Traveling On A Shoestring: Top Tips To See The World On A Budget

Most of us probably have a desire to travel, that familiar wanderlust setting in when it feels like we need a break from the everyday. Vacations tend to be viewed as un-affordable. However, as we proved with a recent frugal family trip to Maine, there are ways to travel without financial setbacks. If you’re trying to find a way to travel, here are some ideas to help you save up and cut costs, so you can escape for a while.

Saving Tips & Dealing With Debt

The smartest way to travel involves saving beforehand.  You don’t want to put all of your expenses on a credit card that you can’t pay back right away.  Putting money aside can be tough, especially if you struggle to make ends meet some months.  If you have debt, this should always be your first priority.  You may be desperate to board a plane and escape from your desk for a while (I definitely understand), but it’s always best to be realistic about your financial situation.  Debt is holding you back from having true freedom.  

After you’ve made some progress on paying down debt, you can also start to save money for your travels.  Set small goals for how much you want to save each month, maybe even set up a direct debit from paycheck to a savings account. This will ensure that you’re adding to your balance on a regular basis and eliminates the temptation of spending money you could have saved.

If you don’t already have a savings account, shop around for the best rate. The higher the interest rate, the more you’ll get from your account.  If you’re looking to use your savings in the near future, choose a flexible account. There are some that you can’t access for a set period of time, and these may not be suitable.  Use an online comparison site to compare accounts offered by different banks.

Freeing Up More Disposable Income

There are often savings you can make at home to free up more disposable income for luxuries like traveling.  If you adopt a frugal attitude, this can really boost your savings balance.  I’m always advocating for more-conscious spending.  Instead of buying the newest gadget because everyone else is, save up towards going on the vacation of your dreams.  There is plenty of research finding that experiences provide more long-term happiness than material expenses.

Grocery shopping is one of the biggest expenses in most households.  We all need food to survive, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to eat well.  If you’re a savvy shopper, you can get everything you need without breaking the bank.  Online shopping is a great idea for those who tend to overspend at the store. You know exactly what you’re adding to your basket, and how much it costs.  Using coupons and discount vouchers can also save a lot of money.  If you visit a store near the end of the day, you’ll usually find the best offers.  It’s also a good idea to make use of your freezer. Cook large batches and then freeze what you don’t use for another day.  Many people find that menu planning helps save time and decreases shopping bills.

Fuel bills have the ability to make or break your budget.  It pays to be aware of how much energy you’re using.  Also, swap out bulbs and appliances for energy-efficient versions.  Make sure that you unplug everything you’re not using (power strips are helpful for this).  If you’ve been with the same energy provider for years, it may be time to change.  Go online and compare rates offered by different companies.  You’ll often receive preferential rates and perks as a new customer.  You can also use the same strategy to save money on different types insurance, internet service, and many other expenses.

Cell phone bills are getting pretty ridiculous.  Do some research into lesser-known providers.  We switched over to Republic Wireless.  Although we had to purchase new phones (well, new to us from eBay), our current monthly bill is only $89.74 for four lines, two of which have unlimited data.

Set A Budget For Your Vacation

Before you start dreaming about desert islands and city breaks, it’s essential to work out a budget. How much do you have available in total, and how are you going to spend that money?  Once you have a figure for the overall trip in mind, you can start researching. You’ll need to factor in transportation, accommodation, and entertainment costs. Crunch all of the numbers before you book anything.

The Best Ways To Save On Flights

If you’re going on vacation, flights may be your most expensive purchase.  The best thing to do if you’re booking flights is go online and compare prices on different dates from hundreds of airlines.  If you’re flexible when it comes to departure airports and dates, you’re likely to save a lot of money.  It’s also a good idea to travel off-season if you can.  Sign up for email notifications of flash sales and sign up for mailing lists for discount websites.

You may also be able to save on flights by using air miles or points collected by using a credit card that gives you rewards.  When you fly, or you use your card, you get points, which can be used against your next flight.  It’s also worth looking into rewards for car rentals and hotel bookings.  Just make sure to pay attention to annual fees, especially if they’re not charged during some type of introductory period.   

As credit card companies continue to compete with each other, the deals and ease of your redeeming points becomes better and better.  Chase Sapphire Rewards has several different cards that you can use to pay for travel expenses.  The points accrue quickly, with double or triple points on travel and dining, and bonus points if you spend a certain amount within the first few months after opening the card.  Then, you can go on your next adventure for cheap.

Insider Tips and Deals

The cost of accommodations can add up quickly when you’re enjoying a long break. Thankfully, there are some affordable options out there.  If you’re backpacking, hostels and guesthouses are a very popular option. You can get shared accommodations for a few dollars per night in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, for example.  While prices tend to be higher in Australia, Europe, and Canada, shared accommodations are often still the cheapest option.  AirBnB is also a good alternative to the standard hotel room.

Hotel rates vary hugely according to where you’re going and the type of accommodations.  If you are booking hotels, always check online well in advance.  Rates are usually lower than if you were to just walk up to the front desk.  If you’re traveling with others, it may be cheaper to consider other options.  Hiring an apartment is often cheaper than reserving numerous hotel rooms.

Another alternative for those who are eager to explore is renting an RV or even buying one for extended trips (that’s what we plan to do).  Comparing rental fees online is a must, as well as using an app to locate gas stations with the lowest prices.

Frugal Living While Traveling

Most people assume that traveling is expensive, but a little bit of planning and effort can go a long way in helping save money.  Food is one area where you can really cut costs.  We hardly ate out at all on our trip up to Maine.  Instead, we enjoyed lots of sandwiches and packed snacks like peanuts, raisins, and granola bars.  If you’re staying anywhere with a basic kitchen, or even a fridge, you can make many of your own meals.  In comparison to ordering fast food or going out to eat in restaurants, which can get very expensive. In addition to keep food expenses low, explore destinations by renting a car rather than booking a series of tours and excursions, or visiting the more-popular, expensive attractions.  

Our ultimate goal is to have the freedom to go on vacations pretty much whenever we want, but that doesn’t mean we have to completely give up travel in the meantime.  We will keep paying off debts, but  frugal family vacations are possible.  The internet is a great resource for finding deals on rentals, flights, and accommodations.  As with everything else, the key is thinking outside of the box and not just falling in line, like into the lines for regularly-priced admission tickets for the big theme parks.   

Please share: What are your best tips for saving money on travel expenses?