Traveling on a Budget

The Perks Of Taking A Vacation
Vacations are a fantastic chance for you to relax and unwind. While on vacation you will have the opportunity to hike trails you normally would not, drive scenic routes that are not local to you, eat at restaurants that you have never tried before and even view some sites that you have been wanting to see. Vacations give everyone a chance to experience new things while relaxing and getting away from the daily grind. It is good to get away from the monotony of day to day life and embark on adventures. Adventures don’t have to be elaborate and involve cruise ships or beaches. A simple road trip to a different state park or amusement park can be just what you need to get away. Other simplistic vacations include camping, a local wine trail, a art trail in rural areas, fishing or a weekend spa get-away. We all decompress differently and enjoy different activities. Of course a jet set vacation to a tropical island is always welcomed and exciting but don’t let a small budget or minimal vacation time stop you from experiencing new things or revisiting some of your favorite things.

Planning A Vacation On A Budget
The most important thing to consider when it comes to planning a vacation is finances. There is no need to go broke in an attempt to relax and unwind. Take some time to go over your monthly bills. If you are planning for a vacation a few months off you could even consider reaching out to Eversource CT to discuss lowering utility rates in order to save a bit more money towards your vacation. Aside from lowering your monthly expenses at home these money saving tips will help you keep your vacation on budget:

  • Check sites such as Groupon for lodging discounts.
  • If a lodging discount coupon or coupon code has expired, call the hotel and ask if they’ll honor it or if they are offering new discounts.
  • Plan your destination in advance and research local dining and attractions.
  • Look for coupons or online deals for local dining and attractions to have on hand when you arrive at your destination.
  • Side hustle with survey sites or coupon sites to cash out gift cards for gas, shopping or dining.

These tips will help you better prepare for your vacation and maintain your budget. It is never a good idea just to book a flight on a whim or hop in your car and see where you end up if you are on a budget. When you are planning your vacation it is ideal to look up local restaurants and attractions. Tourist destinations often have savings books at the hotel front desk. When you call to book your stay you could ask them if there is a web address on those books. This will give you a jump start on researching local deals to your destination. Additionally, if your trip is months away, there are plenty of online side tasks that can be done in exchange for gift cards. Many sites offer surveys or collect grocery receipts in exchange for a cash value on gift cards that can be redeemed. In your spare time you can do these tasks and easily collect some extra money on gift cards to utilize while on vacation. If you plan on eating at any fast food locations and the gift card reward sites offer those gift cards you can cash out your points for those specific gift cards to utilize on your budget friendly vacation. Always shop around for the best deal on lodging and inquire about dates that have yet to book up. It is often cheaper to book a room mid week and this can result in some savings as well if you have flexible vacation dates in mind.

Staying budget conscious months before a vacation and establishing an easy way to make a little money on the side will help alleviate some of the stress associated with a tight budget trip. Being thrifty and cutting back on expenses at home will add a bit more financial freedom to your vacation fund which may allow for a few more fantastic experiences.