One of the perks of your golden years is being able to get
out and see the world. But when you are living on a smaller budget during
retirement, you need to find easy ways to save on all those vacation plans.
Thankfully, planning a budget-friendly trip from start to finish is pretty
simple, so long as you do a little research. If you need some ideas on how to
save on your next adventure, look no further than these simple cost-cutting
tips.
When you plan a trip, you probably always think about
hotels, flights and packing. Using sites like Priceline can help you save money
on all your travel plans, and even provide cashback opportunities.
Get Discounts on
Cars, Hotels and More
Wherever your travels take you, you are going to need a
place to stay. Luckily,
discount travel sites like Hotels.com make it
easy to find a hotel with all the features you need, at a price you are very
comfortable with. Look for last-minute deals or rebate offers, which can give
you some additional money back on your bookings for hotels, flights and other
travel needs. You can use that money to plan your next big trip.
If you are flying, you can try
discount
sites like Priceline to help you snag the best deals on every leg of your
journey -- you may even be able to snag a coupon if you dig a little deeper.
Alternatively, you can use
flight tracker apps that send notifications to
your phone as soon as prices drop or increase, which can make it much easier to
find a flight to fit your budget.
If you need to rent a car for your trip, you can find
ways to save there as well. Rental companies
like Enterprise typically offer promotions and discounts that can help reduce
those rental rates, especially on
weekends. You can save even more with cashback
offers on rental cars, so be sure to shop around before you book your ride.
Pick a Destination
That is Budget-Friendly
If you are really savvy, and flexible, you can definitely
book
budget-friendly international trips. For
example, if Paris is calling your name, you could always book a cheaper trip to
Budapest and experience many of the same kind of attractions at a fraction of
the price of traditional Parisian adventures. You can also check sites like
Groupon for savings on experiences and dining, even in popular destinations.
When you need an easier way to save, however, try choosing a destination that
is a little closer to home. There are so many exciting and beautiful places to
see in Canada, so consider getting out and exploring areas you have never been
to before.
Don’t Forget to
Prepare Your Home
It’s important to give some serious thought to
preparing your home before you leave. The last
thing you want after saving yourself so much on your vacation is to come home
to a very expensive problem. Before you go, check around your house to make
sure batteries are replaced in smoke detectors and that all your windows are
closed and locked. If you are
leaving in the winter, you may also want to
leave a faucet dripping to prevent pipes from bursting. It’s also always a good
idea to have a friend or family member stop by your house to check things out
during your vacation. This can be especially helpful if you forget to put a
hold on your mail, or if you need someone to help water plants while you are
away.
Living on a smaller budget in
retirement is no reason to
limit yourself from seeing the world. With a little time and some basic
planning, you can put together budget-friendly trips that will really add some
joy to your golden years. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next
vacation today, and don’t forget to look online for money-saving discounts,
promo codes and rebates to help you save.
Hazel Bridges
www.agingwellness.org
