Fave Cost Savers for Travel!

Hey Gal! Happy Monday!

As I write this, I'm at the airport headed to Charleston. I really get the travel bug come this time of year and CRAVE trips but my wallet sure doesn't so I put together some simple ways to travel without allowing it to burn a hole in your savings:)

My Fave Cost Saving Ways to Travel 

LITTLE THINGS = BIG THINGS: The little things add up. You might think 'Oh this trip is only X but by the time you book ubers, airport snacks etc…that stuff adds up! 

I do this: 

A) Ask a family member to drop me at airport + pick me up. Usually saves anywhere from $40-$80 total. 

B) Prep healthy snacks for airport + bring a waterbottle. If I'm going to indulge, it's going to be on my actual trip. Don't waste dumb money at the airport + we all know that food is NOT worth it. Airports have purified fill-up stations for water too. 

C) Fur babies. If you have a pet, see if a friend will petsit and swap a favor for them! Petsitting usually costs me $35-$50 per day and that adds up!

D) Ditch a checked bag and just do a carry-on. These airlines are getting wild with their fees. I can usually pack EVERYTHING I need into a carry-on by coordinating all outfits with the same colors + seeing if my stay has a washer + dryer to reduce amount of outfits.

POINTS After some research and checking out “The Points Guy," I ended up getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. It got me some free flights and other perks I use for travel. See which one is best for you but I love this one!

YOUR VENUE I'm more of an airbnb gal than a hotel person BUT there's pros and cons to both. I like airbnb because I book spots that have a full kitchen and I immediately get groceries when I check-in to reduce eating out. I'm on a trip to have fun and splurge a bit but I try to only do ONE meal out a day at most. If it's a far drive to the grocery store, I use instacart. 

Mentioned above, I also book spots with a washer/dryer. IF I do a hotel, I always ask if I can get a mini fridge at the very least for minimal groceries. 

DITCH THE UNNECESSARY + PREP I go to the library prior to each trip to check out books/magazines vs buying them at airport. I pack all the mini stuff vs buying it on site like shampoo etc. I don't get caught up in the moment in buying that sweatshirt that has the name of where I am or special mug I'll never use. I don't like “stuff” or clutter so resist temptation unless you KNOW it's something you really want. I also don't go shopping for special outfits for trips. I use what I already have. Months before I travel, I watch my spending a tad more and make coffee at home vs Starbucks run and all the other unnecessary spending. 

All of the above might seem minimal but it's allowed me to be able to travel fairly often while still investing my money each year, building up my savings and staying out of debt!

Enjoy!