By Charlestien Harris
July is almost over and those last minute trips can get pretty expensive.
Summer travel is almost considered a staple these days, as it offers consumers a break from their daily routine. Your last vacation opportunity of the year may be right around the corner, and while travel can be expensive, there are plenty of ways to cut costs.
Here are some travel tips to save money and stretch your hard-earned dollars even further.
Plan to travel in the off-season. Sometimes it’s best to wait until the end of summer. Traveling in the off-season can be the key to finding the cheapest places to visit. You can find great deals and generally lower prices when traveling to popular destinations during the off-season. Another benefit is that you can avoid the crowds while still helping to support local economies.
Learn to travel light. Traveling light can be a huge benefit, as it can help you avoid checked baggage fees. Plus, traveling light means you can get around a lot more easily. A lightweight suitcase or backpack makes you more agile, which means you can get around on public transport rather than feeling like you have to pay for a taxi (which is another money-saving tip).
Adopt the use of the local public transport system. I used this tip myself when traveling. I was in Maryland, just outside of Washington DC, and wanted to do some shopping. I took a local public bus to the train station, then took the metro to my shopping destination. It was easy and inexpensive, and I was able to show my fellow travelers how to get around the city without taking a cab! I often use the trolley system when I visit downtown Memphis, TN. It’s really cheap!
Explore tourist attractions that don't cost you any money. Prioritize free attractions over paid ones. I recently took a trip to Orlando, Florida for a large convention. While traveling from my hotel to the convention site, we noticed an overhead transportation system. We did some research and discovered that the transportation system serves all of the major theme parks at Disney World. We were able to park for free, find the hub, visit each park with an aerial view, and get a free ride all at the same time. I can honestly say that I got to see Disney World for free!
Save on airfare by being flexible. If you don’t need to depart or return on specific dates, 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 randomly assigned a seat, don’t pay to pick yours! Another big saving is to only travel with carry-on luggage. This can ensure that your bags never end up in a different city than you (never say never, it happened to me once!), but it also means you can avoid paying checked baggage fees for every flight you take. If you have multiple flights on your trip, these savings add up.
Instead of eating out, cook your own meals. We all know that eating out at home can be quite expensive, so it makes sense that cooking your own meals while you’re traveling will also save you money. Shop at local grocery stores or markets, then prepare your meals in the kitchen of the hostel, hotel, or condo you’re staying at. It will take a little more time and planning, but eating out as little as possible will save you a lot of money. Learn how the locals eat. Preparing these meals can be cost-effective because the ingredients are easier to find and most of the time readily available, rather than trying to make a dish that you prefer. Finding these ingredients can be quite costly.
Save on car rentals by booking before you arrive. If you are traveling and need a car, it is possible to save money on car rental by avoiding airport rental agencies. These rental companies are almost always more expensive due to additional airport taxes and fees. Booking in advance is also essential to save money on car rentals. It is also a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if you are automatically covered and to check if your credit card includes insurance on rental cars, which can make purchasing additional insurance a waste of time and money.
Create a realistic travel budget. Now that you know how much things cost, the next step is to save money for travel so you don’t have to worry about finances when deciding how to travel. To determine your vacation fund goal, multiply your estimated daily expenses in the places you’ll be visiting by the length of your stay. While you’re traveling, it’s much easier to keep track of your daily budget and keep a close eye on your spending habits.
I love traveling and saving money at the same time, and I have actually used the tips I mentioned above. Having a love of travel doesn’t have to break the bank or ruin your budget. Careful planning and a smart way to save money for traveling will help you 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 appear in a number of area publications.
