Traveling can be lots of fun. It allows us to experience new cultures, see new things, and we become more well rounded. Unfortunately, travel can be costly and many of us delay it because it’s just too expensive. Here are some ways to create mini-vacations for very little cost.
Let the Boss Pick up the Tab
If you travel a lot for business, you can create mini-vacations by extending your stay. Let’s say that you have a Wednesday through Friday trip to Washington D.C. Ask your boss for 1 day off and extend your trip so that you return on Monday night. That way you can spend Saturday – Monday visiting the sites of D.C. By eliminating the airfare, it becomes much more affordable.
Use Credit Card Rewards
Most credit cards have a reward program that gives 1 to 2 points for every dollar spent. The Capital One Venture card gives you 2 points back per dollar, so it’s a good choice. You can put everything on this card — groceries, clothes, travel expenses, utility bills, hotel stays, etc. Pay the card off monthly so that you don’t build up a balance and you can use these miles to purchase airline tickets or pay for a hotel.
Use Hotels.com
Each time I stay at a hotel, I book it through Hotels.com. For every 10 times I stay in a hotel, I get 1 free night — this is an easy way to pay for lodging on your mini-vacation.
Go Somewhere Near
Many times we don’t explore sites that are in our own backyard. We live in Florida, so by just making a day trip, we can easily visit Atlanta, New Orleans, Mobile, or somewhere else near that has some fun things to do. You can plan a weekend stay, turning that mini-vacation dream into a reality. To find fun things to do in your area, check out the Road Trippers website.
Swap Houses
If you live in a desirable area, consider house swapping. Sites like www.HomeExchange.com allow you to search for a place you wish to visit and swap your house with someone else. It has home swaps with exotic locations like the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. By swapping homes, the lodging costs are free and you only have to pay for airfare. Many times they will also swap cars so that your transportation is also covered.
Conclusion
I hope this post has inspired you to stop procrastinating with your travel dreams — get out there and travel!
If you have travel tips, please share yours in the comments below.
About this Blog
Steve and his wife built a software company, sold it and retired early. Steve enjoys blogging about lifestyle freedom, financial independence, and technology. If you like this blog, subscribe here to get an email each time he posts.
If you like this post, you might also like these prior posts:
- The American Dream is Alive and Well
- Financial Independence: What are Stocks?
- Financial Independence: What are Bonds?
- Wanderlust Began 26 Years Ago
Follow me: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Subscribe to this Blog
