5 tips on stretching your vacation funds for maximum enjoyment
Traveling can get quite pricey depending on the location you are traveling to and from. Especially those trips that take you overseas or across the world. No matter what your travel preference, it is important to be well equipped monetarily speaking. If you are anything like me, vacationing on a budget is imperative. Planning appropriately for your vacation involves more than simply packing. Planning on how to use your money is equally important and can prove to be a life saver. And since there are so many ways to vacation cheaply that not everyone is aware of, hopefully these tips on stretching your vacation funds will help you completely enjoy your time away without the stress of finances. You can also hit www.ventureroad.org for a bunch of travel opportunities.
Tip #1: Forget about taxis
Once you reach your destination, getting around the area often requires some sort of hired transportation—after all, we cannot all afford to rent a car for a week or so. When people travel to other states or countries they frequently utilize the services of taxi cars. However, getting from destination to destination in a cab can make a massive dent in your budget.
Luckily, there are alternative to the traditional taxi. When you get to your destination, try utilizing the local public transportation instead. Most of the time you can get cheap bus passes that will allow you a certain number of rides. It’s basically 30% of what you would pay a taxi for only one ride—plus you do not have to worry about tips!
Tip #2: Consider acquiring/using a no-fee credit card
I know what you are thinking—racking up a bunch of credit is never a good idea. Unless of course, you plan and prepare your bank account to pay off the balance when you return from your vacation. Sure, cash seems easy – but there are such things as currency conversion charges. Bringing along a no-fee credit card will allow you to not only avoid these types of fees, but it will also allow you to save money abroad. The real bonus comes when you realize you no longer must tote around loads of cash in unfamiliar territories.
Tip #3: Take advantage of free attraction days and events
No matter where you are traveling to, there are always museums, aquariums, and other enticing attractions that will not only entertain you but immerse you in a different world. If the attractions are not free, there are often discounted options that allot you 30 to 40% off the regular attraction price. Many major cities around the world have free museums for tourists to visit while saving money for more fun.
Places like the Louvre in Paris, Central Park in New York, The Smithsonian Museum, and the Liberty Bell are all surprisingly free to visit! If you enjoy nature and the great outdoors, there are several free yet breathtaking parks to visit around the world from New York to Rome.
Tip #4 Make sure to keep track of your spending
Surprisingly, keeping a tally of how much you have spent throughout your journey is highly effective when it comes to staying on – or even below – budget. Bring a simple notepad and pen or use one of your phones smart options to mark down every dollar that is spent, and what it was spent on. Keeping records of your money spent will allow you to decrease spending in the needed areas. For instance, if you notice you are spending too much on souvenirs, you can limit your spending in that area.
This is both a money-saving and learning technique that will educate you on how much money gets wasted on worthless things and activities for future reference. While both benefits are completely psychological, they have quite an impressive effect when you follow this tip correctly. And it something you can take with you beyond this vacation.
Tip #5 Set a STERN budget for souvenirs and stick to it!
Souvenirs are perhaps one of the biggest money pits when it comes to travel and adventure. In fact, there are plenty of people out there who bring multiple empty bags to fill with souvenirs from their vacation. While souvenirs might seem materialistic—they are almost always bought as a reminder of this new, exciting experience.
People love memories, and what better way to remember something significant than bringing a little piece of it home with you? However, when you set a budget and stick to it, you will almost certainly only leave the area with those things that are most significant to you, or perhaps you only bring home a couple more expensive items; either way, budgeting is one of the best things you can do before heading out for vacation.
Hopefully these tips and tricks will help you save a little money the next time you decide to take a trip to a new place! These tried and true money-saving methods will certainly come in handy the next time you want to take a quality vacation without spending a fortune. Remember, Venture Road Inc can also help you plan for an awesome adventure for an affordable price!