if you want to keep a thrifty approach.  If you really want to get out of town, look for places of interest within an hour or two of home to save on travel expenses.  Or, if traveling isn’t a necessity for you, figure out some fun activities to do in your own home and make it a staycation!
• Look for discounts.  A large number of stores, restaurants, hotels, and recreational activities will offer discounts for various organizations.  Be sure to ask about deals for groups such as healthcare workers, educators, AARP, AAA, government workers, and military.

Before you dive right into planning your trip, do your research and figure out all the best strategies to get more bang for your buck.  We’ve given you a handful of tips to consider, but there’s always more to find with some intuitive research.  Implementing these suggestions can go a long way toward helping you vacation without breaking the bank.