Image Credit MOI and model is my littlest man!
Needing a vacation and not being able to afford one only increases your dire need to get away from the stress of the day to day. Planning and taking a vacation on a budget (even your DREAM Vacation!) may be more within reach than you think if you know where to look and stay persistent in your dedication to saving money. Be sure to start looking ahead of time if possible, so that by the time you have reached your tolerance of the routine you will be poised and ready to grab the perfect deal.
Planning Ahead vs. Last Minute
There can be advantages to both planning ahead and waiting until the last minute when it comes to grabbing a bargain. Planning ahead allows you to save money because resorts and airlines like to secure business ahead of time to reduce the risk of not filling up seats. Waiting till the last minute can also save you money because there are always going to be seats and rooms that have not been filled. It is hard to say which one is likely to cost the least as there are many variables like the season, availability, competition, and even projected weather. If you have a little bit of money saved aside, it never hurts to look for last minute vacation deals to see if something pops up in your price range.
Package Deals vs. Booking Yourself
When you go to a grocery store or a convenient store, you will often find bundled products that are complimentary like ketchup and mustard. Vacations fortunately work the same way allowing you to bundle items including airplane tickets, hotel rooms, rent-a-car services, and even meals in some situations. Cruise ships are usually a bundled vacation package including visitation to multiple tropical locations, food for the whole trip, a place to sleep, and nightly entertainment.
Off Season Deals
One of the best ways to save money is to consider and research the vacation destinations that are in the off season. Many great sunny locations have great weather year round but still experience busy and slow times throughout the year. For example, between the late fall and early spring is a great time to visit a local beach. Off season vacations also have the benefit of providing a more relaxing environment since you won’t have to deal with nearly as many tourists.
Try New Things
Some of the most enjoyable and relaxing experiences in life require little or no money at all. It is great to splurge and go on a dream vacation from time to time, but if you are in need of a break from the norm then there are plenty of opportunities to save while having a great time. For example, camping is a great vacation idea that can require as little as ten dollars a night to rent a campsite. The only other costs are for gas to travel there, food, and other camping supplies like fire wood. With frugality as a goal, you open up all kinds of opportunities to try new things and appreciate things in life that money can’t buy like relationships, family, and nature.
Shopping for bargains on vacations can be fun as you think about all the money you are saving and the unique places you might have not otherwise considered. Don’t worry, that relaxing vacation that you need is within your reach and an affordable bargain is right around the corner.
If you’re planning a Vacation this year, Groupon Getaways are also an awesome way to save BIG on hotel, flight, car rental and entire vacation packages. These deals also run on a weekly basis with new travel deals added each week. The best Groupon Getaway deals also sell out quickly!
Got your own tips and ways that help you save on vacation? Leave us a comment below and tell us what works for you!
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Guest article by Promotionalcodes.org.uk – where you can search through a large choice of discount codes and vouchers for large brands and stores such as Zavvi and Travelodge.
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