Summer’s knocking at the door, and the window of opportunity for saving for a vacation is getting smaller. Here are seven ways you can still save money to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience this summer.
1. Budget Better
If you don’t already have your summer vacation in your budget, scoot everything over until you find room for it. Moving money from your dining-out expenses for a few months to ensure you have enough for a plane ticket is not only doable, but it’s necessary if you want to have a good vacation.
2. Research Prices as Often as You Can
Okay, you have much less time to research prices than you’d like. But that doesn’t mean you can’t set your price alerts and check into the prices every day now that it’s on your mind. It’s wise to check on prices as early as possible, but fortunately, there are many opportunities to save money with last-minute price slashes, too.
3. Look Into Package Deals
Sometimes, booking your flight and hotel together can save you a pretty penny. And while this isn’t outright saving money for your vacation, you can use the money you save by buying the two together for something more exciting on your trip. You can also do this for experiences and events. Look into websites like Groupon that offer entire days of guided experiences to help you make the most of a new city.
4. Sign Up for Travel Credit Cards
This isn’t the most sage advice for those who want to be frugal and save for a summer vacation. Still, if you’re interested in signing up for a new credit and getting ready to go on a trip, there’s merit in signing up for a travel credit card that nets you more points. Many credit cards also have sign-up bonuses, making them even more attractive to the last-minute planner.
5. Consider Currency Exchange Before You Go
If you plan to go overseas, planning for your currency exchange now can help prevent you from shelling out extra for last-minute exchanges. This is another reason to look into travel credit cards; they simplify spending in a different country without worrying about the hassle of currency exchange.
6. Go Really Last-Minute
You’re already a little behind on your summer vacation planning, so why not lean into it? Waiting until a few days before might seem like an insane choice, but if you want to save, this could be a risky gambit that actually pays off. Both flights and hotels can be significantly cheaper if you book later rather than sooner.
7. Sell Your Stuff
We’re all hanging on to too much stuff while simultaneously being more interested in having more experiences. If this sounds like you and you aren’t sure how you’ll make enough for your summer vacation, now’s the time to plan to sell some of your belongings. It’s an excellent way to nab some last-minute spending money for a vacation while also taking advantage of one of the beautiful aspects of summer: rummage sales!
