Hey everyone, my name is Liz and I blog over at Sunshine and Shandy about travel, finance, and general lifestyle tips as a recent graduate. Today I am fortunate enough to be here on Jessa’s blog with some tips for saving money while traveling!
1. Go to the Supermarket!
The number one way to save money while traveling is to cut back on eating out! Every town or city has a supermarket, so swing by and grab some lunch meats, bread, milk, and cereal. Even just cutting out one meal a day for a week trip can save you over $100! It also helps to grab some easy snacks like granola bars to prevent you from grabbing things like ice cream or other treats that can add up as well.2. Meet Up with Family or Friends.
Even if you’re not staying with family or friends, it’s always a great idea to at least plan to meet up with them at some point during a stay in their city. If you stop by their home it can give you a great place to use the bathroom and grab a drink of water, and you can always get advice on some cheap or free places to hit up in town. Locals always seem to know about the best places to visit on a budget.
3. Stop Buying Souvenirs.
Your mother does not need yet another keychain. Your sibling doesn’t want that mug. Stop buying stupid overpriced souvenirs. At most, send them a post card.4. Use Cheap Transportation.
My personal favorite mode of cheap transportation is Megabus. They run to most major cities in my area, and the buses are always clean in my experience. Yes, my bus has been over an hour late before, but to get from New York to Delaware for $10 is worth some lesser service in my opinion. Gas and tolls to go the same distance in my car would cost over $40. And I can’t nap when I’m driving. As a bonus, you can check luggage for no extra fee. A warning though: the busses are freezing, so bring a sweater.5. Use Student/Senior Discounts.
Even if you’ve graduated recently, use your student ID card everywhere! You’d be shocked how great student and senior discounts can be, especially at places like museums. I always ask if there’s a student discount when I go places, it can never hurt. And I’ve never had someone try to verify whether or not I’ve graduated. Although I’ve clearly never used a senior discount, the prices are always fantastic so if you’re eligible, use them!
6. Take Time to Enjoy the City.
One of my favorite things to do in new cities is just walk around! This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but personally, I love just getting to see the sights and people watch in cities when I visit for the first time. I love walking through stores without buying anything and just getting a good feel for the place. And the best part is, it’s totally free.I hope that this helps some of you save money on your next trip! Even if you have the money to spend, it’s always nice to know that you’re making the most of what you have. Let me know how you save money while traveling, and make sure to check out my blog, twitter, and Instagram for more posts like this!
