The summer holidays are coming up quickly and most of us would love to get away, even if it’s just for a mini-break or a quick escape overseas. Bali, Japan, Fiji, Thailand, Singapore, and New Zealand – all of these destinations are only a flight away but feel like a world away from the everyday hustle, bustle and laundry piles. If you’d prefer to stay in Australia, there are so many holiday hot spots, from tropical islands to city escapes.
Venturing away from home is not only great for breaking up the (often too long) summer holidays but also for making magical memories with the family and exposing the kids to the wonders of travel and different cultures.
But, it’s not great for the budget. Flights, accommodation, food and activities will make a big dent in your bank account, but there are ways to travel on a budget.
Scroll down for your chance to WIN 1 of 3 x $500 eGift Cards thanks to our friends at Travel Insurance Direct – TID. You can use it to put towards your next holiday or shopping spree. But first, have a read of our top tips for sticking to a budget when travelling with your family.
How to Travel on a Budget: Setting a Travel Budget
First things first, set yourself a travel budget. Going into a holiday without knowing how much it will cost or how much you can afford to spend can result in serious financial strain.
Sit down and decide how much you expect to spend on the main aspects of the trip, including:
- ACCOMMODATION (hotel, caravan park fees, etc)
- FLIGHTS OR FUEL FOR DRIVING HOLIDAY (including public transport and Ubers along the way)
- MEALS & SNACKS (meals out, groceries if eating in)
- ACTIVITIES & SHOPPING (Theme park passes, tickets, souvenirs)
- TRAVEL INSURANCE
- MISCELLANEOUS (this is an important one to include as there will always be extra expenses not accounted for)
How to Cut Costs on Your Travel BudgetÂ
To cut down on the cost of flights:
- 1. SUBSCRIBE: Be sure to sign up for email alerts with the airlines and destination resorts/hotels etc. This way, you can keep track of the sales.
- 2. PLAN: Get savvy and save money by planning and travelling off-peak. Some factors that cause airfares to increase (or decrease) include busy seasonal travel periods and whether several airlines offer the same route. The more on offer, the cheaper the flight so consider this when looking at routes too.
- 3. TIME YOUR FLIGHTS: Weekend flights are pricey, so if possible, aim to fly mid-week, either early in the morning or late at night. You’ll likely find great discounts. Being flexible and travelling during off-peak times can lead to significant savings. Travel experts believe that the best time to book flights is Sundays and 14 weeks before flying. The best day to fly for cheap is Friday after 3pm.
- 4. CLEAR YOUR CACHE: Before booking your flights online, clear your computer’s cache (temporary internet files). Prices can change often, and old prices may still be stored on your device, meaning you might miss out on lower rates!
How to cut down on the cost of luggage:
- 5. COMPRESS YOUR GEAR: Consider vacuum bags for your belongings so you can fit more in less space
- 6. USE A PACKING LIST: By working with a travel packing list, you can often save having to buy items you could easily bring from home.
- 7. WEIGH BEFORE YOU GO: Make sure you weigh your bags before you leave the house to avoid the dreaded oversized luggage fee. This one can sting! Also, invest in a pair of hand-held luggage scales and bring them with you to shuffle your bags and avoid repacking at the airport (or dreaded overweight fees!)
To cut down on the cost of food and snacks:
- 8. PLAN AHEAD:Â Think about what you can buy beforehand which may include snacks, tea/coffee if you have a favourite, vegemite, snacks for the flight/transit and drinks. Stock up on flight essentials before you arrive at the airport, such as gum and lollies to give the kids something to suck on while they are in the air.
To cut down on the cost of accommodation:
- 9. BOOK FLEXIBLE: Try to book a place with free cancellation as a backup first. What we often do is book two or three places (one extra budget, one medium and one a little bit fancy) and then decide down the road which one is best for our budget, based on all the other expenses. Cancelling is easy provided you stay on top of the cancellation dates.
- 10. SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION: Staying in a self-contained apartment or home can save you a packet. Not only will you enjoy so much room to relax and enjoy your time away, but you can also cook your meals, prep food and generally save a packet. Eating out every meal can easily set you back $50 -$100 each time, whereas you can now grab the basics at a nearby supermarket and eat breakfast and lunch in the hotel if possible. Pack plasticware, drink bottles and zip-lock bags to pack snacks when you are out and about during the day.
To cut down on the cost of activities:
- 11. BUY BEFORE YOU GO: Not all activities can be purchased in advance, but you can usually save when buying tickets online. Just be sure there is a cancellation policy in place in case someone gets sick or doesn’t want to do the activity anymore.
- 12. FIND THE FREEBIES: Make sure you look for free activities when travelling, too. Beaches, hikes, museums and new playgrounds are great.
- 13. PACK ACTIVITIES: Another good idea is to pack some activities for ‘downtime’. Head to Kmart before you go and grab some cheap activity books, colouring sets, puzzles, board games and maybe even a little teddy per child to keep the kids busy when travelling (and less likely to request constant snacks or beg for aeroplane Beanie Boos which are crazy expensive).
To cut down on the cost of souvenirs and shopping:
- 14. ALLOCATE BUDGETS: Make sure the kids understand the budget and what this means. Perhaps give them $50 spending money each, and they can choose what to buy. Airport gift shops are a big one too. Skip the gift shop if you can! I remember spending $90 on ugly aeroplane pillows at the airport that the kids didn’t need. They used the pillows once and lost them in Canada.
- 15. BE FIRM ON EXCESSIVE SPENDING: Learning to say no to the kids begging and teaching them to be grateful for what they are doing is a mega budget-saver.
To cut down on unexpected costs:
- 16. CONSIDER TRAVEL INSURANCE: We all know life’s better with a few extra holidays, and our friends over at Travel Insurance Direct (TID) couldn’t agree more. But let’s face it, things don’t always go exactly as planned (even for well-organised mums!) – that’s where TID comes in. With their expertise, cover and top-level service, they can help you stay on track and keep your stress levels nice and low. They take care of the important stuff so you can focus on the holiday fun.
- Kids go for free – Your kids under 21 can be added to your plan for free ^.
- Trip interruptions – Booking cancellations, travel delays and missed connections.
- Overseas medical – Unlimited+ cover for overseas medical, hospital & ambulance bills.
- Valuables – Protect your luggage and valuables that you bring on your trip.
- Rental car insurance excess – Help cover car hire insurance excess if your rental gets damaged or stolen.
Learn more about what’s covered.
We’ve got an exclusive discount from Travel Insurance Direct to help protect you and your family on your next holiday. Â
Mum Central readers can SAVE 12%* on their travel insurance policy with Travel Insurance Direct. Simply use promo code MUM12 to bank your savings! Be quick, as this offer ends on 30 November 2024. Â
Be sure to also enter the competition to be in the running to WIN 1 of 3 $500 eGift Cards to put towards your next family holiday.
Win 1 of 3 $500 eGift Cards for your next holiday!
Are you ready for a holiday? Our friends at Travel Insurance Direct are here to make your travel dreams come true. They’re giving 3 lucky Mum Central readers a $500 eGift Card each to put towards their next getaway! These gift cards can be used across a number of travel providers, including AirBnB, Accor Hotels, Hotels.com, Luxury Escapes and Webjet.
You can also treat yourself to experiences such as Ticketmaster, Event Cinemas, Endota Spa, and RedBalloon.
And if that isn’t enough, you can also use it on a shopping spree at Kmart, Big W, Coles, Woolworths, Apple, THE ICONIC, Myer, Dymocks, IKEA, Temple & Webster, and so many more! See the full list in the T&Cs.
To enter, complete the entry form below and you’re in the running! Entries close 31 October 2024 AEST 11.59PM.
GOOD LUCK!
This is a sponsored post for Travel Insurance Direct – TID.
*12% discount offer valid until 30 November 2024 11:59 PM AEDT. The discount applies to the total TID travel insurance premium when getting a quote using promo code MUM12. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty, charitable donations or any changes you make to the policy. Travel Insurance Direct has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount.
^ Dependent children are covered for free provided they are under 21 years old at the date you purchase your policy, are working less than 30 hours per week, are travelling with you on the same itinerary and are listed on your Certificate of Insurance.
+ Up to one year from the date of injury or illness. Subject to all terms and conditions of the PDS.
Consider the PDS, TMD and if the product is right for you. Issuer: Pacific International Insurance. Â
