Category Archives: Travel

Labor Day Vacation Tips While On A Budget

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You don’t have to break the bank to take a great family vacation this Labor Day or fall season. The key to staying on a budget means being flexible and finding ways to have fun that don’t cost an arm and a leg. When traveling with your family, it is important to take everyone’s idea of fun into mind before choosing the itinerary. With a little strategic planning in advance, you and your family can plan a getaway this fall season that is cost-effective and budget-friendly.

Look For Non-Popular Destinations To Visit

If you are wanting to plan a budget-friendly family getaway this fall, you can save money by visiting destinations that are less frequented. For example, if you are planning to travel to Europe, look for cities surrounding Paris instead of Paris itself. The idea is to start with a place you would love to visit and find local, more affordable surrounding areas to visit instead.

Instead of staying in the heart of the city, the outskirts are typically more affordable when it comes to accommodations and entertainment. It is more cost-effective to travel to the city during the day for activities than paying for accommodations nearby. Finding more affordable accommodations during your trip will allow you to spend less money overall.

Use Loyalty Programs And Rewards

Another tip for traveling during the fall season on a budget is finding ways to get discounts. If you are an infrequent leisure traveler, you should enroll in a rewards program that will help you get deals and discounts during your trip. Consider finding a credit card to use during your getaway that offers rewards or benefits for certain activities you pay for on your credit card.

You may also consider investing in a loyalty program with a rental company or a hotel chain. Points can quickly add up over time and you may end up receiving a discount for future stays, or even a free visit.

Rely On Apps And Resourceful Websites

Take advantage of comparison websites that allow you to find the best deals on flights, restaurant and hotel accommodations. Sometime you can find a packaged deal that includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and/or a rental cars. You can also go to the city’s website that you want to visit. They might have local deals for accommodations and activities.

With technology, it seems like there is an app for everything. Apps like ParkWhiz or Spot Hero can help you find cheaper parking in certain tourist areas. And, apps like Groupon or Living Social have deals for getaway options as well as local activities. Do a quick free app search and be surprised at what deals you find.

Have An Outdoor Adventure

Planning a trip during the fall opens up more opportunities to plan outdoor adventures. There are many great things you can do with your family outdoors that are great for your budget. Consider traveling to a national park of your choice. The national park system gives families an affordable and wonderful way to visit beautiful landscapes, learn about cultural and geological history, admire wildlife living in their natural habitats and learn to appreciate the wonder of the great outdoors. To make things even better, plan your trip for a day when the national park you choose offers a free day for visitors.

Plan Factory Tours

There are many factories across the country that allows visitors to tour their facilities for a small fee. There are even some that will let you visit for free. If you have children, a behind-the-scenes look at some of these facilities can show them how things they see or eat are made. The best thing about these tours is they often come with free samples and free swag. If you are planning a road trip, consider lining up some factory tours that are consistent with the route you’re taking.

Additionally, many bigger cities have free self-guided tours you can download through an app onto your smartphone. You may also choose to hire a company for a guided tour that will show you some top spots throughout the city you are visiting. Self-guided tours are an interesting way to explore special areas in cities to find hidden gems you may have missed otherwise.

Book Accommodations Early and Look For Low-Cost Carriers

When it comes to flights and hotel accommodations, the best way to get a good deal is by booking as early as possible. When you have children, low-cost carriers such as Southwest are a great option to consider because their average ticket prices are typically lower than other airlines. When looking for tickets and hotel rooms, it is also best to compare the rates to find the most affordable one on the date you plan to visit.

Consider Road-Tripping To Your Destination

Purchasing airline tickets will definitely get you to your destination quicker. However, it can also cost more than other options in certain scenarios. If your heart is not set on flying to your destination, planning out a road trip can be a more cost-effective and less stressful alternative. When your desired destination is a driving distance away, it is often more affordable to travel by car, especially when you have multiple family members.

Aside from the cost benefits, a road trip can offer more advantages including pit stops at attractions and visiting some hidden gems along the route. With kids, the ability to stop regularly allows them to get up and move around to release any pent-up energy they might have. Many parents agree that traveling with kids is easier on a road trip than flying.

Stock Up On Supplies

To reduce some of your out-of-pocket expenses while on your fall trip, bring a stash of snacks, toys and books to keep everyone entertained while traveling. Eating out while traveling can get very expensive, even when you stop for snacks. Bringing your own food can save you from having to buy expensive meals when you don’t have to. When you pack meals or snacks for a road trip or flight, you will save money and be guaranteed food to eat when you are hungry. In some cases, you may have to wait for a flight attendant to bring you food or it may not be available at all.

Different Ways to Fund Your Next Travel Adventure

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Funding an adventure does not have to leave your wallet empty. Once you know what it takes to get there, you are good to go. If you love traveling, the most common obstacle you may face is raising funds. Financing a travel adventure every month can be strenuous to your bank account. However, there are some useful tips you can consider to ensure that you travel at least once or twice each year. Here are some of the ideal ways of funding your next travel adventure.

1. Plan Ahead

Saving money for a trip is not as easy as it sounds because you have to sacrifice a lot of things. Therefore, to avoid straining yourself, it is vital to plan. If you are saving, ensure that you save small amounts of money, but for a more extended period. Stay away from fancy restaurants for a while until you manage to hit your savings target.

Remember that you want to dine in the best restaurants during your travel adventure. Therefore, ensure that you eat at home most of the times while saving for the adventure.

2. Take Up a Side Job

In this economy, you need to work extra hard to earn more dollars. Therefore, if you are planning to take an adventure, you need to get another source of income to help you raise the amount of money you need for your trip. You can decide to put all the money you get from your side hustle in a vacation savings account so that you do not get tempted to use it.

3. Reduce your Housing Costs

If you rent, consider moving into a smaller house that is more energy efficient. Spending less on utility bills can help you save a few extra dollars. Additionally, if you are a homeowner and have plans of taking a trip, consider lowering your utility costs. Invest in smart home devices like smart thermostats so that you gain control of your energy usage. The moment you manage to get lower utility bills, get the difference and put it into a savings account that will fund your trip.

4. Ask your Friends for Connections

If you are planning to visit a different state or country, ensure that you get someone who lives there. The good thing is that many people are usually willing to offer advice and recommendations. If you are lucky enough, you might find a friend who is willing to host you for free. Once you get someone to host you, you only need to save money for food and other leisure activities. As a result, you have extra cash to visit more places and gain new experiences. You will end up meeting new people that will give you more information about the place you are touring.

5. Have a Financial Advisor

The purpose of getting an excellent financial advisor is to make sure that you achieve your goals. Once you inform your financial advisor about your goal, he or she will be able to advise you on how to succeed based on the money that you have. Your advisor will help you get deals that are within your budget. The mistake people make when planning to travel is that they take up an expensive trip that they cannot afford. The financial advisor will get you the best deals and give you a proper savings plan that will not oppress your finances.

6. Find Cheap Airplane Tickets

Since you want to have the best experiences while on your travel adventure, it is advisable to buy the cheapest airplane tickets. If you happen to get cheap tickets, do not waste that chance because it might not be available the next day. In case you are taking the adventure with your family, you will notice that saving on airplane tickets helps in making the experience better since you will have more money to spend.

7. Tour Countries where your Currency is Stronger

America, Australia, and Europe are well-known to be expensive. You will notice that visiting cheaper countries offers you a variety of options to explore while spending less. Before you begin your journey, select the best countries which have the things you would prefer to see during your adventure.

Conclusion

So many people love traveling, but they do not do so because they think it is an expensive affair. Following the steps in this piece guarantees you that you will manage to raise enough money to take a travel adventure with your family and friends.