• Home
  • Travel
  • About Stephanie
  • Work With Me

How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

How To Travel On A Budget With These 7 Tips

in Travel on 01/20/20

It’s January, it’s ridiculously cold, and enough is a enough already.  Why does January seems like it lasts forever! I know I’m not the only one planning, dreaming and yes, trying to figure out how we are going to take that next big family vacation.  Or heck, even just escape the cold for a much needed weekend getaway.   Are you ready to escape reality for a while? Here are my tried and true quick tips on how you can start traveling sooner.  Here’s how you can start living the dream.  This is how to travel on a budget.

Plan Ahead and Be Flexible

Airfare, train tickets even hotel rooms can be found at a discount if you can be a little bit flexible and book ahead.  When searching for fights be sure to search for flights in and out of different airports near you and consider travelling at “down times”.  Avoiding travel during the more expensive Summer and school holiday seasons.   You truly can find some amazing deals in the shoulder season or off season!  Paris in September?  I think so!

Don’t Forget The Points

I have a Credit Card that I’m loyal too and use consistently to rack up those points.  I may shop a little bit too much, but it doesn’t take me too long to rack up enough points to pay for a flight….or two!

Eat Like A Local

When exploring those touristy hot spots and hunger strikes, make a conscious effort to walk a few blocks away from the crowds and find some local haunts.  Odds are not only will you find even better restaurant options, but the prices will be better too.  Not in the mood for a sit-down meal?  Find a local shop or grocer and create a picnic to go.  While you’re at that grocer snag a few snacks and drinks for your hotel room. It’s much cheaper to stock your mini bar with bottled water, granola bars and fruit from the market then eating out of the hotel rooms fridge.

Another BIG eating tip.  Splurge at lunch and save at dinner.  A tasting menu in a fancy schmancy restaurant at lunch is often substantially cheaper then at the dinner hour.  The menu is the same, so is the great service, ambiance and memories you will make!

Don’t Over Tip

Do a little research on your destination before you go. In many countries you are not expected to tip on your meals, in some countries it is even considered rude.  Alternately, some restaurants have already added a tip to your bill – you wouldn’t want to tip twice!

Grab Some Free Culture

Many museums offer free admission one day a month – check the local guides.  If you don’t happen to be travelling that day, consider purchasing a museum pass that often allows for not only Front Of The Line access, but entry into multiple museums and galleries over the period of a week.  This pass pays for itself in no time.

Stay Differently

Full disclosure, I am an  accommodation snob.  When I travel I want to stay somewhere fabulous.  What I’ve learned is that this doesn’t have to be a 5 Star Hotel.  With a little research you can find some stunning AIR BNB’s, Home Rentals, or Home Exchanges, and when sharing the cost with friends or other couples it may even be cheaper than a traditional hotel.  Plus!  You can easily save a few more dollars by preparing a few meals in your “home” for the holiday!

Buy Travel Insurance

Advising to spend money when you are trying to save it?  Yes, yes I am.  You hope you never need it, but as they say an ounce of prevention…  One trip to the doctor for an ear infection, a jellyfish sting, a broken leg, or heaven forbid something worse and you will save every penny you ever invested and more.

Happy travels.

  • « Win a Family Pass for 4 To Disney On Ice in London! ARV $160!
    9 Tips For First Time Cottage Renters »

    Comments

    1. Shirley says

      June 13, 2020 at 8:27 am

      I need to start using my credit card more for the points

    2. Jennifer Zavitz says

      May 26, 2020 at 9:22 pm

      Great tips! Where was the last picture taken? It’s beautiful!

      • Stephanie says

        May 28, 2020 at 8:16 pm

        That last one was taken from the patio at our villa. Our view of Lake Como. It was all kinds of magical 🙂

    3. Micheline says

      May 23, 2020 at 12:47 pm

      Beautiful photos and great tips, I miss traveling. Wish I could just travel the world.

    4. Corinna says

      January 23, 2020 at 9:51 am

      I didn’t know museums sometimes had free entry days! Great tip. Thanks.

    5. Jule says

      January 22, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      Buying travel insurance is so important. You really just never know and it’s always better to be prepared. Peace of mind is worth it’s weight in gold, right?

      • Stephanie says

        March 6, 2020 at 4:28 pm

        How true! It’s always better to be safe than sorry. In my opinion travel insurance is a must.

    Travel addict, sun seeker, coffee drinker, fashion lover, picture taker. This is a peek behind the closed and competitive doors of the suburbs. A place to come to learn about the best places to travel with your kids in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and beyond! stephanie@sassymodernmom.com
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Search This Site

    Guest Blogging For ETCanada & Skinny Cow

    At the GRAMMYs !
    Stephanie Holmes

    sassymodernmom

    Canadian Blogger. Traveler. Influencer. Picture Taker. Family Travel Expert.
    ❤️London ON
    ☀️Always planning my next vacation!

    My forever valentine 💘 My forever valentine 💘
    Drinking margaritas, soaking up the sun and watchi Drinking margaritas, soaking up the sun and watching the whales from our loungers! Paradise found. It’s right here at The Beach Club in @quiviraloscabos 
.
#quiviraloscabos #loscabos #quivira #quivirabeachclub #qlifecabo
    Saying goodbye to 2024 with a grateful heart. Can Saying goodbye to 2024 with a grateful heart. 
Can’t wait for all the adventures coming our way in 2025! Wishing you all a happy healthy New Year 🎉
    One of our best adventures of 2024. This trip to t One of our best adventures of 2024. This trip to the Grand Canyon was truly unforgettable. 
.
.
#roadtrip #arizona #grandcanyon #postcardsfromtheworld #letsgoeverywhere
    Woo hoo - another amazing HomeExchange! This week Woo hoo - another amazing HomeExchange! 
This week we felt all kinds of spoiled in our cozy accommodations in gorgeous Scottsdale. We hiked local trails, snuck in a little golf, drove with the top down, ate all the food, and enjoyed a sweet sunset in our own backyard. All because #Homeexchange provided us with a unique - almost free- way to stay in Arizona and see all the things! 

We had such an amazing time we’re already planning our next adventure! 
Want to plan an escape like this?
Follow the link in my bio to find out how you can plan your first or next Home Exchange.

https://spn.so/49qawpmk

@homeexchangecom #homeexchangepartner 
#homeexchangecom #homeexchange #HomeExchangePartner #LetsGoEverywhere #adventure #budgetfriendly #travel #luxurytravel
    About last night….. . #auroraborealis #londonont About last night…..
.
#auroraborealis #londonontario #ldnont
    It’s true. For the past 3 years we’ve been usi It’s true. For the past 3 years we’ve been using @homeexchangecom to take some epic vacations! 

Lake Como ✅
Cabo ✅
Scottsdale Arizona - on deck! 

If you’re ready for a new adventure sign up now through the affiliate link in my bio and you will automatically receive 250 points!!! ❤️
It’s easy, I promise. 

❤️Umm and if you have a cottage, a condo or second home, why are you not on Home Exchange?? Oh the places you can go! 

💕Drop a comment telling me your dream destination! 

#homeexchangepartner #homeexchange #travelhacks #letsgosomewhere #traveltips #familytravel
    This week my Hubby and I celebrate our 28th weddin This week my Hubby and I celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. Yup TWENTY EIGHT. How are we celebrating? Between work and family obligations it’s been tricky to make time for us. My solution… book a trip! 

For this adventure we’re once again turning to @homeexchangecom com One or my favourite ways to plan an epic vacation and see the world. 

In the past we’ve stayed in both Lake Como and Los Cabos.  Sigh, they were glorious trips!

Why try a HomeExchange?
HomeExchange offers a whole new experience to stay in real, authentic homes, and live like a local. HomeExchange allows you to stay in areas you never could with a traditional hotel experience. 
 Intrigued? Follow my link and see how easy it is to get started.

https://spn.so/49qawpmk
(Link also in profile)
PS I’m now searching for my next great trip? Which places are on your travel bucket list?

#HomeExchangePartner #MyHomeExchange #familytravel #beautifulplaces #familyadventures #canadiantravel #letsgoeverywhere #travelbucketlist
    Missing those Paris views…. thankful for the mem Missing those Paris views….
thankful for the memories ❤️
.
.
#Paris #tb #girlstrip #ParisFrance #parisfrance🇫🇷 #beautifuldestinations #postcardsfromtheworld
    Out of office …. . . #summervibes #boshkunglake Out of office ….
.
.
#summervibes #boshkunglake #canarvon
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Facebook

    Categories

    Blog Archive

    Copyright © 2009-2025 · Life in the Suburbs by KrizzyDesigns

    Copyright © 2025 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in