6 Tips to Enjoy Your Holiday Without Breaking the Bank

We all deserve a break from work and our ordinary lives to recharge and refresh our minds and bodies, and even if you have plenty of cash to splash, there’s no point in blowing it all on unnecessary travel expenses. And if you have to do it on a tight budget, all you need is some planning, the right attitude and the ability to be flexible. Travelling cheap means you place the joy of adventure and exploration above luxury, so there’s no excuse to forego a break because your savings calculator only says ‘maybe’.  I hope these 6 Tips to enjoy your holiday without breaking the bank will inspire you to book your next vacation!

1. Buy Only on What You Need

When you’re on holiday, you need to prioritise and spend your money only on necessities. Remember, little things add up; you’ll save if you buy your favourite gourmet tea or coffee, but get home brands for everything else. When planning your trip, choose what to see and do based on the experience as the prize, rather than the luxury it might bring. If you’re going to spend your holiday sightseeing or engaging in activities, why not stay in a hostel? If it’s convenient, make your breakfast and dinner wherever you’re staying so you can have a bought lunch or enjoy a night out. Always fly with budget airlines if you can, and travel lightly, so you aren’t charged for extra baggage. Tightening your belt when travelling need not make you feel deprived, just make your little splurges fit into your budget. 

2. Research Currency Choices

Australian travellers are at a disadvantage now with the dollar dipping so low against the US and bouncing around quite a lot from day to day. The best advice is to exchange your currency before you leave and take a ‘mixed wallet’ of foreign money, a credit/debit card and a foreign exchange travel card. This covers you in case one of these is lost or fails. Use cards for online shopping for tickets to attractions, and cash may be better for local transport, tips and buying goods in local markets. Most countries have ATMs so choose a credit or debit card that is free of foreign transactions charges, and if not, then search for the best options for exchanging currency, so you don’t fall foul of the terrible rates and charges at airport kiosks. These extra fees will knock a hole in your budget before you even leave the airport. 

3. Search For The Lowest Air Fare

It’s easy to find bargain basement airfares, so here is where you can save a lot of money. The Choice(1) website has some research results from last year, which gives a good rundown of the cheapest flights. For instance, Cheap Flights and Kayak had cheaper fares than the airlines, and Skyscanner beat the airlines’ prices in three out of four cases. You don’t need to wear high fashion while you’re travelling so don’t overpack – it is tough for some people to do, but it’s essential that you limit your luggage to a carry-on bag to avoid extra fees. You can wash your clothes when you get to your destination or change in the middle of your trip if need be.

4. Free Accommodations

If you have friends or family living overseas, ask if you can do some couch surfing. Staying with people you know is also great for getting tips on what to see and do. If you don’t know anybody in the place you’re visiting, try the actual couch surfing website to find a free place to sleep on a couch, a space on the floor or even a bed. Check the reviews carefully. Especially, if you’re a woman traveling solo. Other ways of finding locals to put you up for free are Global Freeloaders and The Hospitality Club. Try house sitting or swapping with someone who wants to travel to Australia.

5. Set a Limit on Souvenirs

Setting a limit on the souvenirs you buy will help your budget, and will mean less luggage to take back home, and fewer fees and charges. Try to find the least expensive places to shop, and have some idea of how much you can spend before you go. To help you manage impulse buying, try the shopping rule that says you should wait for three days, and if you still want the item, then buy it. That might be a little difficult when you’re on holiday, but if you can wait for any length of time, come back after lunch even… You might realize life as you know it won’t be any different if you forgo the that $200 wool jumper from Greenland. 

6. Eat Wisely, Cook Your Own Healthy Meals 

Meals, tips and snacks while traveling can be costly. Take your own snacks. Plan to cook your own melas. Provided, you follow the rules relating to transporting certain food and items into other countries or you’ll pay fines at customs. You can buy food when you arrive at your destination to save money. It doesn’t mean you have to cart heavy groceries around or never eat at a cafe or restaurant. Just limit where possible, and make dining out a special event. In some accommodations, you can use a kitchen. So, eat healthy and cook for yourself. If your attitude is ‘experience is king’, then a little cooking and dishwashing won’t destroy your holiday. And as long as you’ve consulted your travel doctor and had all necessary vaccinations, you should stay healthy and have a great time. Bon voyage! 

Follow Just Marla on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for foodie finds, travel tips, and our family adventures. I would be glad to answer any questions you have about additional tips to enjoy your holiday without breaking the bank! Feel free to comment below or message me.