- Guest Contributor
- March 31, 2022
Travel is set to ramp up through 2022, leaving your Instagram feed absolutely full of amazing vacation photos. Vacation FOMO (fear of missing out) can set in big time as a result and make your travel dreams feel inadequate in an instant. Fortunately, you can rein all that uncertainty back in with help from this informative guide. Ready to get started? Here’s how to go on a vacation of a lifetime without breaking the bank.
Create a Strict Budget for Your Travels
Your travel plans are yours alone, so don’t let other people’s wild vacation photos lead you astray. Instead, ignore their highlight reels and reflect on how much money you can throw at a trip.
Look at the total amount you can comfortably save from each check, peer into your savings account, and start tallying up the numbers. Then, think about what type of vacation you want to go on most – and when.
Depending on what you budget looks like, you may need to trade your jet set fantasies for an ultra-fun road trip instead. Whatever you do, resist the urge to increase your vacation budget well above your means. You can still have plenty of fun by taking a budget-friendly approach to your travel plans.
Research Budget-Friendly Trip Ideas
With your budget in mind, you can start researching ways to minimize your expenses without missing out on all the fun and excitement. Cutting just a little bit out here and there can make all the difference in going on vacation – or not.
Start by comparing the cost of traveling to a variety of locales that match your expectations. If you want to travel to the Maldives, for example, but don’t have Maldives money, then set your sights on Seychelles instead.
If you’re unwilling to compromise on the destination, consider changing your travel dates to the shoulder season. By avoiding the peak travel times, you can often get great deals on transportation, accommodations, and so much more.
Don’t forget to look into where you can save money on restaurants, shops, and attractions. Oftentimes, you can get free travel guides full of coupons upon landing at the airport. Or you can buy discount packages at big box stores, like Costco, that help you save a lot of money.
Book When Prices are at Their Best
Sometimes, you can find once-in-a-lifetime deals on travel, but there’s a catch: you have to book immediately to secure your price. If that’s the case, don’t be afraid to book your travel package right then and there.
You may have to pull some strings to ensure the plans go off without a hitch. But it will be well worth the money you save upfront. Just be sure to verify that the prices are historically low rather than misleadingly jacked up, and then slashed down to their normal rate.
If you’re risk adverse, however, peace of mind in knowing that you’ll be able to go may outweigh the savings. You may then want to wait it out – and that’s perfectly fine, too. Just remember that prices will undoubtedly go up as places book out their schedule.
Once you have your plans in place, it’s time to get ready to hit the road and have a great time. If you want a little extra spending money in your pocket when you go, consider picking up extra gig work when you have the time.
About the Author:Marie Abendroth is a skilled content strategist and SEO copywriter who has been a proud part of the gig economy for over 10 years. In her articles, she aims to provide up-to-date info that can help everyone achieve their goals as an independent worker. You can find her on WriterAccess.
