So how do I take so many vacations a year- here is how- I use income tax refunds to book months in advance which gives us discounts on costs - cruising u can secure cabin then watch prices up until the week prior and get the difference credited for use on the ship. I participate in every possible rewards program and discount program available. This is how we got a free cabin on the cruise we took in march. And every seven days that I book through choice hotels I accumulate enough points for two nights free. We have very little debt- we own all of our vehicles and pay cash for things versus using credit and having monthly bills to worry about. So we stash a little back for entertainment - btw we made choices to no longer have a cell phone for every person in our home or have cable so that we could have more to spend on trips. When I go on girls trips I am sharing costs which makes it cheaper for everyone, so for the three day two night trip I took in April- so we split the hotel, gas, car rental- I believe for our whole weekend excluding food and souvenirs we spent $150- for the average household this is the cost of a phone bill. I think ahead and price challenge as well as groupon items. My trip to New York we paid for half the normal costs for every event we planned- groupon is a great savings. I also paifpd ahead for gift cards to must go to resteraunts- a lot of times they will sell gift cards at a discounted rate. I do a lot of research for different things to do - every place has free things to take advantage of you just have look! Lastly- I travel in down seasons- example--- go to New York end of May / first of June--- flights are cheaper/ tickets to events are cheaper/ tourist things are cheaper- spend less money for the same things! Tips- dont use travel agents - u can secure better deals on cruises and hotels on your own plus no fee Take advantage those time share sales pitches- our first cruise was free for listening to an hour long sales pitch! If you are offered a survey point program do them- often times being part of a discount program is an in to surveys that you can earn points for free stuff or even cash! Nothing is free/ wouldnt u rather spend a few minutes answering questions for a vacation than spend more cash?? Also I am fortunate to work at a place that I have a flexible schedule - I do not get paid when Im off but I am given the availability to take off when I like for my trips.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 05:43:59 +0000