1. Choose the right transportation method: If you take your car, don’t forget to take car insurance before you travel. It can be really helpful if you happen to be unlucky. You never know what can happen while you’re abroad! If you take the train, remember to book early and be aware of discounts train companies might offer. If you take flights, book early as well and be careful not to overload your luggage, otherwise you will have to pay fees if you happen to travel with low-cost companies.
2. Prioritize your destination choices by price, and don’t accept what the travel agency is offering you first! Their offers might sound attractive, but take the time to look into the details. You might find some nasty surprises!
3. If comfort is not one of your highest priorities, backpacker’s hostels or camping can be a cheap alternative to hotels. This will give you the opportunity not only to save money but also to be more flexible and to meet new people!
4. If you really want to save money, avoid booking organized tours – even though they seem cheap and you don’t need to organize your holiday, they might turn out to be boring and expensive. In fact, it’s often cheaper to organize your holiday by yourself, and you will have the freedom to decide what you want to do.
5. Budgeting is the key if you don’t want to come home and don’t have a penny in your bank account. While you’re on a holiday, you might easily forget how much you’re spending on drinks, food, and little shopping tours. Try to organize your budget before you travel and set yourself a limit. I’m sure you will enjoy that cocktail when you know you can afford it, but you will regret that little summer dress you bought once you’re back if it wasn’t in your budget.
6. Finally, don’t forget to take a travel insurance, which you can find on LV life insurance for instance. It will help you save a lot of money if something happens while you’re on your journey!
This is paid content. Interested in an ad? Read my blog advertising page.
My tip was a lot bigger than this! Credit: Dauella manera/Flickr
It’s amazing what two twenties will do. When I arrived at LAX last week, I had no intention of lugging seven heavy boxes through the airport by myself to the regular check-in counter. Instead, I stuffed my fist with cash and walked up to the Sky Cap counter, which had a line 40-some people deep.
Two nights before a reader named Eileen had shared a valuable but expensive lesson on luggage. “My Mother taught me this,” Eileen said. “If you ever need help at the airport, put a fifty dollar bill in your raised hand and ask if anyone can help. Someone will find you.”
Eileen was right. With $40 in my left hand, I approached the Sky Cap counter.
“I have seven boxes to check. Is it okay if I put them right here while I wait in line?”
Two junior Sky Caps conferred and decided it would be okay to tuck my bags off to the side so I wouldn’t have to inch them forward as I waited in line. I think they saw my twenties.
I put my cash back in my pocket and began unloading boxes from my friend’s car. A senior Sky Cap came over while I was dropped off box No. 3 and I double checked that it was okay to stockpile my boxes while waiting in line. It was.
When I dropped off the last box he was waiting for me. Had he seen my twenties? I’m pretty sure.
“How many are you flying with?”
“Just me.”
“We’re going to have to charge you for those extra bags, unfortunately.”
“That’s fine. I did the math and Southwest is the cheapest.”
The senior Sky Cap asked for my full name and suggested I step down two counters so he could check me in. What? No line?
He DEFINITELY saw my twenties. Because he offered to let me cut, I didn’t protest.
I checked in and was free of my burdensome bags within 10 minutes. I paid $250 for my seven pieces of luggage (the first two bags are free on Southwest and each bag after that up to 10 bags is $50). Not a single bag was weighed – at least that I saw. Bags over 50 pounds are $100 and one of my pieces was awfully heavy. Did my big tip save me an overweight baggage fee? I’ll never know.
I jumped into the security line and wondered if big spenders regularly experienced the ease and comfort I had. My $40 saved me time, reduced my stress, and got me out of the mid-day heat.
I rarely sympathize with big spenders – I have been known to scoff at overt displays of wealth – but after my $40 worked wonders at the airport I have a new perspective. Spending money, and not just saving it, can bring peace of mind. So if a Sky Cap at my destination airport happens to notice my fresh twenties and offers to lug my seven boxes across baggage claim? Well, I’m going to smile and say thank you.
What was your most worthwhile splurge?
Thanks for the tip, Eileen!
