by Jennifer Wilder
My husband and I actually aren’t cheapskates, but we do love saving money. And when we can combine saving money with traveling, well, it feels like we’re getting away with something.
For our travels over the last two years, there are three things my husband and I have taken into consideration: location, season and friends.
LOCATION
You don’t have to go far from home to have a fulfilling and inexpensive getaway with your spouse. Where we live, we’re fortunate to be within two hours driving distance from the mountains, an hour from two large lakes and five hours from the sea. And in each of those areas are state parks. Many of the state parks around us have rental cabins or small lodges on property with reasonable rates.
Sometimes, we choose to stay in a town next to the tourist town in each of those areas to save on lodging, and we’re only a short drive from the attractions.
Tip: Getaway to a place within a couple hours’ drive, and stay in non-traditional lodging.
SEASON
For us, there is no off-season. My husband and I enjoy traveling to places no matter the time of year. However, if season corresponds to the activities we’re participating in, then we try to book travel as close as possible to the borderlines of “seasons” that the tourism industry dictates. That means, we have to pay attention early.
If we want to go to the mountains to see the fall color, but the seasonal rates are double that of off-season, we’ll get online nine months to a year in advance to search through hotel websites. We use Yelp.com, TripAdvisor.com and other sites to check ratings. Then we go directly to the hotel sites we select to look for specials, and to see their seasonal calendar. From that calendar, we can pinpoint our desired dates of travel—the week before the tourist season starts.
Tip: Travel during the off-season to get the best rates. If possible, choose travel dates the week or month before the official tourist season starts. You’ll save money, and your destination won’t be as crowded.
FRIENDS
That 60s song is right—we get by with a little help from our friends. My husband and I have friends and family all over the U.S. and the world. We’re blessed that many of them invite us to visit—just as we invite them to visit us.
Last year, we were able to getaway for a weekend to the mountains and stay in a friend’s cabin. In an upcoming year—no details yet—we’re planning to visit cousins who live in Australia. (I’m not saying that Australia will be a cheap getaway.) The added benefits of staying with friends or at a friend’s vacation home not only saves in lodging, but it will save on food if you choose to cook your own meals.
Tip: Ask your friends if you can housesit for them when they go on vacation. If your friends have a weekend or vacation home, offer to do any light repairs in exchange for lodging.
Travel is affordable when you get creative and flexible. Finding a close location—a quaint town—can be just the change of scenery you need without the huge cost of air travel. Going during non-tourist season will save on lodging as well as attractions, plus there’s the added benefit of smaller crowds. And asking friends for a weekend away at their home could help you and them—so ask!
Wherever you go, be sure to fully go. Leave your cares behind and be with your spouse. Getaways make a difference in our marriage, I bet they could in yours too!
Jennifer Wilder is an Online Content Manager for The reThink Group. She and her husband, Nathan, happily live in Mableton, Georgia, with their 113-pound German Shepherd Dog and 65-gallon saltwater aquarium.
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