As part of my 2023 goals, I’m eager to embark on more adventures and explore new destinations. This year, I’ve got three trips lined up – one to visit my sister in Traverse City, Michigan, another to take my girls to a video conference in Los Angeles, and a special trip that culminates with three unforgettable days in the city that holds a special place in my heart: New York.
With these trips coming with a hefty price tag, especially considering I’ll be traveling with a group, it’s crucial that I plan each journey with frugality in mind to make the most of my budget.
Frugal Travel Tips
Wants versus Needs
As I navigate the added expense of frequent travel, I’ve found myself scrutinizing my daily habits to maintain a sense of normalcy. This has led me to reassess my spending habits. One area that’s proven particularly challenging is dining out with my family. To mitigate this, I’ve prioritized whipping up quick and nutritious meals at home, as well as packing some essentials for nights when we’re attending multiple events.
Meanwhile, I’m advising others to take a similar approach – review your budget, identify areas where you can cut back, and reallocate those funds towards fueling your travel ambitions.
Check Out the Fly or Drive Calculator
When planning a trip, whether it’s by air or land, there’s a valuable resource at Be Frugal that encourages you to document each step of the journey. From parking garage arrangements at airports to booking hotel rooms along the route, this process helps you consider every detail. Interestingly, I’ve discovered that for my family group – comprising three or four people – driving is often more cost-effective than flying, even for longer distances like Dallas to New York City.
This insight has led me to reevaluate our transportation options and explore ways to make road trips more economical.
Gas Buddy Really is Your Buddy
One fantastic resource is GasBuddy. This website lets you enter your starting point and ending destination, then finds the most affordable fuel prices along your route to keep you well-stocked for the journey. You can also input details about your vehicle, and GasBuddy will provide a comprehensive breakdown of your total trip expenses, including how much you’ll spend at each stop.
For instance, my trip from an hour south of Dallas to New York City with overnight stops in Nashville and Raphine, Virginia, is expected to cost around $170. The website even offers insights into the cost per fill-up, providing valuable planning information.
Create a Budget and Stick to It
My greatest challenge lies in translating my enthusiasm for budgeting into consistent action. While I take pleasure in setting financial goals and tracking progress, the actual implementation is where I tend to falter. Specifically, I find myself consistently struggling with food expenses, which seem to eat away at my carefully crafted budget. Despite this, I’m committed to making a change and starting anew today, so let’s see how it plays out.
Set Money Aside Each Pay Check
One of my accomplishments has been striking a balance between my full-time job and part-time side hustle. When I receive payment from the latter, I prioritize it by allocating $14 towards paying off debt and $10 into savings. This leaves me with around $90 to use as I see fit. In the coming three weeks, however, I’m increasing my savings contribution to $50 in preparation for a bigger budget for an upcoming trip to New York.
The crucial point is to be flexible and adapt your approach based on your individual goals and needs. Don’t restrict yourself too much if you know there are specific things you want or require; instead, focus on developing a budget that works for you.
Rethink Your Drink
As an avid coffee enthusiast and someone who runs a coffeeshop with my students, I’ve noticed that Americans spend a significant amount on coffee each year. In fact, I’m sitting on a Starbucks reward right now! To put it simply, spending money upfront can lead to long-term savings. Take home espresso machines, for instance.
While the best models on the market may seem pricey at first (with prices ranging from $600 to $300 for used ones), the daily cost of using one comes out to be surprisingly low when you factor in its lifespan. Assuming an average daily usage and a three-year period, the total cost of owning such a machine comes out to around 41 cents per day. Now, let’s consider the cost of producing a single cup of coffee at my shop – $0.30 for milk, sugar, and espresso itself, plus an additional $0.
05 for a disposable cup when bought in bulk. Comparing these figures, you’d be paying around $5 for an espresso-based drink that costs our company just $0.76 to make! If you’re interested in learning more about espresso machines, I recommend checking out our previous post on the topic. Similarly, investing in a reusable water bottle instead of buying single-use packs at the grocery store can also lead to long-term savings. For a great reusable water bottle option, head over to this link.
Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions
One of my biggest accomplishments this month was making intentional decisions about my spending habits. I prioritized what’s truly important to me and cut back on non-essential expenses. For instance, I chose to keep Netflix since we’re not currently paying for cable and occasionally use it at school. Similarly, Amazon Prime remained a staple because I frequently shop there and value the free shipping perks.
In contrast, I cancelled Apple Music due to our lack of song uploads justifying the cost, and with unlimited data, I can utilize free alternatives like Pandora. Additionally, I temporarily suspended Audible services since I had unused credits and felt it was an opportunity to re-evaluate my spending habits. By making these adjustments, I’ve saved around twenty-five dollars a month between the two subscriptions.
When crafting your own budget, remember to thoughtfully consider what you can and cannot compromise on. The key is to feel confident in your decisions while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
Money Drop
Last summer, I discovered Acorns, an app that invests your spare change. Inspired by this concept, I explored Bank of America’s offerings to see if they had a similar program. To my delight, they did! I invested $5 to open a savings account and subsequently opted for their spare-change deposit feature.
Surround Yourself with Reminders
While some may think creating a vision board is an activity reserved for the young, Jen Sincero’s words from her book ‘You Are a Badass’ might just change their minds. She likens it to having a ‘craft day with God’, which sounds like an absolute blast! As someone who has committed to creating their own vision board, I must admit that I haven’t yet followed through on my promise to do so this week. However, I’ve found other ways to surround myself with reminders of my goals.
For instance, the background picture on my phone is a nostalgic reminder of a special trip I took with my family to the M&M store in Times Square when my daughter was just four years old. This memory holds immense sentimental value for me as it’s the one thing she still recalls fondly to this day. Every time I glance at my phone, the image transports me back to that moment and fills me with excitement.
Similarly, you can find ways to make your goals a constant reminder by placing a special symbol or image on your computer background, bulletin board, or even a designated command center in your home. The key is to place it somewhere that will catch your eye regularly, sparking inspiration and motivation within you.
Do Your Research for Hotels
When searching for affordable hotel rooms, there are numerous options to consider beyond the conventional hotel booking platforms. My mother swears by Hotel. com’s Secret Price deal, which offers competitive pricing without revealing the specific hotel until after payment. Although this approach may not appeal to everyone, it has yielded satisfactory results for her, with nightly rates as low as fifty dollars. For a more curated experience, exploring different options can be rewarding.
Hostels, often associated with younger travelers, are worth considering regardless of age. On my second visit to NYC, I stayed at Pod 51, a hostel that offered private rooms with shared bathrooms, mimicking the traditional hotel experience. Similarly, websites like Couch Surfing allow travelers to stay with hosts for free, albeit requiring participation in events before gaining access.
While couchsurfing may not be suitable for everyone, it can be an enriching and cost-effective way to experience new destinations.
Travel in the Slightly Off Season
I’m excitedly planning a trip to New York City, but my biggest adventure this year will be exploring Costa Rica with my best friend and mother. We’re looking forward to surfing, visiting a coffee farm, and ziplining through the jungle together. To make our trip more affordable and align it with my teaching schedule, we’ve decided to visit during the ‘off-season’.
This means that prices for accommodations and activities will be significantly lower than during peak season, which typically sees higher costs and larger crowds. The only difference is that the rainforest will be lush and green, while the beaches might be dry. I consider this a great compromise! To ensure we get the most out of our trip, it’s crucial to do thorough research. This will help us understand what to expect and make informed decisions about our itinerary.
Do Your Research
When planning a trip, research is key – I should know! As the self-proclaimed travel planning queen of my household, I always take the time to write down all the things I want to do. And let me tell you, when I don’t plan ahead, we often find ourselves stuck and feeling frustrated. Case in point: our recent NYC trip number two, where food planning was sadly lacking. As a result, I didn’t get to enjoy my meals out of necessity rather than pleasure.
Needless to say, I’m determined to do better next time and have a couple of trusty resources up my sleeve. Firstly, Trip Advisor will be my go-to source for insider advice from regular people who’ve been there done that. And secondly, I’ll be tapping into the expertise of friends who call NYC home or have spent time exploring its culinary delights – just to name-drop a few coffee and foodie spots. If you’re lucky enough to have your own network of locals-turned-guru, then you’re all set!
But if not, fear not, as Trip Advisor has got you covered. I’d recommend downloading their app for on-the-go access, making it easy to find the best eats in town.
Go Somewhere that is Budget Friendly
According to Buzzfeed’s findings, travelers can find affordable yet stunning accommodations without breaking the bank. One such destination is Croatia, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking scenery at an unbeatable price of around $20 per night. Additionally, there are several options within the United States for those looking to stay close to home. This discovery serves as a reminder that doing thorough research is key to uncovering hidden gems and making the most of one’s travel budget.
Concluding Frugal Travel Tips
As avid travelers, we’re always on the lookout for ways to make our wanderlust a reality. For those of us who are meticulous about saving up for adventures, this article aims to provide valuable insights and personal anecdotes from my own travel experiences. I’m excited to share what’s worked well for me and where I’ve stumbled, in the hopes that it will spark a conversation with fellow travelers. Feel free to add your own stories and tips in the comments section – let’s explore together!
