Get Away When You Want: Tips for Budget-Friendly Weekend Trips

Written by Leslie Campos

For many people, vacations are annual summer affairs carefully planned for when the kids are off school and work isn’t quite as hectic. For families with busy schedules and plenty of personal responsibilities, that’s a long time to wait. This is especially true if you run your own company.

Weekend getaways are a delightful breath of fresh air, but they can be tough to plan and may, considering airfare and accommodations, be prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, the advent of budget airlines and online tools like Airbnb.com and VRBO have altered the way many people think about travel. With a budget-conscious mindset and a little know-how and planning, The Travel Coach Network shares how you can make weekend trips a regular part of your yearly vacation agenda.

Leave work behind

No matter what you plan for your weekend, it won’t be enjoyable if you are stuck answering important phone calls about your business. As the boss of your company, it’s important to take some time for yourself. Not only will this be better for your mental health, but it will also make your work environment more pleasant for employees.

According to studies, one of the best ways to relieve the stress that comes from managing employees is to take a vacation, which managers rarely do. With so many tasks under your belt, one of the best options you have is to rely on technology to take away some of the workload and stress. But most of all, make sure you take the time to enjoy being with your family.

Budget dining

Vacations and eating out just naturally go hand in hand. Dining is usually a major portion of a vacation budget, but it doesn’t have to be. With some online research, you can find excellent, budget-friendly establishments so you don’t have to sacrifice this part of your travel experience. In fact, finding diamonds in the rough is part of the fun, and it helps stretch your budget so you can enjoy other activities as well.

Look for eateries in out-of-the-way places that serve fresh and affordable food. Minimize your alcohol intake (the wine list looks great but can account for as much as a third of the entire bill) and avoid touristy restaurants altogether. Try booking a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast, and stretch your dining budget even further by picking up a few groceries for the hotel room. You can find great deals on hotels through sites like Hotels.com.

Off-season visits

You can save a bundle by traveling off-season, which offers many advantages. There are far fewer tourists running around, and the prices are considerably lower. Many locations are hard up for tourist dollars during the off-season and are more amenable to discounts and special deals. Late-fall or early-winter weekend trips can be quite memorable. If you’re headed to a beachfront or traditionally warm weather destination, you might be surprised at how warm it is late in the year. However, beware of heading to the Gulf or South Atlantic region during hurricane and tropical storm season. Bear in mind that you can cut costs at the rental car counter as well, particularly during off-season. Search online for additional savings and coupons from rental car companies such as Enterprise. Or you take it a step further and look on Priceline to score a cheaper rental.

Get the traveler’s viewpoint

Do your homework and get a feel for what people have to say on Pinterest or Instagram about good locations for a cost-conscious weekend destination. A well-researched trip makes it easier to make the most of your time and spend your money wisely. Many people turn to social media to get a feel for interesting weekend destinations and for tips on the best places to visit while there.

Low-budget souvenirs

Save the big-budget souvenirs for that July beach blowout or European vacation and take a more discriminating approach on your weekend visits. Take a personalized approach by taking photos you can frame and give to family, or use tasty local treats (she-crab soup mix is a Charleston classic) as souvenirs that friends and family can enjoy with dinner. 

You don’t have to sit around imagining yourself in a chaise lounge under a beach umbrella sipping a cool drink next summer. Take the vacation bull by the horns and use your travel-budget savvy for a relaxing weekend getaway whenever you’re good and ready for one.
 
Need help planning your next trip? A travel coach from The Travel Coach Network can help you plan the perfect vacation!
 
Leslie Campos hopes to provide relief and tips for other busy parents through her site Wellparents.com. Parents can find a variety of information from stress-busters to exercise ideas to healthy eating tips. 

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