Planning an Inexpensive Vacation

Tired of your hometown and a monotonous routine? If you need a change of scenery, it doesn't have to cost a lot. Planning an inexpensive vacation isn't as difficult as you think; with a little ingenuity, you can enjoy an awesome getaway on a small budget and get the R&R you've been longing for!

Vacationing on a Budget

Your quest for relaxation doesn't have to be a bank-drainer. The following are some tips for enjoying a vacation without overspending:

• Go during the off season. If you have a popular destination in mind for your getaway, go at a time of year when the tourist traffic is low. You'll find that hotels and just about everything else are much less expensive.
• Book smart. When you purchase your plane tickets, buying them a few months in advance can be a big cost saver. Contrarily, booking your flight a week or two before your departure will generally cost much more. Shop around on different sites and with different airlines to find the best rates. The more flexible your travel date and time, the better prices you will find. Also, putting up with a short layover during your flight can mean significant cost savings. A really creative traveler can even expand their vacation by turning a multi-day layover into an opportunity to explore a new city.
• Destination adjacent. If you're traveling to a popular destination city, booking accommodations in a nearby town can save you a lot of money. You can still drive into the big city and enjoy the sites and sounds you're craving—then head back to your much-less-expensive hotel in the next burg when the day is done.
• Consider a daycation or staycation. If you're really strapped for cash, you might consider traveling to destinations that are within a day's drive of your own city. Like Dorothy said, “There's no place like home.” With the money you'll save on airfares and other long-distance travel expenses, you could relax in a nice B&B or spa that's within driving distance of your home. Another popular option these days is skipping the trip altogether and using your time and money to explore your hometown. Book a high-style hotel room in your own city and hit some of the local hotspots and restaurants you've been meaning to try.
• Creative financing. Beef up your vacation cash with some outside-the-box options. For instance, remember that gift card your aunt gave you for Christmas—the one for a restaurant you don't like? Turn it in for some quick cash and walk away with the money in hand. Or there's that ugly gold necklace your grandmother gave you for your birthday—real gold, it's true, but much too gaudy to actually be worn. Exchange it for cash!