How to travel on a budget

I have no family at home or major ties that keep me at home every night. So instead of buying things, I invest my money and flexible time into travel experiences. Like my trip last week to Arizona. I find myself lucky to be able to work on the road. And I’ve discovered how to travel on a budget.

While I may not be the most frequent of fliers, I did travel enough to rack up over 60 flight segments and a good number of rental car miles last year. When you do have time for personal travel, there’s a smart way to do it so that travel can be done on a budget and trips do not drain the bank account.

7 tips for travel on a budget

Have a customer loyalty account with businesses – every company you do business with. These often come with perks, sign up bonuses and for most the points do not expire. Points = free nights/travel/stuff.
Be loyal to a few specific brands. Spread your points out among as few brands as possible. For example, I do my best to fly with only one airline, limit my hotel stays to a few select chains, and rent from the same car company.
Always make reservations with the brand, not third-party sites. Having loyalty with a brand isn’t only about status, though those perks are nice. When you’re in a pickle, booking with the brand and having status ranks you higher on their list, increasing your chances of getting help from the company when plans change.
Upload your itinerary and confirmation details to a calendar available on your phone. Google Calendar does this automatically from Gmail. Include your confirmation numbers and addresses in the event details to make navigation better and relieve the stress of planning logistics.
Use a credit card that will earn you points/miles for everything – the key is to pay it off each statement, just like your debit card. These points become free cash when you’re ready to spend on something like a trip. Airline cards also pay off in helping you earn free bags, early boarding, upgrade eligibility and greater access to customer service when flying.
Stash cash in a savings jar throughout the year. Loose change and single bills add up. Save your gift cards. This comes in handy for trips, a special meal and even gas for going around town.
Take food and drinks with you. My first stop on every trip is the grocery store. What I don’t pack in my bag (small items and dry goods), I will get cheaper at the local grocery. I carry a collapsible cooler for items like lunchmeat, yogurt, cheese, and milk. I carry a stainless steel mug for coffee refills and buy a jug of water. Bring electrolyte tabs for water if you need them. These items all add up in a hurry at convenience stores and restaurants. Limiting myself to one restaurant meal per day of a road trip, and eating out of the car cooler saves big bucks!

And a few bonus tips…