How to Plan an Inexpensive Trip on a Budget

When you're looking for a last minute deal, remember that sometimes the price is more important than the destination. This approach works well if you're not picky about where you go. Last minute cruise, hotel and airfare deals can mean departing as early as 24 hours after booking. You can save even more by making sure to include a Saturday stay in your itinerary, as hotels prefer to book full weekends. If you see a price and destination that you love, book it as soon as possible, as last minute prices can fluctuate a lot.

Budgeting is the most important step and will affect the rest of your vacation planning process. Decide how much you want to spend on everything from hotels and gas to souvenirs and meals. You don't need to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of ways to plan an affordable vacation or staycation. Did you know that many popular cities in the U. S. have a lot of free and super cheap things to do? Check out my list of the 10 cheapest places to travel. Have a plan for what you will do on vacation once you get there. If you plan to figure things out when you arrive, this can lead to a lot more spending and impulse purchases. Instead, research ahead of time and come up with a vacation itinerary.

If you're looking for ways to upgrade your airplane seat without using frequent flyer miles or major asset liquidations, consider checking if your airline offers first or business class seat auctions. On flights with less than full loads, it is possible to get a bus upgrade for a couple hundred dollars, which is a more than reasonable price for tickets that can cost thousands of dollars.

The best way to plan a vacation on a budget is to start looking for deals on websites like Expedia and Priceline, which offer discounts on flights, hotels and car hire when purchased as a package. For younger travelers looking for cheaper accommodation, especially in big cities like London, Paris or Rome, staying in a youth hostel is a cheap and fun way to travel, especially because of the opportunities they offer to socialize.

When booking flights, Keyes suggests booking at least a month in advance for domestic flights and two months in advance for international flights (although you should consider planning a couple more months if you're traveling during a peak period such as Christmas).

I'm Kami, the mother of two little blessings. I'll provide you with tips and tricks on how to plan ahead, save time and money, and enjoy life to the fullest. For example, I'm planning a summer getaway to the Greek islands, where the 30-dollar-night waterfront hotels with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea are plentiful and seductively simple meals of wine and local produce cost only a few euros.

If you're looking for an inexpensive trip, start by budgeting before you go. Research ahead of time and come up with an itinerary so that you don't end up spending more than necessary. Look for deals on websites like Expedia and Priceline for discounts on flights, hotels and car hire when purchased as a package. Consider checking if your airline offers first or business class seat auctions if you want an upgrade without using frequent flyer miles or major asset liquidations. And don't forget about youth hostels if you're looking for cheaper accommodation in big cities like London, Paris or Rome.