Have you ever taken a trip and spent more than you planned? Traveling can be expensive but it doesn’t have to break you. Here are some helpful tips to make your travels relaxing and cost-effective.

Plan ahead. 

Whether you are traveling with family, a big group, or by yourself, it’s important to make sure your transportation is in order. When you’re flying, buying plane tickets early can save you money. The time and day of the week can also play a role in how much you pay. Flights at the beginning of the week, such as a Monday or Tuesday, may also be less expensive than flying on weekend days. Depending on how much traveling or sight-seeing you plan to do once you reach your destination, you can plan to get a rental car, or use ride sharing apps such as Uber or Lyft. Additionally, if you are in a city with free public transportation, utilizing that will cut down on your overall transportation costs.

Bring your own food and beverages.

Buying these can add up quick no matter whether you’re flying or driving. Bringing small snacks and your own water bottles you can refill during your travels will help you avoid overspending at airports, hotels, and tourist stops.

Once you arrive at your destination, buy groceries for certain meals instead of dining out. For example, try purchasing cereal for breakfast, and bread and lunch meats to make sandwiches for lunch. Then, you can enjoy a night out for dinner without straining your budget.

Budget with a dedicated account.

One way to help plan an affordable trip is to open use AlumniFi’s digital savings folder and have one that is solely dedicated to that trip. If you are able to plan for how much you will spend, having a dedicated savings like this can help prevent overspending. To make it more focused and fun, you can label this something like “Family Vacation” or “Trip to Florida.”