Just a Few $$$ Tips...

Before we get into each category, I wanted to give you a few money-saving things to look into. These may or may not apply to you, or your destination, but the big savings are definitely worth a few minutes of research.


  • This one might seem pretty self explanatory, but.. have you checked out Groupon? Search your destination - you may find deals on food, events, places to visit. Deals change daily, so keep an eye on this one, even after you decide on an itinerary.
  • Where do you work?  I work for a very large retailer, and we have access to a ton of deals through a benefit consultant company.  I've saved on hotels, rental cars, tickets, sending flowers, and more, through my employer. Your company might have something similar. Ask your HR professional. Corporate discount codes for the win!
  • Shop around! We recently booked a weekend getaway to an Ohio River cabin in Southern Indiana. I googled the name of the rental company, and found vastly different rates via Airbnb, VRBO, and booking directly through the provider. In this same vein, some hotel chains will match lower rates found on travel websites. I've always had better experiences booking directly with the provider, so if I can do that and save money, I'm there.

  • Provider loyalty programs - hotels, rental cars, airlines all have loyalty programs. Points you can redeem for future stays/rentals/flights. Lower rates. It's definitely a win to build up those points.  Last year, we booked a hotel in Kentucky for free. And drove there in a free rental car, just from using the points we had accumulated from other adventures. Romantic weekend getaway, and all we had to pay for was the food and wine.

What are your favorite ways to save cash while traveling? Let me know in the comment section!

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