On the brink of the new year, I started planning for 2020. I made lists of things that I wanted to learn to cook, articles that I wanted to save and places I wanted to go. Planning is essential with regard to large and small objectives, but especially for those of us who are looking forward to getting out of our comfort zones and trying something new. If you plan your travel plans to come, here are some things to keep in mind to help you save money.
First, give priority to where you want your money to go.
When you travel, what do you like the most? For me, I prefer to put my money where my mouth is literally. I am the happiest to put most of my dollars to meals. I am the happiest to eat local cuisine, and although none of my meals must necessarily be sumptuous, I prefer not to compromise on so many new things – local snacks, craft beer or cocktails and the best restaurants in the region.
What I am happy to let go is buying memories, staying in the perfect hotel or hitting each tourist destination. I'm going to sleep somewhere, it's more profitable, and if a museum ticket or fleet entrance fees is a little stiff, I will usually jump it. If the city I visit is known for a specific place, I will try to hit this, then jump the stains lower in the list if necessary.
When you select a destination, plan to visit a place where you already have friends or family.
I made my 2020 travel list based on the places I want to go and the people I want to see, and fortunately, there is a little overlap between the two. Visiting a friend is quite fun as is, and with the additional advantage of seeing a new city. And it does not hurt to have the potential to save by eliminating the costs of the hotel or by eating the occasional meal at home.
Look for cheaper flights.
Since flights can often be the most expensive part of a trip, they are also the area where you can seek to maximize savings to reduce the budget of your vacation overall.
If you waste time traveling with flight routes that have longer steep stews, you are already preparing to make a trip at a lower cost. In addition, longer failures can sometimes mean the possibility of exploring a new destination! During the last trips, I was able to spend a few hours in Amsterdam when I returned home to the United States of India and spend an hour seizing pizzas with my parents while flying from Los Angeles to Asia, all thanks to longer Lamandes.
Do not forget to define alerts for cheaper flights and check ThriftyTraveler.com For good flight offers.
Consider inexpensive or free housing.
In advance, consult house or house exchange options. And as long as you feel safe and comfortable doing so, sofa surfing is also a great option – you save money and you may even make some local friends. If you prefer to live elsewhere, the hostels are generally very affordable. Or, search for airbnbs or cheaper motels along your route or just outside your destination. You may need to travel a little more in the center of the city, but depending on public transport costs or your desire to walk, this could be the most friendly housing option.
Regarding food, consider packing snacks or purchases in grocery stores.
For most of my life, I am a vegetarian. So when I visit places where meat is included in most of their popular kitchen options, I will pack a few protein bars in my bag. This saves me in the money on a plate of boiled potatoes or another bland vegetarian alternative, and it has the additional advantage of helping me save money.
But if you try to save precious space in your bag and avoid luggage costs, remember that a grocery store could be your best friend. One of my favorite things to travel is to visit a local grocery store for fresh products and local snacks. More often than not, I can try something that I have never had before.
Use the right credit card.
Do you use a card that gives you travel points, rewards or cashback? Do research before reservation of flights, hotels, etc. And find out what is the best option for you, whether it is to apply for a new card or simply modify the reward options available to you with your current card.
Finally, find free things to do.
Whether you are happy to visit a local park, a library or another public space, remember that there are tons of free things to do in any city. Many museums also offer free admission days, and many visits to a city will generally show you hot spots and districts for free. A quick search on Google will give you more details.
Good trip, friends!
Virali Dave is a writer in Los Angeles. Born in Mumbai, she has always considered the west coast as the best coast. You can find chronicle meetings with burritos on Instagram @virali and on Twitter @viralidave.
