By Charlestien Harris
July is almost gone, and those last-minute trips can get quite expensive.
Summer travel is almost considered a staple these days, providing consumers with a break from the day-to-day work week. Your last vacation opportunity of the year may be just around the corner, and while travel can be expensive, there are plenty of ways to cut costs.
Here are some money-saving travel tips to help your hard-earned dollars go even further.
Plan to travel during the off-season. Sometimes, it is better to wait until summer is over. Off-season travel may be the key to finding the cheapest places to visit. You can find great deals and lower prices in general when traveling to popular destinations during the off-season. An added plus is you can avoid crowds and still contribute to the ongoing support of local economies.
Learn how to pack light. Packing light can be very beneficial because it can help you avoid checked bag fees. Additionally, packing light means you can get around a lot easier. With a light suitcase or backpack, you’re more agile, enabling you to navigate public transit rather than feel like you need to pay for a taxi (which is another money-saving tip).
Embrace using the local public transportation system. This tip is one I have used myself when traveling. I was in Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C., and wanted to do some shopping. I took a local public bus to the train station, then got on the subway to my shopping destination. It was simple and inexpensive, and I was able to show my traveling companions how to move around the city without taking a taxi! I often use the trolley system when I visit downtown Memphis, Tenn. It is really cheap!
Explore tourist attractions that don’t cost you any money. Prioritize the free tourist attractions over the ones that have a fee. I recently took a trip to Orlando, Fla., for a major convention. While traveling between my hotel and the venue, we noticed a sky-transport overhead. We did a little investigating and found out that the transportation system visits all the major attraction parks at Disney World. We were able to park for free, find the hub, visit every park with an overhead view, and enjoy a free ride all at the same time. I can honestly say I got to see Disney World for free!
Save on airline flights by being flexible. If you don’t need to leave or come back on specific days, this gives you the freedom to search for flights using the “Low Fare Calendar” search features that many airlines offer, which show you the cheapest days to fly. If you don’t mind being assigned a random seat, don’t pay to choose your own! Another big money-saver: only fly with a carry-on bag. This can ensure that your luggage will never end up in a different city than you (never say never – mine did one time!), but it also means you can skip paying checked baggage fees for every flight you take. If you have multiple flights on your trip, those savings add up.
Instead of eating out, cook your own meals. We all know that eating out at home can get quite expensive, so it stands to reason that cooking your own meals while traveling will save you money as well. Shop at local grocery stores or markets, then prepare your meals in the kitchen at the hostel, hotel, or condominium where you are staying. This will take a little extra time and planning, but by eating out as little as possible, you’ll save yourself a lot of money. Find out how the locals eat. Preparing those dishes can be cost-effective because the ingredients are easier to find and most times readily accessible, rather than trying to prepare a dish you prefer. Finding those ingredients can be quite costly.
Save on rental cars by booking before you arrive. If you are traveling and need a car, it’s possible to save on rental cars by avoiding rental agencies at the airport. Those rental companies are almost always more expensive due to added airport taxes and fees. Booking in advance is also key to saving money on rental cars. It’s also good to check with your insurance company to see if you are automatically covered, and check to see if your credit card includes insurance on rental cars, which may make purchasing additional insurance a waste of time and money.
Create a realistic travel budget. Now that you understand how much things cost, the next step is saving up travel money so you can avoid any financial stress when deciding how to afford to travel. To come up with your vacation fund goal, multiply your estimated daily costs in the places you’ll visit by how long you hope to stay there. While you’re traveling, it’s much easier to track against a daily budget, and you can keep a close watch on your spending habits.
I love to travel and save money at the same time, and I have actually used the tips I mentioned above. Having a love for travel does not have to break the bank or ruin your budget. Careful planning and being smart about how to save money for travel will help turn your dream adventure into a reality.
For more information on this and other financial topics, you can email me at Charlestien.Harris@banksouthern.com, call me at 662-624-5776, or visit our website at www.banksouthern.com/blog
Until next week – stay financially fit!
Charlestien Harris is our financial contributor, a financial expert with Southern Bancorp Community Partners whose articles are seen in a number of publications around the region.
