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Traveling can be one of the most difficult things to do when you’re trying to pinch your pennies. From airfare to gas and lodging, the expenses can pile up at a breakneck pace if you don’t plan accordingly. The following are a few Frugal-approved tips to save you cash on your next planned excursion.
1. Book Ahead
Whether you’re purchasing plane tickets or booking a hotel room, the best course of action is always to do it well in advance of your scheduled departure. Booking your accommodations at the last minute is a guaranteed way to spend hundreds of dollars more on your trip than what is necessary. Plan your trip out the right way, book in advance, and save your money.
2. Leave the SUV at home
It may seem like a good idea to take your large vehicle on the road trip because of all the extra room and comfort that it provides, but those gas-guzzling behemoths will leave your wallet looking a bit malnourished. Depending on how far you’re going, taking the Accord or Camry instead of the Hummer will cut the long term fuel costs of your trip by hundreds of dollars.
3. Pack food for the trip
Let’s face it. Restaurants are expensive. Stopping for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a family of four during a road trip can cost you up to and in excess of a hundred dollars a day. Packing your food in a cooler for the trip will noticeably lower the amount you’re spending, and if you’re eating it during the drive, will also greatly decrease the amount of time it takes you to reach your final destination. Win, win!
I hope these tips have been helpful, adventurers! As always, please take a look at the comments for even more incredible ways to save your greenbacks on your trip–and to add your own!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
i always use the receipts at restaurants that have the customer
call in for a discount.
like panda express
and el pollo loco
etc.
Sometimes it’s easy to miss those. Good reminder!
I get free shampoo and conditioner at my salon if i complete a survey;/
and i always get the combos like
pizza and b. rolls and drink
instead of just one slice for the same price.
We do pack our food in a cooler for a road trip, and I agree that eating while we’re driving will get us to our destination sooner. But our vacation starts when we leave the driveway, not when we get to our destination, so rather than eating while driving, we eat our meals out of the cooler at rest areas, parks, national monuments, and other roadside attractions. This gives the driver a needed break and allows us to enjoy a relaxing meal while taking in the sights along the way.
Hi Tealdee,
That’s a great idea to make the most of every moment of your vacation. It make the trip more pleasant when you’re not so focused on getting somewhere that you miss the adventures along the way.
yeah i’m noticing there are several cities that have no flights, even if there are airports.
like all of wyoming!
driving is the only way to get around now.
For some of the places we go, you’d spend as much time driving to and from the airport as you would to just drive in the first place!
i remember getting a great deal for a flight to dc’s dulles instead of national.
to get back in town the great deal evened out!
ooo and the cost for the rentals at the airports are as much as the cars are worth themselves!
‘k i’m exaggerating…but you know.
We are planning a road trip to MT (over 1500 miles away) in Aug. We will be pulling a camper, bring our own food for most of our meals. but setting a daily spending limit will help us keep our spending low. We will be traveling with people who have done this trip before and know where the cheap camping sites are. We have saved and set aside the money already for this trip.
Cool!! Have a fun, safe and frugal trip!
i wish home is that inexpensive
Its cheaper to camp then it is to get a hotel.
True!