Vacationing on a Budget
With summer in full swing, it’s a busy time for most families making travel plans. It doesn’t take long to realize how quickly travel costs add up! The good news is getting away over the summer doesn’t have to be overly pricey. If you’re willing to be flexible, thrifty, and patient in finding the best deals, there are tons of ways you can cut costs. Consider some of our suggestions for a budget-friendly vacation and you’ll be off in no time.
Look at Private Vacation Rentals
Rental companies such as Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO, to name a few, allow people to rent their homes, condos, cottages, or vacation properties to the public giving you access to more affordable options than the traditional hotel or resort. Plus, there’s the added bonus that most will come with a full kitchen with fridge, stove, and microwave so you can cook your own meals instead of dining out every day. It’s nice to treat yourself while you’re on vacation but food can really eat into your travel budget, especially if you’re feeding an entire family for a full week or more.
Sign up for Travel Deals
Signing up for deals from companies such as Wagjag, Groupon or Travelzoo is a great way to stay informed on what deals are available to you. You might even come across destinations or attractions you hadn’t considered that are closer to home. Not only do these companies offer deals on flights and hotels, but you can also score discounts for restaurants, spas, and tickets for different excursions.
Book Hotels with Extras
If you’re going to be staying in a hotel, try to find one that includes extra features like breakfast and parking. You may even come across one that offers free meals to kids under a certain age which will definitely help keep your food cost down.
Travel on Weekdays
It’s not as big of a secret anymore, but travelling during the week, such as on a Tuesday or Wednesday, is usually cheaper than on a Friday or over a weekend. The added bonus here is you’ll also avoid battling some of the traffic and crowds that come with travelling on peak days.
Lookout for Price Drops
Check for price drop guarantees when booking and keep an eye on decreasing prices leading up to your trip so you can take advantage of any savings that are available. Some companies will let you sign up for price drop notifications while others will require you to make a request for a price difference. Taking the time to check back frequently to make sure your trip hasn’t decreased in price is worth the hassle!
Use Rewards and Membership Discounts
Many people tend forget they have access to points and travel benefits through their credit cards and loyalty programs. Programs such as Air Miles and Aeroplan offer different travel rewards and there are some gas station and grocery store cards that allow you to redeem points for gift cards which can be used for gas and food. Members of CAA have access to all sorts of savings from hotels and restaurants to attractions and travel. Consider cleaning out your wallet to find out what points you can start taking advantage of.
Drive your own Car
If your destination is within driving distance, consider foregoing the expensive flights and make it a road trip adventure! To get the most out of this, you should also make sure your vehicle is tuned up before you leave. If you choose to fly but have to rent a car for a portion of your trip, make sure to contact your insurance company to see if car rental insurance is already included in your coverage before purchasing insurance from the rental agency. Some credit card providers will also offer free car rental insurance as a card benefit so give them a call before you book.
Pack your Meals
Bring your meals and snacks from home to save on food, especially if you’ve opted for a road trip. Grab nonperishable items that don’t necessarily need to stay cool (or bring a cooler) and your refillable water bottle so you can avoid overspending when you don’t need to. Bringing extra snacks to keep with you once you’ve reached your destination is also a great idea so you don’t have to stop while you’re out sightseeing.
Camp!
If you’re heading to the great outdoors consider camping over staying in an RV or cabin. It’s considerably cheaper plus you will get an authentic experience! Camping is also a great way to save on hotel costs if you’re going on a longer road trip since there are highway camping spots all across Canada. Just be sure to check ahead as some only book on a first come, first serve basis.
Staycation
If at the very least, you can’t afford to take a traditional vacation, make the most of a staycation and find fun things to do in your area! If you need help with ideas for the perfect staycation, check out this list of 30 Staycation Ideas: https://www.mymoneycoach.ca/blog/30-staycation-ideas.html
Bon Voyage!
