Traveling on a budget is almost a given these days. Knowing how and where to save money will allow you the extra funds for the occasional splurge. There are several tips you can use to help you save money. The first is in selecting when to travel. When possible, I try to travel off peak season, since the resorts are less booked and the booking agents are more motivated to fill the empty rooms. You can usually get more for less. Ask if there are any promotions available like free meals, discount tickets to area activities and events, or even getting a free night if certain conditions are met. Also selecting to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays will usually garner you the cheapest airline tickets, and don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade. When space is available, airlines will often offer to upgrade you to first or business class for a nominal fee. Another quick tip is to go shopping before you settle in. No, not that kind of shopping. I recommend hitting the local grocery store or Walmart. If you can’t find one, ask the cleaning staff because they are more likely to guide you to the bargains than the hotel’s concierge. This may sound like you’re being cheap, and not in a good way, but when the hunger kicks in, you’ll be grateful for an alternative to pricey room service or the room’s minibar which I believe the hotel puts in the room in hopes that you get so tired that you fail to notice the mind blowing prices. I think we’ve all been there. Who hasn’t been tempted by the $5 can of soda or the $12 bag of peanuts? Can I get an AMEN? Don’t forget to look for savings outside your hotel. Many resorts and amusement parks offer discounts. Don’t be afraid to ask, and do your homework beforehand. Remember, Google is your friend. Amusement parks often sell refillable cups which allow you to get all your drinks for free or for some nominal fee. After two refills, you’ve already made your money back. Another place to look for discounts is in the city’s resort guide which can be found at rest stops and on the check-in desk and in the room of most hotels. These guides often have coupons for restaurants, and activities.
While it is important to know how save, it’s just as important to know when not to pinch pennies. Don’t forget why you chose this destination. You’ve invested time and money to be there so give yourself permission to enjoy it. Buy the mouse ears; eat funnel cake. Take an Uber instead of walking back to the hotel at night when you’re not sure exactly where you’re going, remember, safety is worth its weight in gold, and you can’t go back and make a better decision.
A great example of this is a trip I took with my mother. We were tired and decided to spend the night at a hotel. Well, to say that I am extremely particular when it comes to selecting a hotel would be a true understatement. I don’t just check out the amenities and star ratings, I delve a little further. I read the reviews to see how the hotel stacks up in the areas that I care about. Then I look at the shops, restaurants, and activities that are nearby. The trip with my mother was not such a case. We hadn’t planned to spend the night, so I had not done my due diligence. There was some big university event, and most of the hotels were booked, so we were forced to settle on a budget hotel whose name I can’t remember. The room was horrific. It was dark and dingy and the door was difficult to lock. We quickly decided that the money we’d spent wasn’t worth compromising our safety; we’d rather keep driving until we found somewhere we trusted.
A Nomad's Journey 