8 Tips for travelling on a budget!

1. Budget, budget, budget!

“Meh, I don’t need a budget! They’re for squares!”

The most important thing you do before booking anything is to organize a budget. I cannot stress how important it is to have an idea of costs beforehand. Not only does it give you a realistic idea of whether of not your trip would possible, but it also gives you an idea of how much you need to save on top of that!

“How am I supposed to keep track of my budget?”

Literally, there is an app for that. Just search for one and pick your favorite.

My top paid app: My Budget Book (OneTwoApps).

My top free app: TripBudget (Calibvr LLC)

Apps, unless paid, are a little iffy sometimes though. I find that most are lacking on certain features or missing certain variables that can affect your budget. Those two just happen to be the best that I found that meet most of the requirements you’d need to accurately budget your adventure.

OR…

A great, completely FREE tool for tracking your vacation budget is Microsoft Excel. For those of you new to entire concept of Excel, there are templates pre-programmed into the program. Simply open Excel, click on the funky microsft logo on the top left hand corner; click on New. Once you do this, a new box will open, on the left hand side, select the second option “Installed Templates” and click on one of the handy, pre built templates they offer! It does all the calculating for you, just plug in the numbers! (Ps. My favorite one to use is titled: Holiday Budget Planner).

2. Early Bird Get’s the Worm!

“What about last minute deals?”

Another extremely important thing I cannot stress enough; book early. There is no such thing as last minute super sales. If you see a good deal, go for it.

A lot of the hesitation for booking early is from the “what if something better comes along?” mentality. It’s all poppycock. The chances of you finding that golden egg are slim. By default, if you’re within 30 days to departure and you still haven’t booked yet, those prices are going nowhere but up.

“When should I book then?”

Well, you can never guess precisely when and what airline prices will do. It is completely based on some complicated, headache of an algorithm programmed into the airlines systems.

And those random seat sales? 

Reprogrammed or literally, randomly place due to low sales.

Despite this, from my experience, I would say aim to book about three months in advance. I usually start tracking prices about 4 months before, just so that by the time 3 months come along, I know if I’m banging a good deal or if I should hold off another week or two.

Also by my experience, within 1 month of departure is the jack up mark. At this point, the airline has already come to terms with the number of seats sold on that flight. Yes, they may throw a insanely low rate in there if they’re desperate, but most of the time they increase the price because they know anyone booking now, would be desperate to get on that flight.

Save yourself the headache of waiting last minute then having to completely scrap your plans or paying more for a ticket you could have had cheaper 2 months ago! Even if the price goes down, you had less of a head ache, and more time to plan, budget and save with no last minute curve balls!

3. Location, Location, Location

This applies to not only your destination, but also your accommodations!

When searching for a destination, consider the price, safety and popularity during that time. For example, Cuba in mid January won’t be the same price as Cuba in June. Try to avoid peak seasons; this will save you money on air and accommodations. If you have no choice on that destination, then book early!

When it comes to your accommodations, try to find something budget friendly in as central a location as possible. For example, if you chose to focus on excursions in Cancun, aim for a place downtown, near most of the major bus lines. Or if you’re more of a beach bum, aim for someplace closer to the beach zone for more ease of travel. Want to do both? Aim for somewhere in between. Splurge a little bit more on a place that closer to your needs, what you spend in the added cost will save you time and money on transportation.

4. Exchange Rates

Now I don’t know about you guys but if math wasn’t your favorite subject in high school, then this may be where your trip will bite you in the butt.

Research the exchange rate of your destination ahead of time to get an idea in your head. For example; 1CAD = 15.52Pesos (by today’s rate). I write this on a piece of paper and keep it with me along with a few other multiple values. Eg:

1CAD = 15.52Pesos
5CAD = 77.6Pesos
10CAD = 155.21 Pesos
15CAD = 232.81 Pesos
Etc.

This is so I don’t end up over paying for something that I didn’t need to. It’s easy to get confused with the big numbers. And honestly, when a currency is weaker that your own, most people become splurgers because “everything is so cheap!”.  Don’t let the big numbers fool you though!

5. Insurance

GET IT. Period.

There is no such thing as saving money and skipping insurance. Working in the travel industry, I could list you hundreds of absolute horror stories where clients skipped on insurance and got, for lack of a better word, royally f&#ked. Add it to your budget as a necessity and shop around for quotes.

Travel insurance is no joke. Medical, Cancellation, Interruption, etc, can sometimes literally end up being life or death. If you decide to ignore my warning and want to skip it any way, for pete's sake, at least get medical. For most people medical for 7 days is like $40 CAD.

6. Shop till you drop!

Looking for a good deal on a flight is like looking for a good deal on a car, or on anything in fact! You won’t know if something is really and truly a good deal until you search all alternative options. Don’t restrict your search to one site, move around! Try a different routing, airlines, departure dates!

One of the best and my favorite tools for search by far is Google flights. It doesn’t even matter that I have a system that grants me direct access to airline availability and pricing at my finger as a travel agent, I still check everything on Google flights first. It’s just SO comfortable and user friendly!

7. Go Local!

You know that saying? When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do?

Apply it to any destination you go to. When visiting a country, do as the local’s do. This means, eat, travel, drink, explore what local products you can. Of course there is always an extent to this. Know where your limit is, and of course, always keep your safety in mind. Avoid untreated water, and food cooked in less than hygienic surroundings or vendors who have already prepared food and look like they’ve been on that street for way to long. If something looks questionable, take that as your stomach telling you that’s your queue to get out of dodge.

But that’s not to say that all local food is bad. Getting out of your comfort zone gastronomically can be an amazing experience that can open your world to so much more! 

I also recommend, when possible, travel like a local! Some of the best conversation's and most memorable experiences I've had has been taking local transportation. You meet the most interesting and amazing people that can open your eyes to new experiences and things to do in the area! Of course, always research the local public transportation system before just hoping on a bus and hoping for the best. You don't want to be stranded in the wrong part of time after dark (personal experience -.-). 

And when it comes to alcohol, honestly, some of the best drinks I've had are local to that region. Don't expect to pay the same price for a Heineken in Columbia as you did in Montreal. Alcohol, unlike food, is usually disinfected. So drink and be merry! ... Responsibly of course!

So feel free to explore! (Safely of course)

8. Souvenir’s Schmivenirs!

Another way to save some cash, avoid tourist traps and cashing on Souvenir’s. If you feel like you really do need to buy something for that special person in your life, then go local. You will be paying the same price as that shiny shot glass with Tahiti written all over it but instead getting a hand crafted piece and supporting the island economy.

Most people don’t know this, but most resorts, hotels, cruises, barely contribute to the local economy as much as you’d think. Yes, a few people are employed and may be getting tips and gratuities that help their family. But consider the entire population of the area, not everyone can work at hotels. The more you stray outside and spend, the more you are supporting their economy and helping a family in need.

Regardless, it’s your vacation and you enjoy it the way you feel comfortable!

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