What’s your dream vacation? Laying on a beach somewhere sipping margaritas? A week looking at art in a museum in France? Hitting the slopes? If your checkbook is the only thing stopping you, then I have good news for you. There are ways to travel even car payments, entry-level salary, student loans or whatever else is bogging you down.
Groupon
I love Groupon! Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Select the city, the adventure and watch the deals load. Discounted hotels, massages, you name it, there is probably a Groupon deal for it. Want to go to the country and take horseback riding lessons? There’s a Groupon for that. I got an amazing deal at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas on Groupon!
Day Trips
I’ve lived in Texas my whole life and constantly find new places and things to try. Google things to do near your city and you may be surprised what you find. Pack up your car (or hell buy a bus ticket), grab your best friend and go check out something new. Cross the city limits, get out of town for a few hours and let your mind hit reset.
Split the ticket
Often companies give group rates. So try to set up group vacations and look for group packages. This one is as simple as it sounds. The more the merrier. The more the cheaper.
Staycation
What’s a staycation? Taking some time off from work and major responsibilities but not leaving town. If done properly a staycation can be the reboot you need. Take a few days off and make plans with friends you hardly see, take your significant other lunch, rent your favorite movies, book a massage at a local massage school (because the staff is in training, messages are often as much as 50% off) buy the ingredients to make your favorite dishes or see what free activities your local community center has. If you plan a few days of fun out of the office you will feel refreshed.
House sit
Have enough money for a ticket but not for a hotel? Sites like Mindmyhouse.com allow users and homeowners to connect. Homeowners from all over the world use tools like this. Typically free for both parties.
Compromise
Between passport fees, flight, hotel, food and spending money, a weeklong vacation to Hawaii may not seem possible until the year 2040, but what’s to stop you from some fun in the sun right now? Yes, your dream trip may be a ways away, but what about renting a room at a B&B near the lake and enjoying some tubing? Can’t fly to the Louvre… Have you been to the museum downtown?
I grew up in a southern and sassy family who incorporated “turn of phrases” into most conversations. Two of my mom’s favorites:
“It will work if you work it.”
“Fake it till you make it.”
I’m not saying scratch these amazing place off your bucket list, but while you save up for them don’t sit at home sulking. Go make some adventures in the mean time!
Cherie
Agree on a lot of these. I’ve never used Groupon, but I’ve heard it can really help save money.
Day trips are great. My town doesn’t have a lot to do, but there’s a lot to do within like 1-2 hours of here so it’s not hard to drive somewhere close by to spend the day. We have a cute lake about 30 miles away that’s super cheap and fun.
Splitting the prices of things always helps also. Two of my friends and I are going on a short vacation later this month. We’re going to stay at a hotel on the beach and it was super affordable since we’re splitting it 3 ways.
Good tips!
Dia
Have fun at the beach I’m jealous!
Yeah, Groupon is great! Just make to read about any restrictions before you buy. My friends and I got a great deal on a winery bus tour about 1 hour out of town and had a blast! It was so great because they plan everything, they shuttled us to 3 different wineries and it included 2 free glasses, a reusable shopping bag, and the tastings fee at all three places. Perfect day trip to get out of town and try something new
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[…] I know that a dream vacation may seem like an unattainable goal, but if you don’t have money for a flight you can still take a break from work without breaking the bank. For tips on how to vacation on a low budget, check out my article: How to take a vacation when funds are low. […]
Bethany Everett
Groupon is probably the only reason I have any bit of a social life! These other tips are pretty neat, I’ll have to plan a staycation soon.
Becky @ Disney in your Day
Great tips. I love day trips – I don’t live in a big city but there are still so many things to see and do around here within a couple of hours!
Emily
These are great tips! What a great reminder that it is important and possible to still vacation when funds are low… I’m a huge fan of staycations!
Dia
I feel like some of the best (and least expensive) adventures I’ve had are just getting out of town down the road.
Dia
Hahah I never would of had a massage without Groupon lol
Deborah @ Kentucky to Cali
We live is SoCal, so funds are always low! LOL! Thanks for the tips.
Rebecca
I need a staycation! 😉 Great list, especially the suggestion for Groupon. While everyone knows about it, many people don’t think to search a vacation destination for deals.
Dia
Right! It’s amazing what you can find.
Julie @ Girl on the Move
Love the idea of checking Groupon for deals when you are vacationing…I need to do that more often!
Lauren
Fake it until you make it has been my mantra through many a difficult time. These tips are great. We have three little kids, and they have had a blast with one night hotel stays in nearby cities. We wait until there is a good deal and “jet off” in the family car. You would think we had taken them to Rome! You have a lot of good ideas – I have to keep a better eye on Groupon!
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