Ten Top Tips for Traveling Light Financially

1. 1. Have a Travel Budget 
      1. Map out your rough plan for the time you are traveling. Remember things like gas, entrance fees, parking, tips, photo packages, etc.  
      2. Allocate dollars to a daily budget. Put more money towards the days you may have bigger ticket experiences/tours or special meals. Track spending each day and adjust as necessary if you spend more than you anticipated.  
   2. Shop Like a Local 
      1. Book accommodations with a kitchen(ette) and shop at the local grocery store to save on eating and drinking out for every meal. Picnics are a fun way to “dine out”. 
      2. Shop at the local farmer’s markets. Not only will you get the local flare and flavor, but you will also save money. 
   3. Souvenir Shopping  
      1. Avoid purchasing souvenirs at central tourist locations. They are called “tourist traps” for a reason.  
      2. Ask yourself if you will use that item back home or will it just sit in a drawer.  
      3. Start collecting something small when you travel, like a magnet, coaster, Christmas ornament, or shot glass, rather than the ukulele you will never play again. 
      4. Take pictures rather than purchasing more stuff. 
   4. Drinking & Eating
      1. Lunches are less expensive than dinners so plan lunch as your big meal and go lighter at dinner. 
      2. If you enjoy alcoholic beverages bring your own rather than ordering at hotel or restaurant prices. 
   5. FREE Admissions
      1. Did you know that most museums offer free admission to the public on certain days? Check out the ones you are interested in and see if it fits your itinerary. 
      2. Many places have free local tours as a part of their municipality’s tourism budget. Google “free walking tour (location)” or just “Free Tour (Location) to find some great opportunities to explore with locals. 
   6.  Flights 
      1. When booking flights try the “flexible dates” option to see if you can move your travel a few days in one direction or the other to save. Typically, off-peak hours are cheaper (e.g. Monday or Tuesday vs. Thursday or Friday) and airlines show this on their flexible dates booking calendars. 
   7.  Try to Avoid Renting a Car 
      1. This could not be truer today with the car rental shortage because of car rental companies selling off their fleets during COVID-19 and then the chip shortage making it impossible to replace their fleets, so car rental prices have skyrocketed. 
      2. Regardless of this, many places have great public transportation options that you should research before deciding to rent a car. Even if you must supplement the public transportation with some Rideshare options, you can save money and time avoiding traffic using public transportation. 
      3. Walking is also a great option in many places and allows you to explore the nooks and crannies of a city. You will notice so much more on the ground level walking. 
      4. If you decide that you still need to rent a car consider pre-paying the rental to save money. 
   8.  Short-term Vacation Rentals
      1. When staying in a place for at least a few days look at renting a house or condominium. The nightly rate can be cheaper than a hotel room, more spacious, and have kitchens for cooking in made easier. 
   9.  Discounts/Coupons 
      1. Look for age, student, and membership discounts. Are you a AAA member? Seniors, children, and students also typically have discounts available to them. 
      2. Always do an internet search for coupon codes for hotels, car rentals, tours, activities, or attractions. Frequently there are codes shared by people or the venues themselves. 
   10.  Ask People with Local Knowledge
       1.  When wandering in and out of shops or at a restaurant ask the locals where their favorite spots to go to eat or where they take friends or family when they visit. 
       2. Ask friends who have gone to where you are going what their favorite places were to see and experience. 
       3. You will usually save time and money listening to those who have wandered those paths before you, plus have some experiences you would not have necessarily known about on your own.  

Now go plan some fun memorable adventures with your people!