Traveling on a Budget - - Continued

"Welcome to the Sands Ocean Club, how may I help you?"
"I'm here to check in, reservations under ..."
"Where are your parents?"
"Why? The reservation is under my name"
"Are you sure?"

---

After proving I was old enough to reserve a hotel room without my parents, we made it to the hotel room, labeled "efficiency" room (a classy way to call it cheap), which was described to me as "a standard room, with a fridge, microwave, bathroom, two beds, and a view of the street." For $80 a night, though, I had no reason to complain, especially when this was our "non-ocean view" balcony.

After arriving, we gathered the small funds we had available, looked through some coupon books (found in the lobby), and decided to get some dinner. First place we found had a 10% off coupon, but after glancing at the menu, even after the 10%, we were looking at $30 a plate. We moved on. The second place, a cozy Italian restaurant at Barefoot Landing, was around $20 a plate. Being on a budget, this was still too much for us. Before sitting down anywhere, we looked at menus displayed outside of restaurants. Finally, we ended up at a pub with delicious $6 sandwiches and $3 beers. Although it was far from fancy dining, it was all we needed.

Next we made a trip to Walmart to buy any lunch food and drinks needed. This ended up saving us money on 4 meals, each.

---

For my first vacation coming from my own pocket, it turned out better than expected. We found deals at every corner possible. Various meals, activities, and drinks were half off, due to the holiday. A theme park in the area was running a special on the forth, where entrance was only $5. We even went to Medieval Times for 50% off.

Although I made a few impulse purchases (a poster here, a decorate piece there), I only spent $130 on the room, and less that $200 on food, purchases, activities, and gas.


I'm sure this saving wont be the case when I return from Europe.

Traveling on a Budget

Being the poor college student that I am, I know how difficult it can be to vacation without begging parents for money. Unfortunately, the paid vacations from my parents ended as soon as I decided I wanted to go on vacations without them. With that said, I haven't been on a vacation in about three years. Although I am a firm believer in saving up for a rainy day, I also believe that when those stormy days come and trap me in my house, I want to know that I have a photo album full for memories to keep me company.

With all of that in mind, I decided I was in need of a beach, sun, and a few days away from my windowless office, in which the only view I have is of a comic strip about administrative assistants taped to my off-white walls and a portrait of George Washington, whose eyes follow you around the room. About a month ago, my boyfriend and I looked over our finances to see if this was even possible, discovering we had maybe $300 each to put towards this vacation. Quickly, I went to work.

When traveling on a budget, you need to answer 3 questions:

1. What type of vacation do I want? (i.e. beach, amusement parks, night life, adventure, ect)
2. How much money do I have to work with?
   
3. How much time can I afford to take off of work?

Location, Location, Location
The type was pretty simple, for me at least. I wanted a beach, he wanted a nightlife, excitement, and someplace he has never been. When deciding on a place, always remember "location, location, location." If you find a place you can drive to, thats always better than flying. You can fit at least four people in most cars, and splitting the gas money between everyone helps in the overall expenses. Finally we decided on Myrtle Beach, SC (there's a beach, there's typically activities to find at night, and its only a six hour drive, split between two people).

Insert me here

Hotel
After settling on the location, re-evaluate the available resources to spend on a hotel. Hotels will probably be your biggest pain/worry in regards to cost, unless you shop correctly. When searching for a hotel, avoid hotel websites. Often the prices listed there are more expensive than using an outside website, such as hotels.com, expedia, and priceline.

Hotels can be tricky, depending on the number of people. Typically the lowest prices are the economy rooms, which include only the standards (two double beds, a tv, a mini-fridge, and a microwave --sometimes you are lucky, and you get a balcony as well). For those working on a budget, I recommend this type of room. Remember, you are on vacation, meaning you shouldn't be spending all of your time in the room. Its the place you sleep, not live. For the myrtle beach trip I chose an economy room, which included a balcony, for only $80 a night (meaning $40 a person). My only requirement for the room, was for it to be ON the beach. There are nicer rooms available for the price of an economy style room that include a living room, full kitchen, two bathrooms, and a bedroom, BUT most of the time they require walking to the beach, through various parking lots. You don't realize how refreshing hot sand can be on your feet after running through a parking lot on a hot summer day.

Oh beach, where could you be...

How long can I escape reality?
Deciding on how long you can afford to miss work and your real life is the next worry on your list. If your typical work week is 9-5 Monday through Friday, try to include the weekend on your trip. This will give you at least two days to work with, without worrying about using up all of your allotted vacation time. Additionally, try to book your vacation during an extended weekend or holiday your office is providing. In my office, we were awarded the Friday before forth of July, so I planned this vacation around this holiday break (Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5). My boyfriend works morning shifts, making him available by noon on Thursday, July 2. With all of this in mind, I took a half day July 2, and we are leaving that day, after my boyfriend's shift, to make the drive to Myrtle Beach. Due to the holiday weekend, I will only be missing one half day of work, giving me July 2 through July 4 to enjoy the beach, arriving home July 5, so I can be at work Monday morning.

Traveling on a budget can be hard, but if you plan ahead you can still have a great time for less money. Now that we've discussed the pre-trip planning, I will post upon my return about saving when you're actually on vacation.

...look out for Traveling on a Budget part 2...

Europe or Bust

"Look man, I'm telling you right off the bat I'm high maintenance. So I'm not gonna tip-toe around your marriage or whatever it is ya got goin' on there. If you wanna be with me, you're with me."
-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

As I begin my journey away from the ever popular livejournal adventure, that I have been devoted to since I was 15, I'm hoping to leave some type of mark on the world, or to at least stay motivated to keep this blog going.

For those of you who decide to keep an interest in my newest attempt at keeping a journal for longer than a month, should be warned, this journal or blog is to be used for my personal motivation. I want to see the world. I want to explore the unfamiliar. I want to see the sun set on the other side of the world. And I want to write about everything I see, feel, love, and hate. I'm a love it or hate it kind of girl, and this blog will quickly display this. Like many people in the real world and even on blogger world, I'm tired of waiting for my life to begin.

In one month from now I'll be going to Europe for the first time, seeing things I've only dreamed about. Of course, as many college students, a trip to Europe will ultimately leave me with a camera full of memories and a wallet full of nothing but receipts. Despite my financial instinct, I'm looking forward to this trip. And as I sit at this wooden desk, whose sidings are held together by scotch tape, of one of my two minimum wage jobs this summer, I'm hoping my saving is worth the trouble.