How to Enjoy a Weekend Trip Without Breaking the Bank

You're ready to take a little break and get away for a weekend, but you don't want to spend too much on a vacation. After all, your overall and long-term strategy for saving money depends on budgeting and saving now. To this end, DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation outlines a few ways you can enjoy a weekend trip without breaking the bank.

Choose the Right Destination
If you're on a budget, you must choose the right destination for your weekend trip. You might, for instance, only travel an hour or two away from your home, somewhere you can easily drive. You can still have fun and experience new things, but you'll save on airfare.

You might decide to spend a bit more and fly to your destination, but you can still make choices that fit into your budget. Research the cost of motel rooms and attractions in various cities, and balance those factors against what you'd like to see and do. You might have to make some sacrifices or postpone some activities, but you won't break the bank either.

Find Some Deals on Travel and Even Sports Tickets
Next, Nomadic Matt suggests finding some deals. You can often combine travel expenses, motel rooms, dining, and even admission fees to attractions into one package, thereby saving money on all of them. Spend time on a number of travel websites, experimenting with various packages to come up with the right one at the right price, then book it right away before anything changes. Alternately, you might consult with a travel agent, but be aware that most travel agents charge a fee, and that money must come out of another area in your budget.
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You can also find some great deals on seats at your favorite baseball stadium. For instance, if you’re a big New York Yankees fan, you can score tickets for the Yankees at a deeply discounted rate on sites that sell seats for low or no fees. Check online for tickets and available seats when you’re making travel plans, and pencil in a day for some fun at the ballpark this summer. Don’t forget to budget for a hot dog or two!


Pack Like an Expert
You can also save money on your weekend trip if you pack like an expert. Several days ahead of time, make a list of whatever you need to take on your trip. Include everything from aspirin and sunscreen to snacks. You don't want to have to purchase anything when you arrive at your destination. If you're flying and must check a bag, try to get everything into one suitcase that stays within the carrier's weight and size limits. Check out packing tips online for ideas.

Leave Your Business in Good Hands
If you own a business, you'll want to make sure you're leaving it in good hands while you enjoy your vacation. Even though it may be difficult, delegate some tasks to employees. You know your employees, and you know which ones you can trust to do their jobs well. Honor that, and allow them to take over while you're gone. Follow the rule of thumb that if your employee can do the job 80% as well as you can, go ahead and delegate.

Preserve Your Memories
Finally, preserve memories from your trip. Take plenty of pictures, and share some of them on social media. You can use an online picture resizer to make them easier to upload and view. Don't forget to add some captions, too. 2 Aussie Travellers points out that you can even keep a travel journal. If you're trying to save money, go lightly on the souvenirs and select one special item.

Enjoy Your Weekend
You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy a great weekend trip, so start planning – and keep saving. Choose your ideal destination, find some deals, and pack like an expert. You’ll be able to enjoy your short time away without worrying about how it’s going to affect your wallet!
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