#1 Frugal Vacation Tip: Don’t go on vacation unless you actually want to.
I’m a stay-at-home type girl and most of the time I’d be much happier here playing with my projects than away on vacation. I do like visiting relatives, and Europe is pretty fun. But in most circumstances, I’d be going on vacation because of convention—that’s what people do. Know yourself and save money on this. (Obviously it helps to have a family with the same opinion.)
#2 Frugal Vacation Trip: Pack things that can be easily washed and dried.
I’m talking sink/tub here. Hotel laundromats can be very expensive and you may not want to seek out one in the area (even if there is one). Jeans can go for a while without washing (if you haven’t been getting all muddy), so bring shirts you can easily wash and hang to dry in your hotel room. Saves you the stress of a laundromat and also means you don’t have to pack a separate shirt for every day of the week.
Why the frugal vacation tips?
Small Cents (now Almost Frugal is going on vacation and she’s decided to celebrate by giving away her two copies of the Tightwad Gazette, parts 1 and 2. I admire her ability to part with them, but I’m also excited about the chance to win my own (used) copy of one of them.
If you’d like one too, just head over to the giveaway page and leave a frugal vacationing tip! Or if you have your own blog, post about it (but comment with the link because Blogger doesn’t accept trackbacks). The winner will be chosen randomly be someone other than her. And it’ll be done while she’s in the States, so she can mail the book to anyone on this continent. But Europeans don’t despair, if you win you’ll just have to wait until she gets back for your copy.
Deadline is March 31st.
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We’re heading to Yellowstone National Park during the first week of July and plan to spend the 4th at Mt Rushmore. We’re driving and have already saved the gas money. Hotels are paid for using the points I accumulate from so much business travel. Our only expenses will be eating out and souvenirs. One good thing is that all the hotels offer free breakfasts and they have bread, peanut butter, and jam. We will also get free lunches!
Hi Mrs M – thanks for the tips. I love vacations, but I have to admit that I usually do a bit of work while I’m there.
I am going to New York in the Summer and trying to find a reasonably low cost place outside the city to visit while we are there is not easy.
@ Ron – Lucky you. I hope to go to Yellowstone one year. It is just so far from the UK!
Laundry: if you have friends and relatives you can visit somewhere during the trip you can almost always get the laundry done…
doesn’t mean you have to stay with them, unless you want to, but most people are happy to help. and of course, you can always repay the favor when they visit your area!
it’s also often cheaper to rent a small suite or self-catering apartment if you are going to be in an area for a while, so that you can cook some of your own meals. Most of the major chains have some kind of facility like that. or you can often find them on the internet. Also true for trips to Europe. for example, you can find rentals flats in central Paris or London and many other cities. Nice to be able to come back and put your feet up, too. for example, you can rent a fully-furnished 27 sq meter flat, LR, kit, bath for 585 Euros per week at this site http://www.parisattitude.com/apartment-selection.asp
it’s one of many…no endorsement intended. but the price is pretty unbeatable
many cities also have some kind of city card which gives you significant discounts on transport, museum entrances, amusements of various kinds, and even certain restaurants.
europeancitycards.com will find them if you’re travelling to Europe, but NYC has a similar system…and others…
look for local restaurants…little ones where there are lots of people and the menu is affordable…read the menus when you’re out for a stroll in the afternoon and then book your table for the evening. if you can eat an early dinner it often is less expensive as many restaurants have special deals for the earlier hours. (we never do this because we like to eat later, but i know it works…)
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