Seven tips to travel on a budget

Does it feel like ages since your last holiday? Maybe with responsibilities like paying off your credit card, saving for your first home, or paying back your university fees, your next holiday still seems a long way off…

Well, don’t despair. There are plenty of ways to take a break without breaking the budget.

1. Go social

Check out travel hubs like Trip Advisor and The Savvy Backpacker to decide where to go, what to look for and how to get the best bargains once you arrive.

2. Keep your eye on the exchange rate

Before booking an overseas holiday work out what your Aussie dollar is worth in other currencies. Why? The recent fall in the value of our dollar means holidaying overseas may be more expensive than you realise. It may be worth looking at local holiday options too.

3. Get the best deal

Compare prices using online aggregators like Skyscanner, Webjet and Wotif and sign up for e-newsletters from travel providers to find out about specials. Check out Channel Nine’s hottest Getaway travel deals, which feature different holiday deals on a weekly basis.

4. Go at the right time

Take advantage of earlybird deals and avoid school or public holidays.

5. Travel with friends or family

More people can mean more savings on tours, car hire and hotel rooms.

6. Package it up

Combine airfares with accommodation, day tours and even meals to save money ahead of time and avoid nasty surprises if the exchange rate changes.

7. Start saving

Become savvy at saving by looking at how successful savers go about it. Why not use some handy tools to help you along, like AMP’s savings calculator, MoneySmart’s TrackMySPEND app or check out MoneyBrilliant, all of which can help you organise your personal finances.

Don’t forget wherever you’re going next—planning makes perfect! Get in touch today and let us help you with your plans!

What you need to know

Invest Blue Limited ABN 91 100 874 744 Trading as Invest Blue is an Authorised Representative and Credit Representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee and Australian Credit Licensee . Any advice contained in this document is of a general nature only and does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. Before making any decision, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice with regard to those matters. If you decide to purchase or vary a financial product, your advisers, our practice, AMP Financial Planning, its associates and other companies within the AMP Group may receive fees and other benefits, which will be a dollar amount and/or a percentage of either the premium you pay or the value of your investments. Ask us for more details.