It’s that time of year again- time to start thinking about your holiday vacation if you haven’t already. You may be hankering to visit the Caribbean, and wondering how you’ll be able to afford it. Or, perhaps you have your eye on that ski vacation, but aren’t sure how to reduce the costs to a manageable sum. Fortunately, saving big is my specialty, and I’m here to help you get the most bang for your buck during this year’s holiday vacation. Here are my top 7 suggestions for how to save money on your holiday getaway.
1- Eat in. It may sound counterintuitive, but eating in during your holiday vacation is a great way to save hundreds of dollars on the cost of your trip. Consider purchasing travel food packages from your local caterer or grocery store. Or, make a trip to the local grocery store near your hotel and stock up on bread, peanut butter and cereal (don’t forget the disposable plates and utensils). Instead of splurging on the hotel’s breakfast, grab a bowl of cereal in your hotel room and head out for the day. Pack yourself a sandwich so that you won’t feel obligated to stop at an expensive restaurant for lunch. Choose your top 2 or 3 restaurants to enjoy during your holiday vacation and skip the rest- you’ll not only save money, but calories as well.
2- Opt for last minute holiday getaways. If you don’t have specific plans to attend Aunt Millie’s 90th birthday in Atlanta, there isn’t an immediate rush to book your travel plans. If you aren’t set on a specific destination, don’t be afraid to take advantage of last minute deals. I happen to really enjoy Priceline, because you can bid on your hotel room price, rental car deals, and other expenses- and your low bid may even get accepted. Who knows- you may actually enjoy the excitement of a last-minute holiday getaway!
3- Enjoy your holiday vacation on the beach. There’s no question that warm destinations generally cost more during the holiday season. The upside is, however, that once you’re there, spending time on the beach is a remarkably affordable way to pass the time (in fact, most often, it’s free!). Instead of choosing a destination where you’ll have to pay expensive entrance fees (such as ski lift tickets, theme park entrances, and the like), consider a tropical getaway that will allow you to just relax your worries away on the beach.
4- Consider a house swap. You may be itching to escape for a brief holiday getaway, but you’d be surprised how many people may be interested in escaping to your home. Save on your holiday vacation expenses by looking for a house swap, or even by renting out your home to vacationers during the holiday.
5- Look for coupons or discounts. A great way to save on your next holiday vacation is to search for coupons or discounts to the attractions that you’re interested in. AAA, for example, offers discounts to its members at thousands of attractions throughout the United States. Major cities also offer a City Pass, which is a booklet through which you can enjoy savings on many of the city’s most popular attractions.
6- Drive, don’t fly. Although driving may limit the number of places that you can spend your holiday getaway, you may be surprised to learn how many interesting places are within driving distance from your home. Driving to your destination will not only save money on airline tickets, but it will prevent you from spending money on a rental car as well.
7- Bring your own water during day trips. It sounds funny, but a significant expense of most vacations is the expense for drinks during the day. A small bottle of water at a theme park or nature reserve café can cost up to 5 times the amount that a similar bottle costs in the local grocery store. If you intend to pursue vigorous activities, to spend time in the sun, or just to be thirsty during the day, you can save a bundle by bringing your own water bottles with you. Save extra money by refilling the bottles with tap water, or purchase an economy pack of water bottles so that you won’t run out during your vacation.
Happy Vacationing,
Billy