How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Trip
One of the most common questions I’ve received, falls along the lines of, “How do you afford it?” or “What do you do for work?”. Simply put, I live a minimal lifestyle, cook at home all the time, don’t have many possessions, and have little bills. I feel incredibly lucky with my employment & living situation, which enables me to live this lifestyle.
Budget planning is different for everyone.
The difference in being frugal for me, isn’t the same as it would be for you. So, before we get into our top 5 tips, also consider the following as a prerequisite of sorts.
Establish your budget.
This is where we dive into the nitty gritty, figure out how much we are wanting to spend, and where we plan to spend most of our money. Stick with your budget, you set it for a reason.
Prioritize.
Figure out what areas you are willing to budget on. Destination? Time of Year? Transportation Fees? Lodging Accommodations? Activities?
Be Flexible.
Traveling on a budget requires a degree of flexibility. We’ve all heard of the phrase, ‘You can’t have your cake, and eat it too.’ This applies here.
Use Your Resources.
This includes people, places, and things. This can be a good way to incorporate visiting friends or family members, and your budget trip.
drum roll please…
#1- Do your R E S E A R CH.
This includes making lists for places you’d enjoy going, and pricing everything out. Generalizing flights, hotel costs, transportation needs, etc. Comparing is your key for budgeting. I recommend making a list, putting all the places you’d want to visit on that list. Also, develop your style. Are you the type of people who need a 4-star hotel? Are you okay with the basics? Want to camp? This is the time to figure out your style of accommodation for your trip. This is arguably the top thing to do while budgeting for a trip.
PRO TIP- Going with a partner, family member or friend? Each of you writes the top 10 places you’d want to go. Any of them align? Start there first.
#2- Go on the O F F -S E A S O N
Things to considering when booking a trip on the cheap, is go in their OFF-SEASON. Yes, most places indeed have off-seasons. They are considered “off” for a reason though.
For instance, Greece on your list? If you book in their low season of September or October, flights are generally 15-20% lower. Hotels can be a steal, throwing in lots of added benefits. Ferry transportation gets cut virtually in half, and the sightseeing is unmatched with the lack of tourism! That time of year is their winter, so a lot of businesses have limited hours, and you could have less-than-perfect weather. Using the prerequisite advice, be flexible, or set clear priorities of what each day will look like for you.
#3- Book E A R L Y
This tip is important. Book early. Book your flights, transportation, accommodations, excursions, in advance. This will help avoid late fees, expensive flights, last minute hotel accommodations and secure your activities at a lower rate. Booking early gives your family and friends time to research the area ahead of time, find local things nearby, and is key in planning a good vacation. Don’t be afraid to book early, but ensure you know the cancellation policy for everything BEFORE YOU BOOK.
#4- Call D I R E C T
When booking hotel accommodations, don’t hesitate to call them directly. If you see a property on Airbnb you like, just do a simple google search for the property name. Most times, the property has a direct line of communication. This can save you $$$ on excess cleaning fees, and host fees from the third-party website. See something on booking.com? Just call the property directly. Most of those 3rd party systems upcharges 15-20% per night. If you are feeling blunt, ask them if they offer weekly deals, weeknight deals, or even off-season rates. This can save you a ton of extra cash.
PRO TIP: Feeling adventurous? Try HipCamp, a lesser-known platform that allows you to camp, stay in RV’s or even glamp on people’s private land. This can be a cool way to meet locals!
#5- Pack your L U N C H
In my opinion, the last thing I want to spend money on each day is three meals. Although, on vacation, people typically don’t want to fend for themselves.
We suggest taking care of 2/3 of your meals, breakfast, and lunch. This allows you to dine out for dinner every night (if that’s your thing) and save money on the other two meals. We suggest things like, oatmeal, granola bars, or even yogurt for breakfast, which only requires a mini-fridge and access to hot water. Lunch? Stop and grab some local fruit at their famers market, bread, and cheese. This helps to maximize your fun-time, and not worry so much about stopping to grab a bite to eat. Depending on the weather, you can really take this to the next level, and pack things with you, avoiding that trip back to the hotel.
PRO TIP: Going to dine-out? Peep the menu online before arriving, and consider drinking before you arrive, to avoid corkage fees.
