I've done a fair bit of travel since I began school at The University of Miami. I've gone to music festivals in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Live Oak, Florida. For spring break of my freshman year, I went to Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana just because I could. And it was surprisingly affordable. Here's how you can save money and still experience new places, people, and food:
1. Take public transportation.
Eff Uber.
Most cities and suburbs outside cities are connected by buses, boats, and metro systems. Google Maps is usually updated with bus and metro routes (just put in your destination and hit the little train icon). Cities like New York, Miami, and New Orleans have all bus routes in the Google Maps system. Cities like Jacksonville, Florida and Mobile, Alabama do have public transit, but you won't find the routes on Google Maps. However, a quick Google search will give you transit maps and times!
2. Go to the supermarket.
Food is the number one reason I see my friends going broke. Eating out is EXPENSIVE. When I travel, I eat out about one meal a day and go to the supermarket to buy fruit, veggies and hummus, trail mix, granola bars, bread, peanut butter and jelly, and tuna packets to eat for breakfast and lunch. Then for dinner I go out and experience a local restaurant. The same goes for when you're home, you save a lot by preparing your own food rather than eating out or ordering delivery.
3. Look at your travel options.
Airplanes and cars aren't the only ways to travel long distances. There are buses and trains that go almost everywhere in the USA and they're almost always cheaper than flying or driving. If you book MegaBus tickets in advance, you can get $1 and $5 fares. I've gone from Miami, Florida to Mobile, Alabama (about 700 miles) for $4.25 by taking the bus. It takes a little longer, so it requires a little patience, but if you're not willing to sit back and enjoy the journey, then you must not want to travel that badly!
4. Buy clothes used and electronics refurbished.
Go thrifting for your clothes. Jackets, jeans, flannels, dresses, and skirts are awesome things to buy at thrift prices. (Basics like socks and undies are probably better off bought new. ) Cameras and phones can be bought lightly used or refurbished on Amazon.com and other tech sites. They usually come with a warranty so if you receive your product and something ain’t right, you can return it or exchange it. Just make sure you check the warranty and read it carefully. I saved about $200 buying an iPhone 6 gently used and it works perfectly.
5. Protect the belongings you already have.
Buy a sturdy case for your phone and use a screen protector.
Keep your camera in a case whenever you aren't using it.
Keep your belongings close to you and don't leave them unattended.
They're just things and they can be replaced, but you save a lot of money by not having to fix or replace your items!
6. Buy your alcohol at the liquor store and your cigarettes in bulk.
Experiencing nightlife and music in a new city can be very exciting for some travelers. If you are of age to drink or smoke, you can save a lot of money by purchasing alcohol at a liquor or convenience store rather than at the bar or club. Stocking up on a bulk package of cigarettes from online or the supermarket can also help you save money.
7. Try alternatives to staying in a hotel.
Go camping, stay at a hostel, crash on a friend’s or relative’s couch, or try a hospitality network like Couchsurfing. Couchsurfing has no cost and often comes with many benefits like being able to befriend a local, a space to cook and store food, and access to bikes or even cars to use. Of course, use your best judgement when couchsurfing and check for any severe weather before camping. But these are fantastic ways to break the cost of hotels and motels and give you a bit of an alternative experience!
Travel doesn't have to break your wallet and you don't have to say goodbye to your life savings by taking a week to travel during spring break!
