Vacationing on a Budget
So it’s time to take a vacation, but you’re on a budget, and now you are trying to stay within your means while you enjoy a little rest and relaxation. You work hard all year long to finally get a week or so to spend with just you and your family. The last thing any of us want while on vacation is to feel the stress of over spending.
Considering all factors
When planning you have to ask yourself many questions to prepare. How long do we have to plan? How much do we have to spend? How many people are going? How are we getting there? How long are we going to be there? Where are we going to stay?
Time frame can change the forecast
If you are a planner and allow plenty of time to consider components of vacation you are better off. Waiting till the last minute to plan a vacation is a real gamble. You may find a cancellation that saves you a lot of money, or you may find out you are going to pay a lot for things that aren’t already booked. Another benefit to planning early is the ability to pay for the majority of your vacation before its time, thus giving you a clearer outlook on your budget when it’s time.
You get what you pay for
Most cases a larger budget allows for a lavish vacation. Doing a bit of research can allow the same while spending less. We live in a wonderful era of technology and with a few searches online we are able to find amazing deals. Discounts and coupons are offered daily if you are searching the right sites.
Is there really strength in numbers
When discussing vacation the more appropriate term would be added expense in numbers. Usually the more you have the higher the bill is. Everything is affected by this when on a trip. If you are planning a trip for two, you will either have extra to spend, or spend less and save more. Planning for a family does increase the cost a bit but it also increases the memories which is why most of us go on vacation to begin with.
Are we there yet
This is something most of us have either heard or said while on a road trip. Some parents say there is no way I want to be stuck in the car for hours on end with cranky children. Spending a little more on upgraded transportation is sometimes well worth it. If you decide to fly you should remember a few things; booking in advance, and booking for the middle of the week will save you money. When you land at your destination how do you plan on getting around? If you haven’t taken this into consideration renting a car could be a solution. With the added expenses you are going to have to make some sacrifices to keep your budget balanced. As mentioned before using the internet to find deals can offset some of this
Average vacation duration
When searching for the average vacation length the majority of internet searches reveal eight days. The average length of time taken off from work is seven days. If you are off on weekends you will get nine days making the last few days somewhat stressful if you stay too long. In most cases the longer you stay the more you will spend. Short stay vacations can feel as relaxing, be more budget friendly, and still allow you time to recuperate before returning to work.
Lodging is all about location, location, location
When discussing lodging there are so many options. If your vacation is a quick retreat for your significant other and yourself a nice hotel may be the perfect plan. Staying longer or with more family and Airbnb may be a great option. This will allow you to save money on meals by cooking vs. eating out for every meal. If you plan a vacation where there may be a lot of driving then renting an RV may be a good plan for you. You will be able to drive, have lodging and even cook avoiding excessive fast food stops. The cheapest alternative for lodging would be tent camping. There are so many national parks that have campsites, hiking trails, and other activities.
Planning a staycation instead
Staycations can be just as fun and provide just as many memories. When on a staycation you have the comfort of sleeping in your own bed at night. Since you are home you don’t have the added expense of lodging and food. During a staycation you can plan activities outside of your home such as theme parks, water parks, and many other road trips that still allow you luxury of being home at night.
Summary
Vacationing on a budget may take a bit more planning but can be just as enjoyable. You can get much better deals if you plan early and shop around. Using the internet you have the ability to find multiple deals at once and compare. You don’t have to leave home in order to have a good vacation.