Traveling comes with a lot of benefits and it is essential for everyone to experience different areas of the world to broaden their perspective and to create memories that will last them a lifetime. For college students who have limited funds to work with, it is all about being proactive and creative when it comes time to plan your next adventure. Follow these tips to save money while preparing for your next big trip!
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Saving Ahead of Time
Since the school year is quickly approaching, it is important to plan out your time-off. Whether you are planning to take a solo vacation or travel with a group of friends, it’s important to have a timeframe in mind Depending on the location, it is encouraged to estimate a price point of how much your flight ticket may be and create a budget that allows you to save bits of cash little by little until it is time to purchase your flight. This helps minimize the stress and anxiety that comes with making a large purchase.
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Research Affordable Flights
Before you push “complete purchase” on your flight ticket, make sure you have done enough research. Take the time to look every day and at various times throughout the day to see the frequency of price increases and decreases. You should note that the time of year you are will have an impact on the price of your flight. For example, springtime tickets tend to be rather high as spring break is an extremely popular travel time. The earlier you book, the better.
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Pack Lightly
Make sure that when it comes down to packing for your trip that you limit yourself to clothing and items you absolutely need. Many airlines will allow you one free carry on or checked bag. A carry-on is ideal because you do not have to worry about checking in your luggage and going through the hassle of waiting in line after your flight. Just be sure to purchase travel size bottles so you are able to keep them in your carry-on luggage.
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Hostel VS Hotel
In many cases, the most expensive part of a trip is securing a place to stay throughout the duration of your trip. Let’s face it, hotels can be pretty pricey. A great alternative is staying at a hostel. There are many great hostels to stay at that offer the same amenities you will receive at a hotel. The only difference between the two is instead of having your own private space in many cases you may have to share a room with someone else or shared bathrooms. Consider it a vacation dorm, if you will!
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Limit Experiences
When traveling to a place, there is an immediate overwhelming feeling that comes over you because you want to do everything you possibly can and make your money stretch as much as possible. A quick pro-tip is to make a list of 3-4 things you absolutely want to see and create a budget around those 3-4 things. The rest of your trip should consist of sightseeing and free attractions.