After the tumultuous year that the entire world has been put through, we all deserve a break. Of course saving cash while still being able to get away on a fun, relaxing vacation is tricky, and plenty of people will have less disposable income available to them due to the disruption of the pandemic.
So if you are hoping to arrange a vacation on a budget, here are a few tips on cutting out unnecessary expenses and keeping the costs as low as possible.
Choose camping over hotel accommodation
Camping is one of the most affordable ways to take a trip away from home, and while there are upfront costs to bear if you do not have the gear, you can still put together a modest camping setup for less than the price of a night in a mid-range chain hotel.
You also have a whole heap of choice in terms of where you can go, from sunny beach getaways to amazing mountainous regions. Camping is not for everyone, obviously, but if you can cope with missing out on a few creature comforts, then the rewards make it eminently worthwhile.
Check airport parking options before you go, e.g. at Houston
If you do decide to take a flight to a different part of the country or the world, then you can still do so frugally as long as you plan in advance and strike while the iron is hot.
For example, long term parking costs can be steep if you book a space at the last minute. But if you book Houston airport parking for George Bush airport weeks or even months ahead of your departure date, you will be able to bag a significant discount, and also prevent a lot of stress on the day itself.
Visit relatives in different places
If you are lucky enough to have family members or even friends who live in regions of the globe that might make a good holiday destination, then asking them if you can stay for a few days will lead to big savings on accommodation.
This clearly depends on how your relationship with your extended family is, and you need to remember to do your bit and not take advantage if a relative agrees to put you up for a short break. Chipping in for a meal out or offering to cover the costs of groceries is a nice touch.
You could even opt for a house swap, without needing to go through the angst of allowing strangers to take over your home. In this post-pandemic period, your family members might be far more interested in this kind of arrangement.
See the sights on your doorstep
If you have always wanted to visit some local attraction or see some famous nearby landmark, but have never had the opportunity to do so in the past, then now you have the perfect excuse to stay in your own region and tick some things off your bucket list without feeling like you are missing out on other vacation opportunities further afield.
The reality is that the idea of ‘getting away’ has become less appealing, what with the potential for travel disruption, additional costs and regulatory complications if you do go overseas, or even just to different states. So by picking a staycation instead, you will be avoiding all of these headaches and uncertainties, while also helping to boost the local economy by spending money in your region, while also saving a lot of cash that might otherwise have been spent on travel and accommodation.
