Can’t stand the thought of sitting in traffic for one more minute? Or have you gotten so burnt out at work that it has become hard to get out of bed in the morning? If so, join the ranks of others who desperately need a little time away. There are literally millions of people who would gladly escape if only they could afford it. Conventional wisdom dictates that travel is expensive and time consuming, but is conventional wisdom really right? It may come as a surprise, but cheap holidays and cheap holiday deals are not hard to find.
Holidays are not just special calendar listings. They can be celebrated for any reason and at any time you desire. If the meaning of a particular day is special for you, then that can be your “away” time. The absolute cheapest vacations, of course, are spent at home or at the backyard barbecue, and require no travel. Some people prefer camping, but the great outdoors is not for everyone. The most common perception of a cheap holiday is one that is relatively close, affordable, and fun.
Even when you are not overtly planning a trip, a little low-key advance preparation can help the pocketbook when the time comes. The most important thing is the realization that it costs money to travel, no matter where you are going. Don’t just assume you will use credit cards to finance the trip, because the inevitable bills have a nasty habit of arriving shortly after the holiday fun has evaporated, and can quickly erase any left-over good will.
Some have called this the age of lowered financial expectations. Just because the economy has taken a nosedive, however, doesn’t mean you still can’t save a little. It takes a conscious decision to put away money for the future, and it is important to make a pact with yourself not to borrow from those funds, even when it seems like a good idea. Left alone, that money will grow more quickly than thought possible.
When planning for the getaway fund do small things like making your own coffee instead of buying it. Work a few overtime shifts if possible. Have movie night at home instead of spending a fortune on popcorn at the concession stand. Go through the mess in the attic and have a garage sale, or sell some items on eBay. Don’t go crazy with overly expensive Christmas or birthday gifts. Small change saved here and there adds up quickly if no one pilfers the piggy bank.
Then, when the time comes to get out of town, there is slightly more financial breathing room. The next task is choosing a destination that will not only truly give a healthy change of scene, but won’t send you to debtor’s prison either. The conventional wisdom is to book early. Booking early traditionally insures that you will get all the discounts and travel features you want. Booking late, however, is also a penny-saver in many instances, because airlines and hotels don’t want unfilled seats or rooms.
Consider going in an off-season. Winter travelers flock to places like the Mediterranean or Hawaii because everyone wants to soak up the sun after weeks of cold. Resist the temptation to join them, and book in the spring or fall when fewer people are making the same trip. When you arrive, supplement your food budget by skipping restaurants part of the time. This doesn’t mean skipping meals. Most places have a nearby supermarket or corner store selling sandwich supplies and other easily transported food, perfect for taking on side trips. Have a “hands off” policy when it comes to the hotel mini-fridge or bar, because those little items are very pricey.
These small ways of saving money will add up, but the biggest savings will be in ticket costs. The easiest and most efficient way to discover cheap holidays and cheap holiday deals is on the Internet, where you will find side-by-side price comparisons of all flights and even package deals. Do a search for cheap holiday deals and you will be deluged with hundreds of offers. You can book one yourself, using a credit card. With this resource at your fingertips, there is no reason to pay full price, and you should be able to find the best holiday getaway for your money.
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