Spring is well underway, teasing us all with warm spells, and as we head towards the summer months, many people are starting to seriously think about booking their getaways. From sun-drenched, exotic beaches to action-packed, adventure trips, we all have an idea of our dream holiday on a budget. Sadly, all too often, these idyllic breaks are a little out of our budget.
Wanderlusts’, finance-guru Shane Clifford – co-founder and CEO of new household bill management app, WonderBill – shares his top tips below, on how to get that dream holiday on a budget that works for the average Joe.
Holiday on a budget ‘deals, deals, deals’
Travel is a massively competitive market, which is always good news for the consumer, as it drives prices down. There are a wealth of impressive holiday discount sites and apps out there. From Voyage Privé to CheapFlights.co.uk and LastMinute.com (just to name a few), you can find some heavily discounted offers for amazing holiday destinations all over the globe. Make sure you also cross reference your favourite picks with Trip Advisor too – so you know you are getting an honest deal!
Embrace TripAdvisor
It is human nature to feel comfortable with what you know, to want to play it safe. But isn’t travelling all about discovery? If you are unsure about trying something different or travelling to new destinations, TripAdvisor is a great source to get people-approved recommendations. From decisions as huge as which country to visit, or where to simply go for dinner while away, you may find a brilliant, recommended, alternative option at a much better price. Discovering a hidden, modestly cheaper, local gem off the beaten track is more of an authentic holiday experience than heading to an extortionately priced experience in a popular tourist district.
Off peak perks
We are all prepared for the costs of holidays in August to skyrocket due to the school holidays and hot temperatures. It is unavoidable for some, but if you can get away at a different time of the year take full advantage of this. Prices dramatically drop after the school break and holidays in late September or early October are a fraction of the cost, while still boosting brilliant weather. May and June fare similarly and lots of sunny, warm locations come with affordable price tags.
Avoid all-inclusive
Package deals and all-inclusive holidays on a budget may be easy-peasy – and are often sold in a way to make you feel like you are getting a really cheap deal – but you can end up spending more. Invest some solid time on researching and shopping around to get the best price for each element of your trip – from flights and transfers to hotels, excursions and food. It may seem like a great deal of effort, but it is totally worth it when you find a cheap flight upgrade or 10 nights at a plush hotel for the price of one week!
Every little helps
Dream holidays are often expensive and it can be a real challenge to save extra money towards a trip. There are easy tricks to help save those extra pennies, such as swapping supermarkets for a few months to a cheaper alternative – like Aldi or Lidl – and giving your household bills and nip and tuck by shopping around for better deals. Apps can be a great way to help you tighten those purse strings and save a few extra pennies – check out Apple’s app store or Android’s Google play for bill management apps. WonderBill is great for tracking your outgoings and recommends great deals. Little everyday changes may help give savings that needed boost.
That dream trip away may feel like a distant wish, but with a little bit of insider knowledge it could now be within reach. So pop the kettle on, brew those cheaper own-brand teabags and get shopping around. The perfect getaway is out there with your name on it – and a price tag that will leave you smiling. Hello holiday time!
Just a group of real women dealing with life’s daily struggles! Want to write for us? Email: hello@thedailystruggle.co.uk
