When it comes to vacations, holidaymakers usually resign to the fact that it is going to be a financially-damaging experience.

But this is not always true! So many travellers have proven otherwise that a little preparation can go a long way, and holidays need not always leave us broke.

From renting your house out while you are away, walking whenever possible and packing light with only one carry-on, here are 10 Tips on Saving Even When You Are On Holidays.

#1 CHOOSE THE RIGHT EATERIES

As a rule of thumb, restaurants located along the main streets of iconic tourist destinations are always the ones that are ready to “extort” money off you. Avoid such dining establishments altogether and venture into local neighbourhoods and alleyways for authentic and more wallet-friendly options.

#2 PREPARE YOUR OWN FOOD ON SOME DAYS

Wouldn’t you be interested to check out what the local markets and grocers have to offer? This is a great opportunity to further assimilate in your designated vacation destination, whilst saving money too. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. A DIY meal is always going to be way more affordable and fun.

#3 EARLY BIRD RATES

Be it an award-winning theatrical performance or an overnight stay at a luxury hotel, make use of early bird promotions by planning way in advance and you would stand to save up significant amounts of money – sometimes even up to 50% off!

#4 PACK LIGHT

Packing light with only one carry-on will save you heaps of time, money and hassle. Most budget airlines will charge you a fee for checking in your luggage, and we suggest you skip that unnecessary step. You can also skip the painful waiting time at the conveyor belt upon landing and not have to resort to taxis.

#5 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transport such as buses, trains and/or trams is always way cheaper than taking a cab. Some cities such as Melbourne do offer free public transportation around the CBD area, too!

Also, you can consider getting daily/ weekly/ monthly passes. They usually come in a few variations, depending on how many days you would need. And they are priced at bundled one-time fee for unlimited rides.

#6 RENT YOUR HOME OUT

If you are going to be away for a long period of time, why not rent out your house on Airbnb during the same duration so that you are effectively still getting a form of financial rebate? Do check out your city’s regulations before doing so.

#7 WALK WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Assuming that your next destination is actually within walking distance, we suggest you take a leisure stroll and immerse yourself in the city’s surroundings instead. This way, you get to save money, work out and also fully experience what the city has to offer.

#8 EARN YOUR STAY

Some places actually offer free stays in return for labour. Help out with mowing the lawn, taking care of a nursery, or milking cows. Anything at all! It would be an alternative experience, but no less memorable.

#9 TAP ON FREE WIFI

You may want to skip renting a wifi router or getting a SIM Card, and tapping on free wifi instead. But please do your research carefully. Beach destinations such as Phuket and Maldives are not the most generous with free wifi, as with cities such as Paris and Tokyo.

#10 SKIP THE SOUVENIRS

Know those cheesy souvenirs – magnets, notebooks and whatnot? Save your money and skip those, and take more photos instead. Captured moments are your best souvenirs and the most practical way to remember your holidays.

Don’t let your savings account be an obstacle to your wanderlust – holidaying doesn’t need to be an expensive affair. Check out these 11 tips on how to save money before, during and after you travel.

B E F O R E  T H E  T R I P

1. CREATE A TRAVEL FUND

Every month, I put in a sum of money into a different bank account to save up for my trips. This is great because, for starters, you won’t be digging into your personal savings to travel, so you’ll always have money when you return. Second, by consistently making a deposit, you can amass quite a bit during the months you’re not holidaying. You’ll always have spare cash to travel – so no more excuses!

Obviously the more you put in every month, the quicker the fund will grow, but you decide this based on how hungry you are to go gallivanting in a foreign land. If you truly want something, you’ll find a way to make it work.

For example, shop less or eat out less so you can put more into the travel fund. If you can’t bear to not buy shoes or have a fancy dinner every week, then perhaps travelling isn’t your priority. And that’s absolutely fine, just don’t complain about not having enough money then.

2. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Start thinking of your expenditures in “travel money”. The $5 you pay for coffee every day could go to a new and exciting dish you can taste in a foreign land every day too. The $40 dinner every weekend could go to the accommodation you’re splitting with your travel partner. That $200 bag is literally equivalent to a return ticket to nearby countries.

3. BOOK AIR TICKETS THREE TO FOUR MONTHS IN ADVANCE

I almost always fly budget. And even then, I book about three months in advance and start looking four months before. I’ve always managed to travel at a steal. My return tickets to South Korea on AirAsia cost me $406 all-in, inclusive of one check-in baggage and a meal on the return leg. And whether you’re flying budget or not, always wait for a sale – they will come up. I’d once seen tickets to Oslo, Norway for $808 all-in on Qatar Airways.

4. COMPARE AIR TICKETS PRICES

Even though it is cheap, flying budget is not always cheaper. It is worth spending some time using fare comparison sites (or even going to the individual airline pages) to suss out the lowest price for your travel dates.

5. DON’T SPLURGE ON THE HOTEL ROOM

You’re only in there to shower and sleep. Also, how are you going to really immerse yourself in the culture of a place by staying in an isolated (albeit fancy) hotel room? Go for local homestays or individually-run, small guesthouses. Not only are they cheaper, you’ll get to interact with the locals – it is the best way to get travel tips, food or attraction recommendations and knowledge of what it’s like to be a native.

Pick a place that provides breakfast. I love using Airbnb.com because it ticks off everything on this list – yes, even the breakfast bit.

Read the top 10 things that we love about Airbnb.

D U R I N G  T H E  T R I P

6. LOOK OUT FOR LOCALS IN RESTAURANTS OR CAFES

You know how Singaporeans like to throng the cheap and good places to eat? Well it’s the same in every country. And I often look out for eateries filled with local folks, rather than tourists. That way I know I’m going to be fed well, with an authentic cuisine and my wallet isn’t going to take a beating.

For more suggestions, read 5 useful travel tips that everyone should know.

7. GO TO THE SUPERMARKETS THE HOUR BEFORE THEY CLOSE

In the large ones, you can find cooked foods like chicken wings, sushi and pizzas on discount – hello, cheap supper!

8. SHOP SMART

You didn’t just fly 3,000km to buy things from international brands already available back home. Generally, I follow this rule: if it is less than 30% cheaper than in Singapore – it goes back onto the rack. Alternatively, stick to street shopping. You’ll always find a smorgasbord of things you can wear at a fraction of a big chains’ retail prices – plus, you won’t see someone with the same thing back home.

9. BUY TICKET BUNDLES OR DEALS TO ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Look up deal websites (just type “deals ” to search) to score major discounts on attractions and activities. Alternatively, some ticket-booking websites also offer bundles to several points of interests with substantial savings. Just remember to read the fine print.

10. TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This is quite the no-brainer. However, if you’re in a group of three or four, sometimes it is cheaper and faster to grab a metered taxi to get to a nearby location. Think places like Hong Kong and South Korea – a $6 fare split four ways is about the same amount you’d spend individually on a subway ride, minus the hassle. This works best for fares under $10 – beyond that, your savings can’t compare to if you were to take a public bus or train. Remember that the little dollars add up!

A F T E R  T H E  T R I P

11. KEEP YOUR LEFTOVER CURRENCY

Many people like to change their foreign currency back to Singapore dollars upon return. I actually recommend keeping it for future travels instead (unless you desperately need the money). I’ve always found it a delight to see leftover money from the previous time because I now need to change less for the upcoming trip.

What’s even better is if I’d changed my currency at a better rate the last time. I like storing mine in ziploc bags so they’re easy to identify. If you do turn them back into Singapore dollars, deposit it into your travel fund account.

Now it’s your turn. What are some of your travel saving tips?

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com