I was talking to a friend the other day, and they said- that they haven’t really traveled much because that was just something that rich people do. I can say that one of the biggest gifts that my parents have given me is the belief that travel can be done on any budget. We did not have a lot of money growing up- but travel was still an important part of my childhood. I learned there were plenty of free and cheap things to do anywhere- including where you live. You don’t want to miss out on all the cool things near you. 😀

I am the queen of bargain travel. Travel feeds my soul- sadly I am not rich. But I am rich in experiences.

The best way to save money on travel is research! I usually search free things to do in: (add the destination you are going to here). Not only does this save you money- you often discover cool things – that you would have missed out on otherwise.

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I have been to Hawaii 3 times. The first time was for my daughter’s cancer free trip so we splurged and did a lot of the special tours to make the trip extra special. To find bargains- I looked for coupons on Living Social or Groupon for the activities I am interested in doing.

Another way to save money when traveling is to keep your eye out for airfare specials. Airlines are constantly changing fares so it is a good idea to monitor the prices before you purchase- to get the best price possible. Another tip – if you have flexibility in your schedule, travel at off peak times- this will benefit you because things will be less crowded and less expensive. But you will need to research to be sure that the things you are wanting to do, will be open during the non peak season. (If you have a travel credit card, you can also earn airline points on everyday purchases which can earn you free flights)

One thing to remember when price shopping for flights is the hidden fees. How many bags will you be traveling with, etc. calculate these costs as well. Another cost that I often forget is long layovers are not only inconvenient but can be costly resulting in extra meals at airports – land of overpriced food. But if you pack food – you can avoid this expense.

Another thing to research is public transportation- if you are traveling to a big city like Portland, New York, San Francisco, etc you may not need to rent a car because public transportation is a great option. You can often save money if you are able to use public transportation for all or some of your trips.

I am not rich but I explore and travel regularly. I try to find the best deals possible. I found a glamping rental in Hawaii on Airbnb. Who would of thought I could find a place to stay in Hawaii for less than $20 per night. Having a travel buddy can also save on expenses because you can split the cost of lodging and even share food.

There are so many ways that one can save money when traveling. I hope I have helped you see that you don’t have to be rich to travel and go on adventures. If you have questions feel free to ask me! And remember- when you can’t go on a big trip-exploring close to home can be equally special. Remember people travel from all over the world to visit your area. The world is an amazing place. Explore what you can, when you can!