[USER]

What are your best frugal trip planning tips/strategies?
(Anon so I’m not bombarded by inbox messages)
– Did you pay things off before you went?

– Is buying gift cards ahead of time helpful?

– Did you barter with businesses (I am a business owner and could trade services)

My planning is for Florida. We will do Disney one of the days but also want to do other things, too.

Thanks!

[Sue]

I have done overtime and saved for 4 years for my upcoming trip. Everything has been prepaid.

I even have a prepaid credit card for meals that aren’t covered and any extras.

[Aurora]

Traveling during the weekday (instead of weekends), traveling off season, buying souveneirs ahead of time (for example Mickey Mouse ears off Amazon), drink only water, sandwiches and snacks from “home”

[Christina]

Don’t ever go on vacation if you haven’t already paid for it. Don’t take out a loan to go on vacation.

[Annie]

Yes, yes, no (I have nothing barter-able)
In 2019 we went to Disney. I bought Disney gift cards at Target (5% off) and combined them online.

Each character meal, photo pass, etc was on a card and labeled.

Tickets and hotel were paid in full before we went.

So much less stressful knowing it was already paid for!

[Sara]

If you are going to Disney, take empty water bottles and sandwiches with you.

The food there is good, and very expensive.

[Brenda]

Keep a vacation envelope and add a budgeted amount of money to it every week.

[Bronner]

Seek out free and inexpensive activities. We love “free” walking tours and have done them in three different continents.

Find out what the locals do for fun. Or normal things for them that might be fun for you.

As we all know, anything targeting tourists costs more, so think like a local. What parks, gardens or beaches do they like to visit?

Will there be any festivals or free concerts or events while you’re there? Make sure to learn all about public transportation in the city you’re visiting.

Depending on the layout of the city, they may have ferries, double decker buses or even cable cars as part of their network, which will cost you no more than a ride on the bus or metro.

Many cities have hop-on-hop-off buses for tourists, which we have tried and don’t like, both because of the steep prices and because they often come less often and the routes are more roundabout than the local public transportation options.

Decide what you are willing to compromise on. Let’s say you do want to travel to an expensive destination, do an expensive activity, or travel at peak times.

Great! Go for it, but consider which aspects you are willing to compromise on to bring costs down.

[Author]

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