It’s starting to be that time where we anxiously sit in class, only to find our minds drifting to thoughts of spring break; whether you go to the sizzling sunlit beaches of CanCun, the frozen frosted mountains of Denver, or the sunken couch at home waiting for your body to impress its shape for the next ten days, the week before spring break is a blur of excitement, planning and anxiousness.
I know for me, all I can think of is if I have enough space in my suitcase for all the new wedges and sundresses I bought for Spring 2011, that I reluctantly stowed away due to the miserable monsooons we have experienced these past few weeks in NH. When I think of spring break, the only thing that does not bring a rush of euphoria is the thought of the money that I will drop on foreign fashion, cover charges, and delicious dining. Obviously, those who are traveling want to get the full cultural experience, so we don’t want to jeopardize our adventures for the sake of not spending money. The alternative to not spending money is to do things with a frugal mentality and to save money in areas that we don’t quite always think about!
1. Get all your small items before you leave
If your traveling by plane, buy a lot of the smaller items at home that would normally be super expensive if you were to get them at the airport or a hotel gift shop. Double check your packing list to ensure that you have your sunscreen, lotions, toothpaste, hair products, makeup and more importantly your prescriptions. Forgetting something as simple as toothpaste may seem harmless, but that could be an extra $4-6 that you could use at the beach bar! Other small fees you may forget about is baggage fees. Pack lightly so you don’t have to pay the absurd overcharge for that extra pair of shoes you added last minute, tipping the scales to be over 50lbs.
(She miiight have overpacked…)
2. Avoid pricey parking
Parking can be the biggest hassle at the airport, as you can never find a price that is “cheap” enough, or one where you don’t have to take three transfer buses to get to the airport. Utilize your smartphones ladies, there are new apps that can help you find the cheapest parking near your local airport (check out primospot)!
3. Take a break from rushing
If your traveling by motor vehicles, speeding down the east coast to a warmer destination may save you some money as opposed to flying, but if you go the speed limit you will save even more money! I know, the last thing you want to worry about is going slow when your mind is set for the white sand beaches of Miami, but driving the speed limit will save valuable gas mileage and prevent you from getting tickets. Getting a ticket before your break even starts would be the worst buzz kill, so take the lead foot off and relax! Your on vacation! Also a fun scientific fact: if you are driving on backroads it is more efficient to use your windows to cool off than the AC, but once on the highway the AC becomes more efficient. Use your windows wisely to save money and get a better view of the surfers on the beaches!
(That’s a lot of drinks you could have bought!)
4. Don’t be responsible for hotel damage
One thing that I am sure everyone knows by now in college is that people are not always as good as they say they are at paying back. Having known that, as genuine as a friend that you may be, it’s not fiscally smart to put the bill on your credit card. Let someone else take that burden! If things get a little too rowdy, or the supplied minifridge gets broken into in the late hours of the night, its your name that’s on the bill.
5. Snuggle Session!
On that note, squeeze as many people into a room as you comfortably can. Each person makes it a better deal. Who needs a good night sleep when you can lay out and sleep on the beaches all day! Use the extra hundred dollars you save by doubling up the queen size bed to treat yourself to a massage or a cute new outfit from the trendy shops in the streets!
6. Save your dining dollars for deluxe dinners
Although you may be overwhelmed in a city of new tastes, whether it be a banana chocolate whipped crepe in France, a black bean and guac burrito in Mexico or risotto al tartufo in Italy, don’t feel obliged to go out for every meal. I know temptations are everywhere in a foreign location, however, save your money for yummy dinners and deserts as you can easily buy yogurts, granola, or sandwich meat to keep in the room and save money on breakfasts and lunches! On a side note, when you go out to eat, save your leftovers! They tend to be good midnight snacks or quick lunches for the next day.
7. Gawk at Groupon
No matter what you do for spring break, if you are relaxing at home, driving somewhere, or traveling afar, look at Groupon for your destination! Groupon is a website that lists coupons for geographic locations world wide, offering amazing deals for everything you can imagine from restaurants, drink specials, massages, and tourist attractions! Plan some of your meals or day trips around something fun that Groupon can help you save money on.
8. Don’t be a victim of scams!
Be aware of local scams while you are there. Most spring break destinations (See the Top 5 in last weeks HC blog!) are prone to have the street hagglers that make the deals sound too good to be true. Being in a different country, especially one with an unfamiliar exchange rate, you may not be able to instantly recognize this as a ripoff. Don’t let yourself be a victim of scam chica, as not everyone on vacation is there to wait on your hand and foot and some may try to get a run for your money! If any deal is questionable, gather a general consensus between your friends and see if anyone else feels iffy about it. If you ever have questions about places to go or what to do, the front desk is a reliable option. They may have coupons or know of free events.
9. You don’t need any more dusty souvenirs
Something really hard for us girls to stick to on vacation is our everyday diets and budgets. The allure of being on vacation enables you to forget about your normal routine, I mean that’s the definition of a vacation anyways! However, it can lead to excessive dining and purchasing of souvenirs that will be soon forgotten or put on the top of your dresser to collect dust in your dorm room. Tend to the mindset of not spending money on things you normally wouldn’t buy at home. If you went to NYC on a daytrip, you probably wouldn’t get a set of shotglasses with the Statue of Liberty on it, so don’t waste your money on a set with the Eiffel Tower.
(Resist.The.Boardwalk.Shops.)
10. Resist splurging
The whole “vacation” mentality is hard to get your mind out of when you are in a destination far from Durham, NH (or not so far if you stayed at your humble abode). Regardless of where you are, being on vacation does not give you incentive to splurge on the whole trip! Choose one expensive item, whether it is a costly night out, the new Burberry jacket in the original store in England, an Italian leather purse that you can’t find anywhere else, or a gourmet five course dinner on the cruise ship; let yourself splurge in only one realm! If you use the excuse, “but I am on vacation” for every purchase, you will soon find your wallet dry, and owing your parents a good amount of money. Stick to a budget that is within reason of your lifestyle and don’t be influenced by your friends spending.
Budgeting on a vacation does not mean that it will make your trip any less enjoyable. Savor the vacation mindset as a time to forget about your daily worries about your future and sit back to spend a few days of relaxing. Just don’t take that mindset to an extreme and forget about the consequences of overspending! Save your money in the little places so you can enjoy the luxuries that come with a week off. Wherever you go, whatever you do, have a wonderful and exciting spring break!