Summer Vacation Season is (Finally) Here! How to Travel on a Budget.

Looking to travel this summer but don’t want to break the bank? You’re not alone. 

More than 35% of respondents in Primerica’s most recent quarterly Financial Security Monitor survey said they plan to go on vacation this summer, and many will be saving money by exploring nearby destinations, engaging in low-cost outdoor activities or visiting free attractions, among other thrifty ideas. 

Overall, the survey found about 40% of respondents said they plan to spend less on summer activities and vacations compared to last year, with 33% spending the same and only 14% spending more. Only 33% of respondents, however, said they had budgeted for vacation.

While everyone deserves — and needs — a break from time to time, meeting your future financial goals requires careful consideration of how much you can afford to spend on travel. 

Here are a few tips to point you in the right, budget-saving direction:

• Be flexible: Every destination has a peak season. An easy way to save a good chunk of change is to avoid these. Instead, look for deals during the shoulder season, which typically falls a couple months before and after peak travel times. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also avoid crowds. Other ways to save include booking farther in advance, setting flight alerts to score the cheapest possible ticket, booking red-eye flights or flying on non-peak travel days, such as the middle of the week.  

• Set a budget — and stick to it: As you’re determining when, where and how long you want to be away from home, start estimating the cost of what you’ll need for the duration of your trip. That means everything from hotels to transportation to food and sightseeing costs. Starting this process as early as possible gives you the best shot at snagging great deals on hotel rooms, car rentals and discount tour tickets instead of paying more last minute. Most importantly, once you’ve set a budget, stick to it. Don’t let those shiny tourist traps or street vendors wreck your well-laid plan.

• Search for freebies: No matter where you travel, there are bound to be a number of free or cheap activities that will provide memories to last a lifetime. For starters, keep an eye out for parks, public beaches, libraries, hiking trails, religious sites and free museums. With a little online research, you can even dig up incredible free guides and walking tours accessible directly from your smartphone. And don’t forget that half the fun of travel is simply experiencing your destination firsthand. Set aside some time to meander city streets, walk along the coastal shoreline or simply people watch.

As much as you may love to travel, overspending on vacation can take a toll on your expenses — and your financial future. But with sufficient planning and research, you too can stretch your dollar to join the millions of Americans taking to the road, rails or skies over the next few months. 

Primerica is a leading provider of financial services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. Licensed financial representatives educate Primerica clients about how to prepare for a more secure financial future by assessing their needs and providing products like term life insurance, mutual funds, annuities, and other financial products. Primerica representatives are not financial planners.  Representatives are independent contractors and not employees of Primerica.  

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