Let’s get real. I’m young. I make less in a month than most people make in one week. How in the world am I able to travel??
Step 1: Establish priorities
I always travel with my fantastic boyfriend, Juan. We explicitly state exactly what we want to focus on during our trip whether that is sight seeing, wine tasting, or trying new food. Once we agree on one thing, we cut corners with everything else. For example, we took a trip to Puerto Rico in the spring of 2018 (BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE just in case you were wondering how the trip was). We decided that our #1 priority was sight seeing. For that reason, we cooked breakfast in our AirBNB, ate calzones from scary taco trucks, and packed sandwiches with us for trips to the city. Our focus (for once) was not the food, so we cut that cost every single time we had the opportunity! Plus, the cheap local places sometimes have the best food anyway!!
Step 2: Buy plane tickets early.
If you’re flying, do NOT wait until the last minute to buy your ticket. If you’re planning last minute, maybe a road trip is your best bet if the prices have already skyrocketed. If you type your destination into Google, it will give you a list of flights from different airlines including their prices ranked from lowest to highest, with the lowest price highlighted in green. Use that tool to find awesome deals on flights! It will also show you how the prices change depending on the dates. If you’re flexible, it may suggest you alter your trip by a day or two and it could end up saving you big bucks! One time, Juan and I pulled up Google Flights and looked at flights across the entire world to find the cheapest flight to a desirable destination. If you’re spontaneous and just looking for a good time, that’s a fun option!
Step 3: Don’t forget about AirBNB
Some of the most amazing places we have stayed have been in AirBNBs. In Puerto Rico, there were not many hotels and the hotels available were very pricey. We ended up finding an AirBNB for $75/night. The condo was incredibly clean, modern, and practical. It could not have been more perfect for our trip and it was half the price of a hotel!! There are some areas where AirBNBs are not the best option due to lack of availability or prices, but don’t forget to at least do a little research and see if this is the best option for your trip. Not to mention that if you’re having a big family/friend gathering, you can find enormous homes perfect for hosting at a reasonable price!
Step 4: GROUPON GROUPON GROUPON!
All of my friends who are reading Step 4 are probably laughing already but Groupon is a staple. There are fantastic deals on restaurants, wine tastings, brewery tours, and even hotels. In California we went to SeaLegs Wine Bar for their delicious brunch. It was essentially $50 worth of food/drinks for $25. So we woke up early, got dressed up, and got a little tipsy at the cutest restaurant ever before we started our day in Cali. It ended up being $35 with tip for a check that should have been $60. That’s what I call free money. Bottom line, take the extra three minutes to check Groupon before booking hotels, making reservations at a restaurant, or even going out for a few beers. You’d be surprised what kind of steals you will find!
Step 4: **MOST IMPORTANT STEP** Find a compatible travel partner (even if it’s not your significant other)
I don’t care if you spent $100 on a trip or $10,000,000 on a trip, if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t have the same “travel style” as you, you’re going to be miserable. Some people, the excited travelers, like to wake up early and conquer the world for hours without a break (like my wonderful godmother!). Other travelers, the relaxed travelers, like to wake up slowly with a cup of coffee before starting their day (like Juan and I). Make sure you travel with someone who wants the same things out of the trip that you do. If you don’t, the excited traveler will feel unfulfilled while the relaxed traveler feels rushed. If your spouse, partner, or best friend is not a good travel partner, branch out until you find another friend that you would like to see the world with! That is how you make the most out of a trip, especially if you are on a budget.
Safe travels, my friends.
XOXO,
Kay
For your reference:
•Google Flights: https://www.google.com/flights
•Our amazing AirBNB hosted by Luis: https://abnb.me/6vhIaPDJ3O
•SeaLegs Wine Bar: http://www.sealegswinebar.com/
