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It’s summer time! And the much awaited vacation begins!

Everyone is agog to travel and have fun, to breathe and to simply escape the hustle and bustle of work! But how would you like to travel on a budget? While it is fun to travel, it is not fun to drain your wallet thereafter. Hence, we present here some budget tips for people on the go, without them having to worry much about running out of money.

1. CREATE A REALISTIC BUDGET

Find out how much you actually need to save prior the trip. How much will your travel cost, including your accommodations, food, transportation (airfare, bus fare, etc.), entertainment, and even shopping. Creating a realistic budget means calculating the total travel cost, setting up a fund, and generating the amount that you need. 

You may set aside an amount every payday, or cut on your spending. You may also get into sidelines to earn additional income, sell on a garage, set up savings jars, what-have-you. The ultimate goal is to raise the money for your dream travel even if it has to entail some tightening of the belt or sacrificing a few of your splurges.

2. PLAN YOUR ITINERARY 

List down the places or tourist attractions that you would like to visit in a certain locality. Check websites for the list and browse for entrance fees, if any. Some botanical parks, museums and beaches offer free admission. 

Planning includes finding budget-friendly accommodations like hostels, apartments, backpackers and pension houses instead of hotels so you can save more on lodging and food. Do you really need to book expensive hotels when you are outdoor most of the time during the day? Practically, a clean room with a comfortable bed would suffice to get you through a night of rest.

3. BRING LIGHT LUGGAGE 

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Nothing beats packing light. Bring just enough clothes and lightweight items to avoid paying extra charges for your carry-on luggage or suitcase, and to enable you to cram in other important stuff. Bringing a tote bag can also be very useful. It can save you money by avoiding having to pay for extra baggage in the airport. Another piece of advice is to always put a piece of shirt or dress in your hand-carry bag or backpack, in case of lost luggage or other emergencies.

If swimming is part of your itinerary, might as well bring your own swimsuit, goggles or tools to avoid buying or renting out more expensive similar items on the resort or beach stores. You may also bring your own tumbler and refill water for free from your hotel or restaurant. 

4. WALK. STROLL. WANDER

It would be cheaper to explore the city by walking around instead of paying for transportation like taxis. You get to take photos (selfies and groupies!), talk with local people and experience their way of living. That is best thing about traveling – you get firsthand experience of the place and its culture. Walking is a good exercise, too. As part of your itinerary, you may plan your sightseeing geographically to save you time and energy, and from getting lost. 

5. TRAVEL IN GROUPS

Last but not the least, travel in a group.  It will save you and your group a lot if you get everyone to share the expenses.  Plus, it’s more fun to travel with a set of people with the same desire and mindset. You don’t want to take selfie all throughout the journey, right?.  Bond with your family or friends. I’m sure, sharing good memories together is a treasure to last a lifetime.

Who says travel is only for the wealthy and financially independent?  With careful planning and good money management, traveling anywhere, anytime is within reach.

Just remember to PLAN AHEAD OF TIME. What’s the use of traveling if it would only drain your bank account savings and retirement fund? You don’t want that to happen, do you? Planning will not only save you money, it will also enable you to maximize your time, energy and resources without stripping you of the fun!

Enjoy and take the best of care!

Author: Divine M. Cabaddu. A certified traveller at heart.