Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!
Traveling can be a luxury sometimes {trip to the Bahamas, cabin on Lake Tahoe} and a necessity other times {sister’s wedding, child’s college graduation, a funeral}. Regardless of why you are going, the cost of lodging can often be your biggest expense. Here are some surefire ways to cut down on your lodging costs:
Sleep under the stars: A tent might not be the type of lodging you thought I was talking about, but, really? Is there anything cheaper? I’m not much for camping myself, but if your travel destination is near a good campsite, getting a little fresh air under the stars might be a great alternative.
Stay with friends: If you have family or friends in the city you’re traveling to, the cheapest room is a free spare room. If I’m staying with friends or family, I like to either come bearing gifts, offer my help, make ourselves as scare as possible and leave the place cleaner than I found it. You can see all my tips on How to Be a Good House Guest Here.
Swap houses: If you’ve seen that movie The Holiday, then you’ve seen how happily-ever-after house swapping can be. While I think I’d be too nervous to house swap with a stranger, I might be willing to give it a try with people I know. If you’re a braver than I, there are some swapping sites that have great reputations like homeexchange.com.
Bid on it: Sometimes procrastinating pays off. If you have a last second trip you have to take, hit Priceline.com and bit on a room. I’ve found some of my very best hotel room rates this way.
Loyalty program perks: If you are a frequent traveler, make sure you sign up for your hotel of choice’s rewards program. Rack up points and you’ll be on your way to free nights, upgrades and red carpet service!
Travel in off-peak season: This one kind of goes without saying. Summer months, Christmas and thanksgiving weekend, spring break. There are times where prices will jump guaranteed. If it’s possible to travel when the rest of the country is not, you’ll see much better hotel rates!
Travel to the deals: Sometimes having no destination at all is the very best way to save money. head on over to hotwire.com or expedia.com and check out their last second deals. Maybe there’s a great deal on a 5 star hotel in San Diego or a travel package to Vegas that’s tempting. Seattle, Salt Lake and New York also have some random great hotel deals. If you’re flexible with your destination city, a cheap hotel room is in your future.
Use your rewards: Credit card perks are just that. Perks. I like to save mine and cash them in for hotel stays. Even if you don’t have enough to get a free room, your card will sometimes offer some great deals when you use your card. Or you can cash in points for a reduced rate. I’ve gone all over the world and have often stayed for free using this method!
Did I miss any great ways to save on lodging? Where do you normally stay when you travel?
How Much Can You Save: $1,000+ My family saved over a thousand dollars on lodging a few years ago on a European vacation by using rewards points. I’ve saved hundreds more staying with friends and family. Saving on lodging can really make a dent in your overall travel budget!
More Ways to Save:
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Keep the Change {Week 10 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | The Art of Borrowing {Week 11 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Ditch the Gym {Week 12 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clip a Coupon {Week 13 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Start Your Garden From Seed {Week 14 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Learn to Cut Hair {Week 15 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Become a 1 Car Family {Week 16 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Phone Call {Week 17 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Christmas in July {Week 18 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Grow a Garden {Week 19 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Just Say No {Week 20 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Go Generic {Week 21 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Budget {Week 22 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Use the Library {Week 23 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Kick the Soda Habit {Week 24 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Improve Your Credit Score {Week 25 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Online {Week 26 of 52}
Leslie says
I’ve scored some wicked savings on rental cars via priceline. It’s almost the only way I rent cars.
Alison says
Try vrbo or homeaway for a longer stay. Often a condo or small home makes sense for stays close to or exceeding a week. Plus you’ll save tons of money on food costs.
Marcia says
Air-BNB! I used it for the first time on our most recent trip, to Utah.
Five nights at a basic hotel with breakfast cost the SAME as five nights in a 3BR, 2BA townhouse with a full kitchen. It was a no-brainer. The ability to cook made a huge difference.
My relative is coming to visit us here in So Cal in August. The cheapest hotel was a run-down Motel 6 for $179/night. I found a one-room cottage on Air-BNB for $99/night.
Becky says
HA! Make yourself as scare as possible? A little Freudian slip perhaps?
Suzy says
Ditto on the AirBNB. We’re in Lesvos, Greece, volunteering for the month & are in a lovely 2 bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and amazing landlords. For international travel, it’s a great way to learn about the culture & make new friends.
I’d add: do your research with the big picture in mind. If we’re driving, I always look for free parking. If we aren’t driving, I look for easy access to public transportation, nearby grocery stores & resturants. The cheap hotel in an industrial section of town isn’t a steal if you’ve got to call a taxi to get anywhere! Trip Advisor reviews & Goggle Maps are two of my favorite planning tools.
Michelle says
You should also check out the state parks where you are going. I live in Virginia and most of our state parks have 1, 2 and 3 bedroom cabins for rent and they are quite reasonable. I have also looked at the Florida state parks, thinking about a family trip to Disney, and there are a couple of state parks with cabins in the area that are quite reasonable, with the added bonus of preparing some of your own meals to bring down your costs.
Laura C says
Airbnb. We have used it in the US and other countries. It’s great and cuts down on eating out costs.
Sadaya says
I have often stayed in Youth Hostels as a way to save money on trips. Most of them do not require you to be a youth. Some do require you to be out during the day. It is usually much less expensive than motels in high tourist destinations and some even have private rooms for couples/families. If you google youth hostel, you can find them all over the place.