Making travel plans includes dozens of decisions that will determine your travel experience. One of the best ways to really enjoy yourself is to find opportunities to save money. There is nothing like combining the fun and relaxation of being on vacation with the satisfaction of smart budgeting. There are many ways to save money when you travel, from packing smart to booking accommodations.
Let us take a look at six great approaches entrepreneurs can use to reduce their travel spending and leave more room in their budget for fun and self-care.
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1) Be Flexible for Best Flight Prices
Most people book their plane tickets with a specific day, time, and airline in mind. But plane tickets are also among the biggest expenses of travel. You may not know this, but plane tickets are demand priced. This means certain days, times, and flights can cost much more (or much less) than other flights. If you’re willing to be flexible with the day and time you travel and the airline you travel with, you can find some amazing deals.
Keep your eyes open and search around within a few days of your intended departure and return dates. You will probably find some surprising discounts.
2) Sign Up for Membership Everywhere
As Reader’s Digest explains, there are all sorts of services that will give you discounts and travel extras just for being a registered member. Interestingly, you do not necessarily have to actually buy anything or use a service before becoming a member. Airline tickets, rental cars, airport lounges, and hotels are all great examples of opportunities to save by joining the loyalty club first before your first booking or use of the service. Any time you are about to pay for something or see a service you’d like, look for a chance to sign up as a member first.
3) Get Your Food at Grocery Stores
Restaurants, especially at the airport, are another major spending point during travel. For those really determined to save money away from home, Discover says to get smart about where you source your meals. Pack sandwiches and snacks for the plane. And rather than living off fast food and restaurant stops in your travel location, swing by a grocery store (don’t forget to pack a few reusable shopping bags to avoid the extra bag charges). Even premade meals from the grocery deli are more affordable than from a restaurant, and the nutrition is often better as well.
4) Save on Stress
Entrepreneurs wear a lot of hats, and there is no way around that. However, it does not mean you need to wear all the hats. Instead of dealing with all the details involved with running your daily affairs, look to outside experts and services that can tend the grunt work. This will cut down on the amount of stress, time and energy you spend on things that are not your forte, so you can focus more on doing what you do best: growing your business.
Take tasks like filing your annual report, for instance. This is something that all Florida businesses need to do, every year, and it requires a fair amount of data compilation, organization and report generation. But there is no reason you need to do all that yourself, since there are online services like Zenbusiness that can undertake the process on your behalf. They will set up a personalized dashboard to ease information gathering, then will put your report together and file it for you. It’s a great way to lighten your everyday obligations — and your stress load.
5) Book a Short-Term Rental Instead of a Hotel
Staying in a hotel is not always the most economical way to travel. There are often more affordable, if less mainstream, options for travel lodgings. A short-term vacation rental is a potentially better option than a traditional hotel, since you’ll have access to more spacious accommodations, it will likely come with a kitchen for cooking your own meals, and you may be given more amenities like a private pool. With a vacation rental, you can hit up all the spots you want to check out and then come back to a place that feels like home.
6) Explore the Non-Tourist Opportunities
Finally, use your rental car (if booking one) and travel freedom to fully enjoy your travel destination. There is no need to limit your adventures to overpriced tourist areas and attractions. Instead, find ways to enjoy the non-tourist opportunities known only by the locals. Ask around for the best low-cost restaurants, parks, activities, and cultural flavor, or add an app to your phone for finding the best spots. You can also check out a website like Groupon for great deals on nearby activities and dining options.
Saving money when you travel is easier than most people realize. The key is to think independently. Compare prices, sign up for memberships, shop at grocery stores, and scope out coupons ahead of your trip. You can put your vacation budget to much better use when you can pick and choose how you spend.
Photo: Pixabay
Credit: Sheila Olson
