Content from staff writer for 5 Tips to Maximize Your Travel Budget
Hopefully, 2021 will see travel really open up again. This means that now is a great time to start thinking about where you’d like to go, what you’d like to do, and how you’re going to pay for it.
With that in mind, here are four tips on how to maximize your travel budget.
Get to grips with your regular budget
If COVID19 has hit your finances hard, then it’s time to do something about it. Even if you’re eager to get as much money together as quickly as possible, be careful about how you do it. Avoid “fast-money” scams, like the Debt to Success System scam. Instead, research solid, proven strategies like the real Debt to Success System.
Even if you’re not in debt, check you’re getting the best deals on every purchase you make. That includes both contracts for services (like credit cards, insurance, and utilities) and physical items (like groceries).
Think about what matters most to you when traveling
Travelling essentially boils down to four activities. These are getting from A to B, eating and drinking, sleeping, and exploring.
Start by ranking these in order of priority. Then think about how much you can realistically afford to spend on travel. Error on the side of caution here. Then think about what percentage of your travel budget to deploy on what priority.
In simple terms, if you’re on a super-tight budget, you might want to focus on just your top priority.
As your budget increases, you can start thinking about your lower-ranked priorities. For example, if money is really tight but you love the feeling of sleeping in a luxury hotel, then your best option might be to have a mid-week overnight stay at a local luxury hotel.
Consider a tour package
Logic would suggest that booking a vacation by yourself would be cheaper than using an agent. On the contrary, the experts can often unlock better deals through group bookings and pre-planned excursions. If you want to visit Japan, for example, you’ll be eager to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime trip by seeing as many places as possible.
A pre-planned itinerary can save you money while also adding convenience. When booking independently, you also run the risk of one canceled journey putting the rest of your booked activities in jeopardy. This is not a concern when everything is covered in one package, which prevents the threat of unexpected costs. When added to the fact that you won’t be worried about the organizational aspects, your trip will be far more comfortable from start to finish.
Check airline baggage rules
There are two reasons for checking airline baggage rules. The first is that it allows you to pack to the tightest restrictions. That way, if you need to get an unexpected flight, you’re going to avoid excess baggage charges.
The second is that it encourages you to pack mindfully. This isn’t just about packing less. It’s about making the most of your packing space.
Packing smart has a whole host of add-on benefits for the budget traveler. For example, minimizing your baggage makes it a whole lot easier to take public transport rather than paying for cabs.
It also means you’ll generally pay less for secure storage if you need to leave your baggage unattended.
See if you can “gig work” on holiday
This one can take a bit of luck, but it’s worth investigating.
See if you can sign up for “gig working” that fits into your holiday. The obvious example of this would be mystery shopping. All kinds of companies use mystery shoppers. This includes airlines, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Be aware that mystery shopping is highly unlikely to cut the upfront cost of your trip. Generally, you need to shop as normal and then claim back the cost plus the fee.
In fact, in some cases, you’re expected to buy something you need anyway and just get a fee. It can, however, be a useful way of topping up your travel budget while enjoying your travel experience.
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