Adventure is for everyone: Nine tips for travelling on a budget

Article content

Laura Churchill Duke

Article content

Article content

Special to SaltWire

Warm weather brings on the thoughts of summer adventures and travel. With inflation and higher gas prices, traveling can cause extra stress on finances. Instead of quashing travel plans completely, think instead of ways to travel on a budget.

Katie Peterson of Rothesay, N.B. has some ideas. Through her platform Kates Creative Kitchen, she helps moms save money on groceries through meal planning. She also knows about budget traveling.

Article content

Peterson has a family of nine, with seven children ranging in age from 17 to four years old. This summer, the family intends to try their first family trip to P.E.I. and continue to do lots of day trips to their favourite summer destinations.

Likewise, Natalie Frederick-Wilson of Bedford, N.S., together with her partner David and two children Dihlan (16) and Nia (12), likes to adventure travel. They call themselves the NS Wandering Wilsons. Through their platform, they focus on diversity, family travel, education, exploration, and fun with the central message adventure is for everyone. This summer, the family will be hitting Fundy National Park, Barbados, St. Vincent and Bequai, Shelburne and Pugwash, N.S.

Peterson and Frederick-Wilson offer their top tips for saving money while on summer vacation.

1. Book Airbnbs or vacation tentals

Opt for vacation rentals or Airbnbs over hotels, says Peterson. They often provide more space, a kitchen, and other amenities.

For Frederick-Wilson and her family, she says they mix it up when it comes to accommodations. For example, they tent, are invited to stay with friends to explore, or are invited to partner with places of lodging for their social media platform. If they are celebrating, she says they may stay at a special hotel.

Article content

But typically to stretch their budget they stay in cheaper places, she says.

2. Pack your own meals and snacks

Bringing your own food is a game-changer, says Peterson. Pack lunches, snacks, drinks and even breakfast items. Not only does this save money, but it also ensures that everyone has something they like. For this, she says to think easy breakfast ideas, picnic lunches and snack food you picked up on sale to help save money at gas station stops.

Frederick-Wilson agrees. They pack picnics from ingredients they have at home. Often, they travel off the beaten path, and there are seldom restaurants.

We love picnics, she says.

3. Refillable water bottles

Staying hydrated for free beats buying expensive bottled water, says Peterson. Or Peterson says when they hike, her husband bought a huge water jug that they bring and they keep reusable cups in their van.

4. Give kids their own spending money

Empower your kids by giving them their own budget for treats and souvenirs, suggests Peterson. This teaches them valuable money management skills and helps avoid constant requests for extras, she says.

Article content

5. Do research and plan an itinerary

Frederick-Wilson says to research the region and communities where you will be travelling to see what there is to see. Particularly, she says to look for nature and cultural experiences where you can learn something and may not be a paid experience.

For example, she suggests exploring the tide pools at Blomidon, N.S. or going mudsliding in Maitland, N.S.

Another way to do research, says Frederick-Wilson, is to ask the locals about what to do.

Each community has fun spot to explore, which are best known by the locals, and they can direct you to fun waterfalls, hikes and more, says Frederick-Wilson.

Based on this research, Peterson says to create an itinerary that balances free and paid activities. Know when and where youll spend money, such as on amusement parks, sightseeing tours, and gift shops. This helps manage expectations and expenses, she says.

6. Utilise free attractions and activities

Peterson says to research free or low-cost activities at your destination. Parks, museums with free admission days, local festivals, and beaches can provide endless entertainment without breaking the bank.

Article content

7. Look for family discounts and deals

Many attractions offer family rates or discounts, says Peterson. Always check online for coupons or special deals. Booking tickets in advance can also save you money.

8. Book early

Frederick-Wilson says to plan ahead, especially for flights. Their family plans ahead and purchases ahead of time, when costs are usually lower.

9. Share experiences, not things

Focus on creating memories rather than buying souvenirs. So, Peterson says to take lots of photos, videos and keep a travel journal.

With these ideas in mind, summer vacation wont have to break the bank.

Article content