College Student’s Guide to Travel on a Budget
The sun is shining and vacation season is right around the corner! All your friends seem to have plans and you desperately want to join them or make plans for yourself. Why can’t you? Don’t let that dwindling college student bank account deter you from joining in on the fun. Reward yourself after working so hard this cold and dark winter – you deserve it!
Keep a Budget
Before you book any flights or buy a new outfit, take a peek at your bank account. Take an inventory of what you have to work with and dedicate a set amount to your vacation. Stick to it – if anything look for small ways to increase this amount rather than take away. Maybe a professor needs help with lawn work or the family down the street needs a new babysitter. First and foremost, implement a strict budget so whenever that Starbucks drink sounds tempting, you are reminded of the wonderful vacation you are about to have.
Chef it Up
Oftentimes most of the money spent on vacation is from eating out. Although I am not discouraging treating yourself to the local cuisine or a delicious sweet dessert on a night on the town, however be mindful about how often you do this. In fact, it can be so much fun to go to the store with your friends and plan to cook a fun recipe with each other for a cozy night in. To make this easier, look to rent a VRBO instead of a hotel room. Many times, they can be cheaper too. Take this a step further and stock up on breakfast, lunch and snack essentials so you can pack ahead and spend money on an extra excursion rather than an overpriced granola bar.
Walk it Out
Wherever you go don’t be shy to explore on your feet. Don’t overlook activities that are right at your doorstep. Walking around a new city or neighborhood opens you up to a new culture and plenty of opportunities to make impactful good memories. If you do need to travel a little farther, research the public transportation in the area, keeping an eye out for any student discounts. There are plenty of activities that don’t require a fee such as finding a local market, taking a tour of any historical landmarks, or participating in an outdoor activity depending on your location.
Most importantly, remember to have fun! You took this time to reward yourself after all of your hard work. Whether you are by yourself, with friends, or family – by the way traveling with others is another way to cut costs – be grateful for a new experience. There is no perfect picture of what a vacation should look like, so with that being said, you can make any vacation an exciting one!