Spring is the perfect time to travel; the weather is nice, the sun is out, and you can venture out before the start of the summer season. While travel is not a necessity, you can enjoy a lovely vacation without breaking the bank. Continue reading to learn more about budget-friendly destinations and planning strategies.
Planning Strategies
1. Plan Ahead
The earlier you start to plan, the more money you can save. Flights, lodging, and event tickets could be cheaper. Planning also gives you the opportunity to save up money to pay for all aspects of your vacation over time. Take time to figure out where you want to go, what you want to do on your trip, and the estimated costs. Also, by booking ahead, you will not have to worry about the low availability of flights, lodging, or rental cars.
2. Find Free Things To Do
After paying so much to just get to and from a destination, you do not want to have to pay for every activity. When searching for destinations, aim to find a place that offers free activities or events that interest you. If you are selecting a resort or a cruise, see which activities have been included in your payment.
3. Stay Smart With Your Food Spending
After the initial costs of travel, the cost of food can get quite expensive if you are not smart about it. While you want to enjoy yourself, you also need to be aware of how much you are spending. Start out by making an estimated budget for dining during your trip. Then, check out any restaurants you may want to visit and plan an estimated price per meal at those places. Find out if your hotel or lodging has breakfast included to cut down on overall food costs.
4. Pack Smart
If you are flying, be sure to keep the weight of your luggage under the maximum weight allowance. Overweight baggage fees can add up quickly for a family. Invest in a luggage scale or use a regular scale to determine the weight before leaving for the airport.
5. Choose A Low-Cost Destination
Certain cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami can be extremely expensive to visit. Lodging prices are inflated, food is expensive, and activities are costly. Consider similar cities that comes at a lower cost. You can choose a destination that allows your budget to go further.
Budget-Friendly Destinations
Below is a list of budget-friendly destinations:
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- National Parks
- San Antonio, Texas
- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Portland, Oregon
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- Destin, Florida
- Moab, Utah
To keep your travel plans in line with your financial goals throughout the year, have a knowledgeable financial advisor on your side. Our advisors at Curo Private Wealth can help you with budgeting, saving strategies, investing, and more. Schedule your consultation with us today.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel/how-to-save-money-on-spring-break
https://www.discover.com/online-banking/banking-topics/how-to-save-money-on-spring-break-trip/
https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/more-than-money/budget-travel-tips/
https://www.fbfs.com/learning-center/5-ways-to-enjoy-spring-break-on-a-budget
https://travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-affordable-usa-destinations/
https://www.womansday.com/life/travel-tips/g42697155/budget-friendly-destinations/