It is easy to lose yourself in vacation fantasies. However, while planning a vacation you need to be realistic and understand how you can make the most of your vacation within your budget. You can make the most of your money by preparing ahead to plan an outstanding trip. Here are some suggestions you can follow to plan a vacation on a budget and save money.
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Plan your trip budget
This is the most important step that would affect the rest of your vacation planning process. You need to first determine how much your budget is for your entire trip including lodging, transportation, food, and shopping expenses. There are various methods to organize a budget-friendly getaway or staycation, so it doesn’t cost a lot of money. To plan out each category, utilize my free Vacation Budget Worksheet. If you feel something is too pricey as you’re planning, cut it back or remove it from the list.
Look for deals
You can research all kinds of travel websites to score deals on hotels, airline travel, amusement park tickets, and so on. Here are some great resources you can rely on Expedia, Groupon Getaways, Google Flights, Travelocity, and more. Make sure to look for bargains once you have decided on your budget. Once you know where you are going and how much you need to spend, you will be able to look for specific savings.
Plan your itinerary
If you are planning to save on your travel, you can also start scheduling how you will be planning all your activities. Make a list of all the sightseeing activities, tours, and excursions you want to attend. If there is a need to make reservations, then you need to do that in advance. If you are planning to do a lot of running around in a day, you can block off the next day for some relaxation. You can go ahead and make bookings in advance. You can use Yelp or other trusted sites to research reviews and pricing to make sure that you wouldn’t blow up your trip budget.
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Carry a debit card or prepaid Visa card
Using a prepaid visa card or debit card for expenses on your vacation would be your best bet. You can also carry a credit card along to tackle emergencies and use a prepaid or debit card for everything else. You will also receive discounts if you opt to pay in cash instead of a credit card.
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Use a travel credit card
Although prepaid and cash cards promise perks, travel cards also help you save a lot of money on your vacation. Travel cards promise some of the best perks in the industry. You can benefit from its use to save money and stay within your budget. Several travel credit cards also carry special perks like free travel insurance and discounted car rentals.
Look for a card that works best per your vacation needs whether that is saving on airfare or getting points that you can utilize for restaurants or entertainment. If you want to use a credit card, make sure to pay it off. By paying the full statement balance each month and avoiding interest, you could cancel any potential rewards you have earned. Most credit cards come with online banking apps that can help you track how much you are spending. If you have a tendency to go overboard, then you have the option to lock your card so that you don’t exceed your limit. This will help you stay within your budget.
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Look for hidden charges
While planning your vacation, there could be hidden charges that could prove to be a nuisance. You will find them everywhere from credit card fees to charges for luggage. Parking costs, Wi-Fi, and gratuities can also add to your travel expenses. Hence, planning is extremely crucial before embarking on any travel adventure.