How To Enjoy Your Break Without Breaking the Bank

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Most colleges give students a break in the fall before the longer winter break between semesters. However, taking advantage of this time off can be difficult on a college student’s budget. Saving money is good, but you likely want to make memories while you can. Luckily, there are ways to save money while making the most of your break.

Watch for airfare deals

One of the most expensive parts of a vacation is airfare. There are certain days when booking plane tickets is cheaper than on other days. If you are in a position to do so, booking same-day or next-day tickets can save you a lot of money. Even looking at airfare on certain days can lower costs due to site traffic. If you have rewards with an airline, either with a credit card or with airline rewards, book with rewards points.

Grocery shop

It is no secret that eating out can add up quickly, but many people decide to eat out on vacation. Instead, to help save money, grocery shop either when you get there or ahead of time. This way, you can cook meals and eat at your vacation home at least a few meals while on vacation. Use grocery rewards points and coupons to help you save even more money on your purchases. However, this is difficult if you are staying in a hotel that does not have a kitchen. Even so, there are ways to put together food items without having to heat it up.

Stay with friends

When you travel with friends, you can split the cost of where you are staying. Traveling with friends can help you make new memories and deepen bonds. If your friends live or have a place in the location you are going, see if you can stay with them or if they will let you use their house if it is not being used. These options may not always be possible, but if it is, they are a great way to save some money.

Use cash

If you bring a credit card on your trip, you may be tempted to just swipe, making it easy to lose track of how much money you are spending. Instead, bring a set amount of cash to use for the duration of the trip and resist the urge to use your card. Doing this will help you stick to your cash-only budget, which will help you save money by not buying things you do not need.

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Staycation

Many college students are unable to go on lofty vacations as they need to save money. However, taking a staycation can be just as fun. Be a tourist in your own town or city or go to a nearby place. You may even want to take a few days to relax and unwind. Check into a hotel nearby and utilize the pool and restaurant on the premises. Go “glamping” in your backyard or porch area. See if your local library has museum passes that allow you to visit local museums for free.

Use utilities efficiently

While it is common to use air conditioning to help stay cool during the hotter months, it can be costly. However, there are ways to help keep your space cool and save money that you can put into a trip. Change your winter sheets to cooler sheets. Keep the hot sunlight out by closing curtains and blinds. Keep room doors open and be careful of the placement of furniture to help increase the circulation of air and utilize fans. Same thing with heating in winter months — put on a sweatshirt to help keep warm, add another blanket to your bed, wear fuzzy pajamas, and don’t go barefoot. Try to avoid automatically turning up the thermostat when you’re a bit chilly and see if there are any no-cost methods you can instead try first.

Plan ahead

The best way to save money when on a school break, whether it is a trip or an activity, is to plan ahead. Many times, if you book an activity ahead of time, tickets online will be cheaper than buying them the day of. This also saves you the hassle of figuring out what to do and spending money on a lot of activities that you did not plan out. Some activities have certain requirements. For example, if you want to do City Climb in New York City, you have to buy your ticket ahead of time. There are requirements you have to meet in terms of height, weight, and sobriety. If you go in not knowing this information, you may spend money only to be turned away for not knowing the requirements.

Use college student discounts

As a college student, your student ID often gives you access to various discounts. If you are planning on going to a museum, many museums offer student discounts if you show your ID. There are some travel groups, like Student Universe, that offer travel discounts for students for trips. Some airfare companies also offer student discounts. Again, plan ahead and do your research to see where you can get student discounts and plan your trip accordingly.

Breaks can be expensive, especially on a college student’s budget. With some planning and research, you can have a great break – without breaking the bank.

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