When most people go on vacation, they are interested in having a good time. Saving money is a secondary concern – although not willing to spend ridiculously large amounts of money, these people are willing to shell out a little more for a particularly memorable attraction or an eagerly awaited event. However, there are some extremely frugal people in the world who are more interested in saving money than getting to do everything they want. Very frugal people plan their trip itineraries around the price of things, not how fun they are.
If you’re one of those people who just can’t travel and have a good time because you’re still agonising over the five bucks you just spent, here are five money saving tips just for you. Some of these ideas may be a bit over the top, but if you’re determined to put every last penny in your budget to good use then go for it!
1. Don’t eat out at restaurants or order room service
It is much cheaper to bring your own food or to only purchase food from the supermarket. This doesn’t mean you have to restrict yourself to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches though – if the place you’re staying at has a fridge, you can buy perishable items like meat and cheese so you have plenty of choices when it comes to lunch.
2. Stay in a cheap motel
If you don’t mind staying on the outskirts of town in a hole in the wall, check out the really low cost motels. These motels may not have cable TV, air conditioning or fresh towels, but the price will satisfy really frugal travellers. But if that’s still too much money, you can take the drastic step of sleeping in your car. Be careful where you park because sleeping in your car is often frowned upon by police, and can be very dangerous in the wrong side of town.
3. Never buy bottled water!
It’s ridiculous to pay for something you can get for free at any water fountain or tap. Tourist attractions tend to jack up the prices of bottled water, often doubling or tripling what it would cost to buy one in a supermarket. Just bring your own water bottle from home and keep refilling it.
4. Use public transport
Instead of renting a car, rely upon public transportation. Buses can be a hassle, but they’re definitely cheaper than paying for both gas and a rental. If you’re more of a sporty type, try bicycling around town or even walking if the place you are going is close enough. You can find great deals on car rentals (see below) but if you’re trying to keep your trip really cheap, then try public transit on your next vacation.
5. Use coupons or a student card
If you search hard enough, you’ll probably be able to find free events and attractions. At the very least, there are usually plenty of places that offer coupons and discounts for museums, amusement parks, and historical sites. If you’ve got an ISIC or any other student card, bring it along — most places will allow you to purchase entry tickets at a considerably lower rate (and even get you in for free).
This article was contributed by the cheap rental car website Car Rental Express and writer Ryan Embly.
How do you spend less while travelling? We’d love to hear YOUR ideas. Share them with us in the comments.
Image by Michael Newman, Brian Butko, Ruth L, Fabrizio Lonzini, MissMessie, Kevin Jaako
