- Guest Contributor
- July 23, 2021
Are you getting ready to go on a budget-friendly road trip? Travel can be affordable if you plan ahead, shop around and take precautions to avoid spending too much money. Regardless of where you’re going, you can save money by using these smart travel tips.
1. Plan Ahead
Last minute travel tends to be expensive, because hotels fill up, and what’s left is often expensive. Planning ahead gives you time to shop around, pick your locations based on cost, and save money. If possible, plan your road trip at least one month in advance. If you are planning a trip at the last minute, plan to go somewhere less popular with tourists, so you’ll have less competition for accommodations.
2. Leave the Pets At Home
Pets can be costly to bring on trips. Hotels that allow guests to bring their pets often charge more for the rooms. Bringing your pets will also make it hard to find a place to eat, if you have to bring your pet with you to the restaurant. Fewer restaurant choices may mean more expensive meals. Find someone to watch your pet or pets when you’re on your road trip.
3. Bring Snacks
Bring snacks for your road trip to avoid big restaurant bills. Low-cost food items like granola bars and dried fruit can help keep you satiated between meals, so you’re less likely to spend a lot of money on big entrees when you’re at a restaurant.
4. Share Costs
Bring friends with you on your trip to share costs. Whether you’re sharing the cost of gas or a rental car, sharing the cost of your hotel room or just sharing the cost of your snacks, bringing a friend (or several friends) on your road trip can alleviate some of the financial pressure while you travel.
5. Take Your Work With You
Are you a freelancer? Bring your work with you to avoid income loss while you’re on your budget-friendly road trip. Even if you’re just doing a fraction of the work while you’re gone, you’ll help offset costs while you’re on the road. You can also look for gigs while you’re on the move. Check out your Jobble app as you travel to see if you’re near short-term work for a chance to earn while you travel.
About the Author: Kathryn Elwell grew up in the Midwest. She has experience in management and human resources, and has been writing on these topics and more for 12 years.
