Adra Writes

I don’t know about you guys, but I am already scheming for my next travel adventure as soon as things are clear and safe for us all. I hope you are too! Here I want to discuss 5 ways to save money during our next holiday.

Buying ‘new’ things for a trip 

We have all been there. We have a trip coming up, and you suddenly need a new bathing suit, new walking shoes, dresses, travel-sized toiletries, maybe even a suitcase. So we run out and spend hundreds of dollars on this stuff we “need” before we go. I challenge this idea. We don’t need to go out and buy a vacation wardrobe, travel-sized toiletries are a total scam, and buying a new suitcase is not necessary. You probably won’t use the neck pillow but once or twice either. 

As far as clothes go, I don’t think a person needs so many for a trip. Most of us probably wear the same things day after day anyways. That’s not going to change on a trip. Washing machines are also found all over the world. I frequently have my clothes laundered if taking a longer vacation, and it’s cheap. 

Spend money on plane tickets, not shampoo and conditioner. These are the items that nickel and dime us and eat into our travel budgets before we even arrive. We all have half-empty toiletry bottles in our bathrooms. Fill them up with your regular shampoo and call it a day. I think it is also safe to say that we all have at least 2 tubes of travel toothpaste floating around a drawer. Those things last a long time, friends. I lived 6 weeks with travel-sized toothpaste (twice a day, every day) before it ran out. 

As for other more travel-specific items such as luggage, backpacks, or the little neck pillow, I suggest borrowing these items. If you don’t go places so often (maybe once a year) or maybe you don’t have the budget to go out and buy now, then borrow from friends/family. I borrowed suitcases for years before investing in a decent suitcase set (just last year actually), and I got them on sale. 

Hostel v. Hotel v. Airbnb 

This is always a difficult decision (for myself) to make. There are so many options these days for lodging and accommodation, and prices are all over the spectrum. Ultimately it depends on a few things to make this decision. 

Hostel

Are you okay with sharing spaces? Are you on a tight budget? Do you like meeting new people? If your answers were yes, then a hostel might be the place for you. I personally love hostels because they are so cheap. I have stayed for as low as 8USD a night. I think some people also don’t realize that most hostels have private rooms available for slightly higher prices than the dorms. So that’s an option if you want a little more privacy. However, they are all different, so read the reviews and try to get a feel of what kind of hostel it is from other guests. You might find yourself lying awake listening to other people vomit after a party night if you aren’t careful. 

Airbnb 

Do you have a large group of people? Do you like cooking with local ingredients on vacation? Do you want a super unique and local experience? Maybe Airbnb is your answer! I have stayed in a few Airbnbs in the States and also in China. My advice is to check the location. Maps are deceiving, and just because it is “near” a subway line doesn’t mean it is convenient to where you want to explore. Pictures are not always accurate! I once booked an “apartment” stay in Shanghai, and it was a hole in the wall the size of a shoebox. We ended up leaving early because it was so terrible. Airbnb very much depends on the location and what is available. I would check it out for a trip, but don’t “plan” on an Airbnb unless it is a rare find. 

Hotels

Last is the always reliable hotel option. So many choices ranging from luxury, affordable, budget, or maybe a really good online deal. I like staying in locally owned hotels because the caretakers are usually very attentive and helpful, and the rooms are nice and clean. Generally, they are very affordable. I think a good hotel is hard to beat if you want privacy, affordability, convenience, cleanliness, etc… If you are overwhelmed by the first two options, just find a good hotel in your price range and have some peace of mind. 

Organized v. DIY tours 

If you are the kind of person who researches your destination and studies maps, and loves to go out and explore, then DIY all the way. However, if you don’t want to do the extra work and would rather have a guide to show you around and give interesting facts along the way, then go through a company. I took this option traveling around Europe. I can’t say it was great because the groups were so large, but I also never would have visited the beautiful castles and excursions had I not. Of course, this is a pricier option depending on the company or deal you get.

The best of both worlds is an Airbnb experience! I love them and have had so many amazing experiences, such as visiting a dilapidated portion of The Great Wall of China with my mother, and only one other person on the whole section. I had a very experienced guide take me the back way up a volcano in Bali for a super private sunrise viewing away from all swarms of other tourists. I think this is a great option for someone who wants a guide or even just a translator to help find the hidden gems of a city/country. My favorite reason for this is you are giving your money to real locals and you are stimulating the economy on the ground level. We should be more intentional about how our dollars impact the country we visit, and this is a great way to do so. 

Stop buying souvenirs 

Souvenirs to take home to friends, family, or even for yourself are a waste of money for the most part. More often than not, they sit in a closet or drawer and serve no purpose. If it is something truly unique such as a piece of art that you want to have framed or a locally crafted product, then I think it is worth it. However, in most cases, the little trinkets and mass-produced clothing are a waste of your money. Save it for another vacation instead. 

Some fun souvenir ideas

Post Cards

I personally like to send postcards to all my friends and family from the actual destination. I think it is a fun souvenir that is cost-effective and people can put it on their fridge or even have it framed for the beautiful picture on the front. It’s also very personalized, and let’s the people you love most know that you think of them no matter where you are.

Currency 

Another great idea is to save the currency from wherever you go and make it into a collection. I had a friend do this for each country he visited and then he had all of it framed. I think this is another cool and unique way to showcase your travels and have an interesting conversation piece hanging on your wall. 

Magnets are still cool 

My last and only souvenirs I buy for myself are magnets. I do like to keep a little magnet collection on my fridge. Magnets are fun and easy ways to take home a little reminder of your travels, and they greet you every time you need some milk. 

T.N. magnet: I even like to have a reminder of my homeplace with me : )

Street food is better anyways

Food is usually the third or second most expensive category for a trip behind tickets or accommodation. One way to save money on food is to book a hotel or lodging that provides a free breakfast. Another way is to ask the hotel for a list of local restaurants near you. If they are decent, they should also list the price range to give you a clear idea of how much money you might spend. I personally love street food and going to the markets and snacking away. It’s a fun and adventurous way to try new foods and interact with local vendors (see me eating grilled squid on a skewer below). Every trip I try to have a nicer, more expensive meal, but I always budget for that so there are no surprises. 

One thing that will eat away your money is drinking. One night out, even in the cheapest country or city, will start to add up. Be aware of how much you are drinking. If you can, try to stick to more local alcohols or beers to keep costs down if you are on a budget. Otherwise, just be honest with yourself and budget for drinking. And as usual, look up local alcohol of your destination because they may have an adverse effect on foreigners. For example, drinking homemade rice wine will hit you a different way than even the strongest tequila or whiskey. And yes, I am speaking from personal experience.  

I hope you found some interesting tips for a budget-friendly vacation. Let me know what tips and tricks you use to save money while traveling. 

Also, check out my other posts for saving money:

10 Ways to Save Money on Flights

6 Lifestyle Habits to Save Money for Your Next Vacation