Vacations have fast become precious. In today’s work environment, stress seems to affect every occupation. High-stress occupations used to be associated with working in emergency rooms, stock market trading floors, law offices, and finance. Now it has become ubiquitous.
Occupations from store clerks to secretaries are required to work faster with less support. Ramp up periods has all but disappeared. Businesses need employees who can hit the ground running. Reductions in staff mean many workers must perform two jobs. Are you curious how to generate extra income? Check out Rusty Tweed Economics.
On top of that, the days of one parent staying home with the little ones have long past. Add the fact that many occupations require answering cell phones, texts, and emails in off hours and people find less and less time to relax. Commuting, of course, adds to stress levels.
With all of this ceaseless activity, it’s no wonder that 80 percent of workers report experiencing chronic stress. Vacations provide the cure. They allow people to recharge and reset. By changing the scenery, they provide a fresh perspective. Even more importantly, they allow families to connect with their loved ones in ways the hectic pace of modern life makes difficult.
It’s easy to see why vacations have become a necessity. But who wants to add to their stress by worrying about how to pay for them? For those on a budget, here’s some great news. By following these five tips, you can save a bundle on your next vacation.
Flash Sales
Want to save big on a vacation package? Trip Savvy suggests flash sales from the United States Travel Association (USTA). These sales apply to any vacation type, including family fun, adventure trips, and romantic getaways. More than 20 of America’s biggest travel companies have partnered with USTA to bring customers discounts of up to 50 percent. Whatever your destination, and whether you’re looking for a cruise or a safari, check out USTA flash sales.
Consider the Time of Year
Between school spring breaks and Memorial Day is a great time to travel. Expect hotels, airlines, and car-rental companies to offer low rates and many specials. Once summer hits, the travel season is on, and prices go through the roof. The same applies to January and February. That’s a great time to visit Florida or California.
Off-season travel pays. It seems odd to think of going to a warm climate in the summer, but for those willing to think outside of the box, it can be an enjoyable experience. For example, Arizona may be hot in the summer, but, if you plan to stay in the mountains instead of the low elevations, you’ll find the weather very agreeable.
How about visiting a water park in the winter? Many vacation destinations offer indoor water parks that can be great fun. For example, the Wisconsin Dells has multiple indoor water parks with gigantic attractions. During the Midwest winter, The Dells hotels are never full, and great deals are easy to come by.
Shoulder Season
The shoulder season is the time between peak- and off-peak tourist season, as explained in Time. Crowds tend to be thin, and plenty of deals will abound. For example, at Walt Disney World, shoulder season is May and September. At these times, the kids are still in school or have just started back to school. Without the crowds, you can see a week’s worth of attractions during a four-day weekend.
Eat In
Nowadays, there are many accommodations available that cost far less than a pricey or even a cheap hotel. Airbnb provides more than just a lower nightly rate. Staying at an Airbnb also makes it easier to prepare meals at “home,” cutting down on one of the biggest costs in traveling: eating out. In major cities, Airbnb may be the only way to find affordable accommodations, especially if you are traveling with a large family. Other benefits, such as free off-street parking, can also save you a bundle.
For large families, renting a whole house can be an option. There are many online resources for house rentals. These function like Airbnb but focus on single-family homes.
Embrace Mother Nature
Nature lovers can vacation for the very low cost in the state- and national park campgrounds. If traveling with younger children, it’s easy to find developed campgrounds with indoor toilet and shower facilities. More adventurous people can save more by staying in rustic and walk-back campsites. Those willing to camp in national forest backcountry areas can stay, depending on the location, for a small permit fee or no charge at all.
Regardless of how well you budget for your next vacation, you’ll still need a healthy vacation fund. After all, you can’t get around transportation, meals, and admission fees. A savings plan is vital to making your vacation dreams a reality. Your vacation budget should be part of your overall plan for financial strength. For ideas on how to build a lifelong financial plan, visit the Rusty Tweed information page.
Vacations have become a vital necessity. To spend time with family and decompress, vacations are the best option. In today’s economy, it can be tough to budget for a family vacation; however, with a little research and flexibility, it’s easy to plan an affordable vacation.
If you are you interested in investing in the Los Angeles-area real estate, visit here for information provided by Rusty Tweed.