Money Wall by epSos.de, on Flickr
Today on GoAbroad, we bring you the conclusion to a three-part guest series from Darcie Connell, the Co-Founder of Trekity.com, a fun adventure site, and TravelBloggerAcademy.com, where you can learn how to blog about you travels. She is thrilled to share 101 tips of different and unique ways to save money on your next trip abroad.
Part three of this series covers tips for money, clothing and gear, and other essential travel tips! Be sure to also check out part one and part two of this series for more travel resources!
Traveling is expensive.
You have overpriced flights with hidden fees up the wazoo, money hungry hotels that have the nerve to charge for WIFI, and restaurants that double their dinner prices for the exact same meal they serve for lunch.
But guess what? Travel doesn’t have to be expensive.
Having been on the road since 2009, I’ve wandered through Europe, the U.S., South East Asia, India, Nepal, Central America, and now South America and learned some surprising tips on how to sock away cash while exploring the world.
Here’s my secret list of 101 ways to save money on your next trip…
Tips #71 to #101
Money
71. Get a travel credit card and/or ATM card that gives a percentage back on money spent without foreign transaction fees.
72. Get a gas card to rack up free gas for those long road trips.
73. Inquire about tax refunds. Certain countries will refund the tax you paid on all goods purchased within their country. You’ll need to provide proof of purchase, but it can add up significantly if you made large purchases.
74. Always ask the price ahead of time (especially if it’s not printed) to be 100% clear on how much you’ll be spending. One time, I ended up spending $5 for a cup of coffee (which should have been $1) just because I didn’t ask.
75. Know the exchange rate (not what you see online, but the actual rate you got for changing your money) and bring a calculator to help you calculate exact prices when shopping.
76. Skip the traveler’s checks. Most countries don’t even use them anymore and charge upwards of 5% to cash which is way more than an ATM charges.
77. Only exchange a little money at the airport (if you must) as the exchange rates are horrendous.
78. Know your bank fees (especially in foreign countries) and balance at all times.
79. Give yourself an overall trip budget and daily budget. Use cash to help manage your daily spending.
80. Save your coins and change. While it’s common to say, “keep the change”… don’t. A little goes a long way.
Clothing, Gear and Shopping
81. Don’t stock up on toiletries before your trip. Instead, use what you have and if you run out, buy more when you’re traveling. Believe it or not, but people use tooth paste and shampoo around the world.
82. Don’t buy clothing specifically for your trip… You can get some great locally made items on the road for half the price. Plus, you’ll have a souvenir to bring back. The only exception would be high-quality shoes and outdoor gear.
83. Don’t buy books for your travels. Instead, bring an old but good book from home and find a book exchange on the road.
84. Avoid souvenir shopping. Most people don’t want a crappy shot glass or magnet anyway.
85. Don’t buy pirated DVDs. Read a book instead.
86. Travel light to avoid extra baggage charges with the airlines.
87. Skip the duty free stores at the airport. Yeah, you might not have to pay tax, but did you really need that $100 bottle of perfume or scotch anyway?
Other Tips
88. Check out the local newspapers or guides for discount coupons for accommodations, restaurants, activities and more.
89. Take advantage of membership discount cards (students, AAA, AARP, teachers, military, government employees, emergency workers, etc.) for discounts on museums, restaurants, movies and more.
90. Bring duck tape… Chances are you’re going to rip or break something and this can save you from having to buy brand new.
91. Set your own price with Priceline.com, where you on flights, hotels and car rentals and if they’re available you get them at your price.
92. Scope out the local Groupon.com for group discount rates on activities, meals and more.
93. Buy package deals so you can take advantage of great discounts on flights, hotels, and car rentals by buying from one source.
94. Hang out with budget minded travelers. Non-budget minded traveler can drain your bank account quicker than a jackrabbit.
95. Chat with a local. They often know the best, local and inexpensive places to sleep, eat or hangout. Plus they might be able to hook you up with local discounts. When I went wine tasting in Napa with my friend who lived there, we got the locals discount on every tasting.
96. Don’t smoke. While it can be tempting as a lot of travelers smoke, it’s expensive and bad for your health.
97. Volunteer or work abroad to not only save money, but potentially make money on your trip.
98. Unplug all appliances before leaving on your trip.
99. Cancel or hold newspaper or magazine subscriptions and ask not to be charged.
100. Be nice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen rude people pay more just because of their poor attitude.
101. Don’t stress the small stuff. Travel is an enjoyable experience and if you overpay a few coins in one place, chances are you’ll get it back in another.
Do you have other money saving tips? Leave a comment below for our readers. Thanks and happy travels!
Darcie Connell is the co-founder of Trekity.com, a fun adventure site, and TravelBloggerAcademy.com, where you can learn how to blog about you travels. As an avid traveler, she’s currently exploring Peru and has plans to meander Argentina and Chile the remainder of the year. Follow her adventures on Twitter.
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