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How to travel frugally
If you have the travel bug, do not worry! A vacation away does not have to break the bank. Below are some suggestions for frugal travel from the Travel Channel:
- Travel during the off-season –Tours, lodging, and even food is often discounted during the travel “off-seasons.” Consider trekking through Europe in the winter or visiting the Caribbean during the summer months (although this is considered hurricane season, so travel with caution!)
- 2. Fly on an off-peak day or time – Flights generally cost much less on a Monday or Tuesday than they do on Thursdays or Fridays. Also keep in mind that the second flight of the day is less expensive than the first.
- Skip hotels –Sometimes, hotel rates can skyrocket. If that is the case, consider finding lodging through an app such as Airbnb, which can sometimes save you money while also giving you more space and amenities.
- Avoid renting a car – Make a point of researching your destination’s public transportation or ridesharing app capabilities ahead of time. Usually, utilizing these options can save you money over renting a car. When possible, opt to walk around your destination. There is no better way to explore a new city – and you will skip paying for transportation all together.
- Eat a fancy lunch – If you are planning to have one “fancy” meal a day on your vacation, make sure to have that meal at lunch rather than dinner. Many restaurants have lunch dishes similar or identical to their dinner menus for a lower cost. In Europe, multi-course lunch specials are common and affordable.
While you are daydreaming about your next bucket-list vacation or road trip, why not get a hold of your finances and make it a reality by budgeting for travel expenses. Easily forgettable expenses, like toll booths and parking fees, are easily forgotten, and don’t forget about those monthly bills that never take a vacation.
Create a plan before you embark on your next trip or keep your budget just a click away by checking out a few of the best budgeting apps for travelers according to SMARTERTRAVEL.
How to improve your financial literacy
April is Financial Literacy Month. Both a celebration and a challenge, this month is a chance for your members to reflect on the state of their personal finances and an opportunity to improve their financial well-being, one step at a time. Help your members along their financial literacy journey with some suggestions from Athene:
- Subscribe to financial newsletters –Financial newsletters from trusted sources can put free financial news in your inbox. To start, try Athene’s Smart Strategies, designed to help you take your financial journey to the next level with expert advice on finances and lifestyle.
- Listen to financial podcasts – Podcasts can help you brush up on financial information while you are on the go. For ideas, check out U.S. News and World Report’s Best Personal Finance Podcasts to Listen To.
- Read personal finance books –Explore Insider’s 17 best personal finance books for 2021 to get you started.
- Start keeping a budget – All the general financial know-how in the world will not mean much if you do not know where your own money is going each month. Start tracking your spending and set up a budget using a simple spreadsheet or applications.
- Talk to a financial professional – Sometimes, you just need to ask an expert. Financial professionals, like those at a local credit union, can help you assess your current situation and help you stay on a track that works best for you.