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How to Have a Dream Vacation on a Shoe-String Budget
Vacations can be lots of fun, especially if you have unlimited funds, but what can you do if you want to enjoy a dream vacation but you are working with a shoestring budget? With a little ingenuity and planning, you can cut your vacation costs considerably, making it possible to have a good time even if you don’t have all the money in the world. If you are working with a limited budget but you are looking to go on a dream vacation, keep reading to learn more about the kind of travel bargains that can make this possible for you.
Use Your Points
Almost every credit card has reward points. Plan ahead and buy everything you use normally on the one card with the most benefit towards future travel. (Of course watch your debt) By using accumulated points, your dream vacation expense will be cut dramatically, and some cases be completely free. Now that’s awesome!
Have Flexibility with Your Dates
Not only are certain months of the year more costly to go on a vacation, but so are specific days of the week. Being flexible with your arrival and departure dates can save you lots of money. You can also save big if you remember to book your flight at least three weeks before you actually need to travel.
Compare Travel Options
Saving big on your travel arrangements can be as simple as price shopping. With the ease of comparing flight prices online, you can easily save a few hundred dollars on the cost of your flight, particularly if you opt to take a late night flight.
Avoid Checking Luggage
Baggage fees can add up quickly, particularly if you are traveling with a spouse and children. Instead of paying those fees, you should pack light and fit everything into your carry-on bag. Think it’s impossible? Learn How to Pack Like a Pro for Your Next Vacation.
Compare Hotel Prices
If you plan to stay at a hotel, you might want to consider picking one outside of the city’s center. Doing so should be less expensive. Alternatively, look carefully at the amenities included with each hotel room. It simply doesn’t make sense to pick a more expensive place just because it has a fitness room, swimming pool, and hot tub unless you plan to spend enough time at your hotel to enjoy all of these amenities.
Bundle Your Transportation and Hotel Reservations
If you are shopping for a flight and hotel, you might consider bundling your reservations to save money. Compare the cost of this option to the price you would pay if you reserved your hotel and flight separately.
Consider Last-Minute Bargains
Lots of travel websites advertise last-minute bargains at deep discounts. If you don’t mind choosing your location at the last minute, you should be able to save hundreds of dollars on the vacation of your dreams.
Share a Rental House with Friends
If you think your friendship will survive living together for a week, why not rent a house and share it with a group of friends? Dividing the cost can easily make the price to rent affordable. VRBO has many option make your dream vacation affordable.
Forget the Hotel and Stay with Family
If only two of you are going away on vacation, you might be able to find a relative to stay with when you go away on vacation. It’s easy enough to squeeze two additional people into a home, especially when a guest room is available or a child is away at college. This strategy is even easier to put into play if you’ve already gotten an invite to visit anytime. You can save hundreds of dollars or even thousands depending on how long you can stay.
Consider a House Swap
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to enjoy a fabulous vacation is to house swap. You vacation in someone else’s home, and they come and stay at your house. This strategy allows you to vacation in a new location without paying a dime to stay there. While it might be difficult to find a house to swap with at a popular destination, it’s an option that many vacationers are able to do with a little research.
Eat in Rather Than Dining Out
Instead of eating out for every single meal while you are away, consider eating in to save money. You can still enjoy a good meal, particularly if you rent an inexpensive condo with a kitchen. Plus, most hotel rooms are equipped with mini-refrigerators today, so you can chill drinks and keep foods cool. A trip to the local grocery store gives you plenty of options that you can prepare quickly, including bagels and cream cheese, rolls and lunch meat, and fruit.
Shop with Your Eyes Not Your Wallet
Do you really need souvenirs to remind you of all the fun you’ve had on your dream vacation? Many of the items you can buy in a souvenir shop are also available elsewhere, including drugstores and discount shops. Enjoy looking around at what is being offered, but resist the impulse to make a purchase. Take a lot of photographs to share with family and friends once you return home instead.
Reading about your dream vacation can inspire you to come up with a few ideas to save on your own. For the best results and the highest level of savings, plan for your getaway well in advance. Combine as many cost-saving strategies as you can to optimize your savings as well.
Happy Travels!