People tend to put off trips for a time when they feel like they finally have the extra money to spare. While travel is full of expenses and does require some forethought as far as your money goes, it’s definitely something to make a priority. You only live once and there is so much of this world to see.
It’s not always easy to know what to spend money on and what not to, what areas you should splurge on and where you should cut back, but we’ve put together some tips to help you decide what your priorities are and how you can save money instead of overspending. Take a look:
How important is your lodging to you?
For some people, lodging is everything in a trip and they will go above and beyond to stay at the best hotel in the area. If you’re someone who wants to stay in a nice hotel but one that doesn’t have to have all of the luxury amenities of a five-star resort, you could save by finding great deals from options like BookingBuddy hotel deals. You don’t have to stay at a bed-bug infested motel just to save money, as your safety and health are important but there are great options available for affordable prices, when you shop around a bit.
Where are you going to eat?
Many people choose to go to tourist restaurants when visiting a popular destination, simply because they don’t know any better. For example, what if you decide to visit Playa del Carmen, a well-known beach town in Mexico with a main avenue known as La Quinta Avenida. There, you’ll find a plethora of restaurants, but most of them are overpriced and many of them not that great. While there are some great locally-owned options with well-known chefs, the majority of them are all about getting the tourists in to pay a fortune on some mediocre dishes at best. Instead, look for the local joints, which could equal “hole in the wall” spots that while they may not look as fancy, offer you a glimpse of the local delicacies and a much lower check to pay at the end of the meal.
Where are you going?
If you’re traveling to a destination where you hope to do some hiking or outdoor activities, it’s best to invest in quality gear for the occasion. This is when you should splurge. Hiking in the rainy season in New Zealand with a $20 pair of “hiking” boots may not cut it. You’re going to want waterproof ones. The same goes for your bike-pack during a bike-packing expedition from Telluride to Moab—you only want to use the best, so you have mishaps with your bags along the way.
What do you want to do?
If you’re visiting a destination for the destination, it can be easy to be carried away with all the tour offers and before you know it, everyone is selling you tours that are overpriced and may not actually be all that interesting. If you’re traveling for a specific sport or activity, from skiing to mountain biking, you can find cheap options, whether from traveling in the off-season or booking in advance. For mountain biking, you can even find free trails that are just as fun as any bike park, but that won’t cost you a dime. What you want to spend your free time doing can impact your budget. While you definitely want to splurge and enjoy your activities on your trip, look them up in advance to read reviews and find deals, so you get your money’s worth.
In Conclusion
Traveling is many people’s favorite “hobby.” The thrill of getting to a new place, the way you can let your hair down and relax in a destination where you don’t know anyone, and the excitement of enjoying the natural beauty of the new location. To get the most out of a budget trip, take time to see where you can splurge and where it’s best you save, so you can sit back and relax once you’re there.
