Spending Less to Travel Well
From Arthur Frommer to Anthony Bourdain, experts agree that you don’t have to go broke to have a one of a kind experience while traveling. In my travels, the best adventures and stories have developed as a result of staying within my means, often spending no less on a fun filled day overseas than I would at home.
One way to save is to live less like a tourist and more like a local. Whether it is buying lunch from a grocery store in Paris or watching a fútbol game in an Irish pub, the true joys of traveling come from experiencing day-to-day life, first hand, in another place.
Other Key Tips for an Inexpensive, High Quality Travel Experience:
- Lodging: I suggest staying in hostels or boarding with a local family. You are likely to get a better picture of a foreign land by experiencing it with the people who live there. Additionally, these unique lodging options are often key resources for great low budget travel tips in the area.
- Souvenirs: Making souvenirs such as a travel or photo diary can be a vibrant alternative to picking up another plastic snow globe. Consider creating an even more off beat souvenir. During one trip my family kept the wrappers and labels from food and beverages to scrapbook when we got home.
- Transportation: Utilize public transportation or rent a bike. These are not only cost effective travel methods, but also better for the planet. It’s also a great way to experience life as locals do.
- Packing: Only pack one bag, and plan to do laundry if you need to. You’ll save money on checked bag fees, and if you run out of toiletries or need another piece of clothing, you can always buy something while traveling.
Amara Dumlao is a Reviewer, Writer, Designer and Marketing Consultant. A graduate of the Eller College of Business Management at the University of Arizona and a former Banker, Amara combines global business savvy with creative real world financial applications.
A regular community volunteer, DIY enthusiast, social networking guru, and avid traveler, Amara believes in applying the wisdom of the past with the technology of the future to create a fulfilling balanced life.
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