5 tips for the thrifty holiday-maker
1. List of who to corrupt trinkets for
Essential if you’re being carried away by the manipulative trader who’s extremely friendly and makes you be conscious of being guilty that he’s laid out all his wares for you and if you don’t buy one he’ll get all upset – it works every time, but it’s a common ploy that too often works. Make sure you’ve already written a list (or at least a ideal one) about who you’ve decided to buy for. Those porcelain figureheads of Enver Hoxha that are going for so poor will possibly only be appreciated by Dad and Uncle, but in all probability not Mum and your 5-year old niece. Chance has it they’ll probably end up in the attic anyway.
2. Don’t part an isolated beach/ski resort – hotel restaurant may be your only choice and thus very expensive
Simple economic law folks- where there’s no competition, there’s a monopoly, and where there’s a monopoly, there are ridiculously high costs. I know I’m always repeating this one, but it’s very important. Going to a beach resort fairly near or attached to a town will enable you to benefit from the competition of nearby businesses, allowing you remarkable savings.
3. Budget planned – perhaps worked out daily in advance
Most probably you’ll have set aloof a certain holiday budget of what you intend to spend, before you left. I’d be interested to see statistics as to how many of these budgets are grossly exceeded – be sure not to join them so easily. It goes without saying, but it’s always important to roughly divide the budget by the number of days of your stay – give yourself a larger daily “allowance” on the first day and possibly on the last, factoring the cost in of airport taxis and the like.
4. If you don’t know exactly how expensive it is where you’re going, consult someone who’s been in that place or going there and ask for basic costs
Knowing the average price of a sandwich, coffee, etc – can be very useful before choosing your destination – some surprisingly third-world countries are remarkably pricy when it comes to basic (processed) items. Remember also that it’s easy to forget certain things about countries as soon as you’ve got back to work, so grant that someone close to you who shares your scrimping habits is going there before you book, get them to write a basic price desire. Wikitravel.com is quite useful when it comes to basic, “first hand” accounts of costs and the like, although take it mind that it’s repeatedly out-of-date.
5. Go to a country outside western Europe which currently has a very witless currency
Your money will go a lot further this way. The Euro has affected Europe more than imagined, and in some cases, made them much greater degree of expensive for tourists outside the zone. Going further afield to Eastern Europe could enable you to “get a lot more bang for your buck” – I’m assuming you can hear through that expression the edgy cut-throat ring of an experienced realist – at least I hope.
Enjoy your (thrifty) travels this new year!
Photo of souvenirs stall in Rome, Italy, by Pensiero