Category: Travel and Vacations

Vacations are expensive. Let’s face it.

How are you supposed to take an enjoyable vacation when you’re pinching every penny in your everyday life? There’s gas, plane tickets, daily excursions, food, and more. When you tally up the costs, even a camping excursion can rack up a large sum.

But the vacation you want to take could be the experience of a lifetime. If you have a family, you want to do your best to create valuable memories that will last. If you’re a solo-traveler planning to backpack Europe, it’s likely that you’re aching for that trip and are just seeking for a way to make it happen.

Here’s the thing: it’s entirely possible to inch away towards the sum you need to have an excellent vacation. Read on, and you’ll find out a few key ways to save money and put it away towards a vacation.

How to Save for a Vacation

1. Where are You Blowing Your Money?

It’s understandable to splurge a little on things like coffee and snacks whenever you stop for gas. We all have those little guilty pleasures that we shouldn’t be spending money one, but is that where you want your money to go?

If you add up the cost of your weekly spending on non-essentials, you’re likely to find that you’re spending a lot more than you had previously thought. Things like soda, treats, movie tickets, and the like are all things that be eliminated.

If you dedicate yourself to a year without, say, drinking soda, you’ll be able to save maybe a thousand dollars alone on that front. Not to mention, you’ll be a lot lighter for that hike through the Andes!

The most important thing you can do to save money for your vacation is cut out non-essential spending, and set aside the money you would use whenever you have a hankering for that bag of Doritos, or can of soda.

2. Garage Sale

It can be difficult to start saving when your vacation fund is meager. It’s a lot easier to set money aside when you can see the result of your frugality. A great way to get your savings started is by having a garage sale.

Gather up all of the stuff you don’t need- old clothes, microwaves, knick-knacks, whatever. Often times you can get rid of a lot of clutter while making a couple hundred dollars to tuck away for your trip.

A lot of times neighborhoods will have community garage sale days. These are great because everyone knows that there will be a sale, giving you a lot of traffic that you would otherwise miss out on. If you don’t have a community garage sale day, you can always advertise on Facebook a few days in advance to get the word out.

3. Pawn Shops

Pawn shops are often a place that your parents tell you never to enter. They rouse images of people selling their priceless items just to have money for gas or cigarettes. This is definitely not the case, and you can get some value out of the things that you couldn’t otherwise get rid of on Craigslist or similar sites.

Know that you won’t get the full value for your items. Resort to pawn shops only if you know that you’re not going to be able to sell your items to anyone else. Additionally, if you’re not having luck selling online and your trip is coming near, pawn shops are a great way to get that last little cushion that you need.

4. Get a Side Job

There are a lot of employers that are just looking for part-time work. If you already have a full-time job and you need a little extra cash, consider finding something that only requires you to work one or two days a week.

There are plenty of part-time gigs on Craigslist or Indeed, and you won’t be tied down to a commitment that you aren’t able to come through for. Another thing to consider is working for a delivery service, or taking online surveys.

You will find a lot of little side-gigs online if you do a little research.

5. Get a Separate Savings Account

It’s really easy to dip into your vacation fund when you need new tires or your old bicycle needs a tune-up. If you’re not in dire need of money, do your best to find out how to get the money you need in other ways.

Your vacation will never happen if you keep pulling money from your savings. An easy way to avoid this trouble is to create a separate account to save your vacation money in.

You can set limits on withdrawals, having a way to keep your money safe from yourself. If your wallet gets too tight you can always use the money for something you need, but if your goal is to go on a vacation try to discipline yourself and save what you want to save.

6. Seek out Deals

There are a lot of sites online that send email blasts with travel deals. Whether you need to take a survey or subscribe to a website, you may find a lot of discounts online.

Additionally, keep an eye out for plane tickets far in advance. You’ll often find the best deals if you’re thinking ahead and planning your trip a few months out. In fact, if you buy the tickets early, you’ll be more inclined to save that money and dedicate yourself to planning your trip.

Use the Resources at Your Disposal

There are so many great ways to find deals on vacations available online. Do some research and make sure to fine-tune your trip to your preferences and your family’s needs.

If you’re having difficulty finding extra money to set aside for your vacation, take advice from other people who have done it. Often times it takes that friend or individual online who has a special trick or trip. Be sure to look around online for advice on travel or budgeted living.

Do you dream of watching wild giraffes stroll across the savanna? Would you love to see a pride of lions lounging in the shade or a stampede of migrating wildebeest?

Let’s face it: Most African safari packages are not cheap. So regardless of what your heart yearns for, your bank account might be holding you back.

If this sounds like you, don’t despair. The truth is that you can take an affordable African safari–you just have to know how to budget and where to look.

In this post, we’ll give you some expert tips on planning an African safari that won’t break the bank. Read on!

1. Choose the Right Destination

The best places to take a cheap safari are countries that are easily accessible and offer a lot of options.

You may dream of a safari in Tanzania or Kenya, but these areas are known for luxury accommodations and high park entrance fees. Many reserves in Botswana and Zambia are very remote and can only be accessed by private plane–which means bigs bucks for you.

For an affordable African safari, consider South Africa, Zimbabwe, or Namibia. These countries are much more accessible to the budget traveler while still offering excellent reserves.

2. Book Through a Local Operator

Major international tour companies may have flashy websites, but don’t be fooled. You’ll almost always get a better deal–and better experience–by going local.

Locally based safari operators offer local guides and better safari deals than the big-name companies. You may even be lucky enough to snag a great last-minute deal on your dream safari.

Cape Town-based companies such as African Budget Safaris offer terrific packages at very reasonable prices.

3. Travel During the Off-Season

Another helpful hint when planning an African safari? Book your visit during the off-season.

Although this usually coincides with the rainy season, it’s unlikely to rain all day, every day. Instead, you’ll enjoy far fewer crowds and better chances of seeing newborn babies and migrating birds.

Best of all, prices drop significantly during the off-season. If you want to take a cheap safari, this is the time of year to do it.

4. Save on Accommodation

A huge portion of most African safari packages is the accommodation. While five-star lodges and gourmet chefs certainly sound appealing, they can make a serious dent in your savings account.

To save money, select a budget option for accommodation. A 2- or 3-star hotel will still be very comfortable at a fraction of the price of its five-star counterparts.

Looking to save even further? Pick up some camping gear and take advantage of the cheap campsites scattered around most major game reserves. It’s also possible to rent a 4WD vehicle with a rooftop tent and all necessary supplies.

Why pay for a luxury hotel when you can sleep beneath the stars in the open savanna?

Book Your Affordable African Safari Today

So, what are you waiting for? Now that you know how to find an affordable African safari, all that’s left to do is pack!

Feeling inspired? Looking for more helpful tips on where and how to travel frugally?

Check out our latest travel posts for more information.

Looking for an inexpensive way to give you and your family a break from everyday life?

Look around, North America has 417 state parks waiting for you to explore. Visiting a cool park can change your child’s life by exposing them to the wonders of our country.

Taking the family on a trip to the country’s stunning national parks would make for a cheap summer vacation.

Not sure which cool park is right for your family trip? We’ve listed up five family-friendly parks in America. Add them all to your bucket list and start planning your next family trip today.

1. Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most-visited national park in 2017 with over 11 million visitors. Visit the Great Smoky Mountains for waterfalls, swimming holes, and horseback rides.

The parents can kick back and relax at Deep Creek. This gorgeous site has creeks and waterfalls. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a local vendor offering tubing packages and rentals.

2. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon National Park is just that–Grand! If you’ve only seen it in photos, it’s about time you see its glory in person.

Go for a drive along Desert View Drive, where a 25-mile cruise will offer unforgettable views. Stop along the way at one of the picnic areas for a sweet picnic with your family.

Don’t let planning the details keep you from visiting one of these beloved parks. Experience Park Tours can help you plan your next trip.

3. Yosemite National Park

The Yosemite National Park goes the extra mile to accommodate families. They have a Family Adventure experience that starts at $7.50 per participant.

This activity tasks families to navigate three miles of trails in the park with a hand-held GPS. Your family will uncover history and stories (you may even find some secret treasures).

Even if you don’t take part in the adventure, the gushing waterfalls and iconic valleys will be more than enough.

4. Redwood National Park

The trees of Redwood National Park stand as the tallest in the world!

Taking a stroll through the Redwoods will remind your kids of a page from a storybook with the mossy, tall trees. They’ll probably get a kick out of driving underneath the Chandelier Tree!

Many families make a stop to this park during the two-hour round trip from Berry Glenn to Fern Canyon. Fern Canyon offers a small creek for kids to splash around in and a lovely view of fern varieties.

5. Great Sand Dunes

The Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is a kid favorite.

This national park is home to North America’s highest sand dunes–reaching up to 750 feet.

If you visit in early summer, you will see Medano Creek running through the main access area. Children build sand sculptures and play along the creek before heading to the dunes.

If you plan on visiting during the Summer, beware of scorching temperatures. Surface sand temperatures can rise to 140?F on summer days.

Take plenty of water and wear tennis shoes to protect your feet from burning sands.

Cool Park Trips for the Family

These national parks can be tons of fun while offering some of the country’s natural beauty.

If you can carve out time for your family to enjoy the fine scenery of a national park, you won’t regret it.

Plan a trip to one (or all) of these amazing national parks with your family soon. Do these fun summer activities with your kids, too!

So, you’ve booked your next vacation and you’re pretty eager for the day to come. While you’re incredibly excited, you know you’ve also picked a destination where you’re more likely to get pickpocketed.

Safety is your primary concern, of course, but let’s be honest — you also want a travel bag that helps you to look stylish.

So, how can you look ultra-chic while on vacation while also ensuring that you’re not a target for thieves?

You’ll need to read this post to find out.

In it, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the best types of travel bags that will prevent thieves from going after you.

1. Go For A Wristlet Or Clutch

One of the best travel bag options for those who are concerned about being pickpocketed while on vacation?

In general, the less you’re able to carry, the better.

First of all, going with a smaller option makes you less attractive to thieves. They likely won’t consider you because they don’t think you’re carrying much more than a little bit of cash and a credit card that you can cancel in a few minutes. When you’re rocking a wristlet or a clutch, there really isn’t too much for the expensive electronics that so often attract criminals.

Plus, a wristlet allows you to get a great grip on your bag. Thieves will know that they’ll have a difficult time quickly unzipping it without you noticing, or even ripping it out of your hands.

The same goes for a clutch bag.

Because you’re able to hold the purse completely closed, with your hand over the flap?

Thieves will move on to the bigger fish that they can fry.

Plus, clutches and wristlets have small bag bottoms — meaning that they’ll be next to impossible for pickpockets to slash through.

So, when you’re getting ready to leave your hotel, think about the essentials that you really need for the day. Always make an effort to leave behind everything you can to avoid becoming a target for pickpockets and other dangerous criminals.

2. Try A Fanny Pack

It’s official: fanny packs aren’t just an amazing and pickpocket-proof travel bag option: they’re also seriously back in fashion.

So, if you’re looking for a bag that combines both form and function, look no further than an ultra-sleek fanny pack.

But what makes them so effective at stopping pickpockets?

First of all, any bag that you can wear in front you automatically makes you far less likely to be robbed. You’ll be able to see where your bag is at all times — and whether or not someone is trying to get their hands inside of it.

Plus, especially if you’re planning on taking public transit throughout the course of your travels? It will be pretty difficult for a thief to quickly slip your cash or credit card out of a fanny pack. Instead, they’ll gravitate towards those with shoulder or tote bags.

Finally, fanny packs usually have zipper enclosures in the front of them, which are an awesome way to deter pesky thieves. Plus, the sound of the zipper being opened will certainly tip you off if you suspect something is going wrong!

Looking for the perfect fanny pack? If so, then be sure to check out the Fanatique website for a list of the top snygg midjev?ska i skinn bag trends.

3. Wear A Pull-Close Backpack

Especially if you’re going to be gone for a long journey, or need to carry heavier objects in your purse?

We understand that sometimes, you just need to use a backpack as your travel bag.

The good news?

There are backpack options that are not only pickpocket-proof but also won’t force you to wear them in front of your body — a dead giveaway that you’re a tourist.

So, which model should you go for?

Look for a drawstring/pull-close backpack, which works to keep your bag sealed completely shut. Thieves won’t be able to reach their hands down inside of your bag, because the straps you’re wearing on your shoulders will always keep it closed.

Plus, these bags are usually made of lightweight canvas. This means that, not only will they be effective at preventing theft, they’re also incredibly comfortable!

4. Purchase A Cross Body With A Lock

The final anti-theft travel bag on our list?

If you need to wear a cross body or even a shoulder purse, look for one that comes complete with a lock or, at the very least, a snap or buckle enclosure.

As with the other bags on this list, anything with a lock will first and foremost act as a deterrent against thieves. If your bag isn’t easy to access or open, then you likely won’t become a target.

Plus, a lock helps to make sure that your items don’t fall out while you’re on vacation.

You can even turn the key into a stylish necklace, which will compliment your outfit and ensure that you never misplace it!

Need More Travel Bag Advice?

We hope that this post has helped you to understand which kinds of bags pickpockets and thieves are the most likely to avoid.

Invest in a purse with a lock, a pull-close bag, a fanny pack, or just a smaller wristlet or clutch.

Above all, be sure that you keep your wits about you when you’re in an unfamiliar location.

Looking for more advice about how to save money on suitcases and travel purses? Want to know how you can save on hotels and food while you’re on vacation?

We’ve got you covered.

Check out our website and blog to get access to unbelievable deals and giveaways — so your vacation fund can grow faster than ever.

What’s not to love about taking a Caribbean vacation? You get to take off work, explore a new area, and not have a worry in the world.

Of course, like anything else, a vacation costs money. So how do you save?

The easiest way is to look online for the best Caribbean vacation deals. Once the costs go down, whip out that credit card and book it! It’s easy, and we’re here to show you some quick tips on how you can do it!

Pick the Right Island

Airfare is going to be the most expensive part of the trip, so pick wisely. JetBlue offers low fares to Nassua, Montego Bay, and Barbados, while Spirit offers trips to Aruba and San Juan.

Southwest goes everywhere, but do they offer the lowest fares?

Maybe not. Keep checking airfare calendars to see when the lowest rates are and plan accordingly.

Have you ever been to Aruba? St. Lucia? Barbados? The opportunities are endless.

Consider going on the Galapagos Islands tours. With all that extra money you’ll save on cheap airfare, why not book another tour You won’t regret it!

Ask for Suggestions

Has any of your family or close friends ever been to the Caribbean? Where did they go?

Ask them how they went about planning the trip. They may have some extremely helpful suggestions that you’ve never even thought of!

How did they check for freebies or any kind of package deals? Ask them and find out how!

Book at the Right Time of Year

Of course, the busiest time to travel to the Caribbean is during the winter. Everyone is trying to get away from the cold and celebrate Christmas in their shorts.

Also, keep in mind of spring breakers. If you can handle the hotter weather and hurricane season, it is best to book over the summer and up until the fall.

Consider a Cruise

Did you know that 43% of people went to the Caribbean on a cruise?

The best part about a cruise are the accommodations, transportation, and all-inclusive meals. Some cruises even go to multiple islands! All you have to do is find the nearest port and book.

The Caribbean Vacation Deals Are out There

It’s all about knowing what you want to do. Consider staying at an all-inclusive resort if you want to be surrounded by the beach and pools.

Weigh out the pros and cons of a resort versus a hotel. Is it kid-friendly? Are meals included? Are there activities on the property for guests?

Rent a Villa or Guesthouse

The cost of people eating out has increased at a rate of 2.7%. The best thing to do is rent a guesthouse or a hotel with a kitchenette so you can cook your own meals.

Evaluate your meal plan and consider eating where the locals do. Eating at usual tourist stops will easily rack up your expenses.

How We Can Help

Sometimes it’s not easy to plan a Caribbean vacation, especially if you’ve never been there.

Are you still not sure about which island to pick? We can help you find the best Caribbean vacation deals!

We’ve got information on how you and your family can all pitch in to help each other plan the tropical vacation of your dreams.