Money Saving Tips for the Holiday
Introduction
We all know how expensive vacations can be, especially when you add on extra costs like insurance, eating out, tours, and excursions. For young people who want to see the world, saving money is very important because traveling costs a lot!
There are a lot of things to save for when we think about how much travel costs: plane tickets, hotels, insurance, and snacks. But it's not hard to save for a vacation, and that shouldn't stop you from seeing the world with your family and friends.
Online, you can find a huge number of budgeting tips. But to save you time, we've put together a list of our top picks below. Okay, now here are some of our best tips to help you save money for a trip and get more for your money when you go.
1. Book flights at least one month in advance.
When you book your plane tickets at the last minute, they tend to cost more. Start looking at prices months before your trip and book when you find a good deal. For domestic travel, the best time to book is about one month before, and for international travel, it's two to four months. Third-party vendor sites can help you figure out which airline has the best prices.
2. Time your travel right
The busiest days of the week are usually Fridays and Sundays, so prices for flights, train tickets, and rental cars are usually higher on those days. If you can, try to travel on Wednesdays or Saturdays, when there's usually less demand and lower prices. If you can, try to avoid peak times like holidays and school breaks. If you can, travel during "shoulder season," which is the time between high season and off-seasons, like September and November.
3. Compare flying and driving costs
In the past, driving your own car was usually cheaper than flying. Unfortunately, the current higher gas prices might make things different. Your estimated gas costs can be found by multiplying the distance of the trip by the average number of miles per gallon and then multiplying that number by the price of gas. Additionally, remember that gas prices may be higher in some states than others.
4. Skip the rental car
Renting a car might be one of the most expensive ways to get from A to B. Consider other options if you usually rent a car when you get to your destination. Utilizing public transportation and biking will save you the most money, but sharing is also an option. Estimate how much your rideshare bill will be by using an online fare calculator. Next, check that estimate against how much it costs to rent a car, which includes gas.
5. Lower gas costs
If you need to drive for your upcoming trip, here are some tips to save money on gas and get better gas mileage: get rid of extra luggage and stay away from gas stations near busy intersections.
6. BYO food
We've all been there: we were hungry at the airport or on the road and had to buy expensive snacks. You can avoid the markup if you bring food from home. If you're flying, don't forget to bring an empty water bottle that you can use again and again. Before getting on the plane, fill up at a water fountain after going through security.
7. Try unconventional ways to pay less for a hotel
Hotel prices aren't always fixed. You might be able to get a better deal than the price you see online if you call the hotel and ask if they offer any discounts for students, government workers, or members of certain groups, like AAA.
You could also stay at a hotel that is close to an airport, which is likely to be cheaper, though you might have to pay a little more for transportation while you're there. You might be able to get a better deal on rooms at hotels that are still being built if you can handle the noise. You could also find a cheap room at a micro hotel.
Conclusion
Traveling on a tight budget can be a bit limiting, but the benefits are huge. Besides saving money, you'll be able to see your destination in a new way, meet people who live there, and be creative with the things you do every day.