Posts for budget

How To Prepare For The Perfect Vacation

Travel Tips - Ross French - May 20, 2022

plan your trip

It’s almost summer, and after the way things have been the past couple of years, getting out and hitting the road or taking a well-deserved vacation is in order!

A little rest and relaxation are what the doctor ordered, and you can’t wait to head out and make some memories. But if you don’t plan your trip effectively, especially when you return, your trip will end up being more of a mistake than a reward.

In order to have the best vacation, you need to plan, set a budget for the trip and when you return, take care of things around the house, pack your things to be the most efficient, and keep them safe while you travel.

When you plan your trip, you need to create a checklist to leave no stones unturned. Continue Reading

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A Guide to Saving for Your Next Getaway

Travel Tips - Ross French - June 16, 2021

Getaway

Everyone deserves a chance to unwind and de-stress, and a vacation can provide an opportunity to do so. Yet, traveling to different corners of the globe is not cheap, which is why you may need to save up throughout the year to fund a much-needed break.

If you want to travel overseas in the near future, read this helpful guide to saving for your next getaway.

Create a Vacation Budget

Never run out of money by setting a vacation budget. You will need to factor in the cost of:

  • Accommodation
  • Flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Food and drink
  • Transportation
  • Activities
  • Travel insurance
  • Souvenirs

A vacation budget will ensure you do not need to count every penny at your destination and can enjoy your getaway.

Open a Savings Account

Once you have a vacation budget to work towards, you should open a credit union savings account that offers a competitive rate, 24-hour access, a dependable app, and automatic transfers between accounts. It will encourage you to set money aside for a trip each month, and it can make paying for a vacation feel much easier.

Cut Your Grocery Bill

You do not need to sacrifice freshness, quality, and good health when attempting to trim your grocery bill. You could make superb savings throughout the year by buying in-season produce and switching to cheaper ingredients.

Also, you could slash the cost of your grocery bill at the checkout by using coupon codes for various products. You can then add the money saved into your vacation fund.
Find Ways to Save Money

Cutting your grocery bill can increase your bank balance, but other clever tactics can improve your finances. For example, you should:

  • Use comparison services when buying online
  • Skip the daily chain coffee
  • Buy products from daily deal websites, such as Groupon
  • Use vouchers at restaurants
  • Car share with a colleague to work
  • Recycle an old smartphone or tablet for cash
  • Sell your unwanted possessions

Travel Off-Peak

Slash the cost of a trip by traveling to your desired destination during an off-peak season. It could help you stay at the same hotels and embrace the same excursions for a fraction of the costs during peak seasons.

Eat Local

Skip the expensive chain restaurants when on vacation and sample the local cuisine. For example, street vendors are not only much cheaper than commercial venues, but they will allow you to experience a nation’s many fantastic dishes. For example, if you are in Bangkok, you can enjoy fried rice or Baan Yai Phad Thai for as little as $1. So, step outside your comfort zone to save money during a getaway and enjoy many new and exciting flavors.

If you follow the above top tips, you could save a substantial amount of money to pay off your next vacation. Plus, you must look for ways to reduce your expenses once you arrive at a destination, such as taking public transport over a taxi, trying street vendor dishes, and swapping commercial attractions for hidden gems.

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3 Fantastic Things To Do In New York City

North America, Travel Blog - Ross French - July 21, 2016

New York City

There is something about New York City. It is one of the most memorable cities in the entire world. Known for its bright lights, vibrant energy, and the endless list of things to experience…there is a reason so many people long to visit. Is The Big Apple on your wish list? Have you been dreaming of an unforgettable vacation? Here are three fantastic things to do on a trip to New York City.

Do Some Serious Shopping. There is one thing we all love to do on vacation: go souvenir shopping. It is exciting to bring unique gifts home for friends and family. Oh, and splurge on ourselves a bit, too! Not to worry. There is no shortage of great shopping in NYC. In fact, the shopping in New York is legendary. There is absolutely everything to choose from. Whether you have an unlimited budget, something more modest, or fall somewhere in between. You can find unbelievable places to get your shop on. The city is full of traditional souvenir shops as well as mid-range stores (think Forever 21, the Disney Store, and other Times Square drawing cards). Then there are the high-end shops. 5th Avenue has it all. Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Armani, and Prada, to name a few! Whoever you are shopping for – and whatever your budget may be – New York City has what you want.3 Fantastic Things To Do In New York City 2

Go And See a Broadway Production. It simply isn’t a trip to The Big Apple without seeing a Broadway performance. It doesn’t matter if you choose a play or a musical…. the experience is one that cannot be missed. There are many different performances to choose from at the moment. (Hamilton is easily the most popular. Not to mention the hardest to get tickets for.) So take a look at the scheduled time of your trip. Then determine what is playing and book some tickets of your own. On a budget? That doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your Broadway experience. Just head to one of the many discount ticket boots in the city. They sell cheap tickets for same day performances. The selection might be a tad limited but it’s a great way to save some cash.3 Fantastic Things To Do In New York City 3

Check Out The Iconic Sights. It doesn’t end there! Your trip to New York City should also be packed with things to see. There are so many incredible sights! Like the iconic Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There is even the famous restaurant exterior from Seinfeld. Yes, the city boasts architecture, history, entertainment, and so much more. That is what makes New York such an exciting city to visit. You can customize your trip to match your interests. Just be sure to add Central Park to your travel itinerary. It allows you to slow down a little. The expansive grounds, large trees, and breathtaking sights will add to your vacation. Not to mention the Central Park Zoo, the restaurants, and the John Lennon memorial. Walk around and fall in love with New York City.

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