The Best Tips for Planning an Awesome Getaway on a Budget

*Note: This is a guest post submitted to All Things Wanderful by Lucy Reed, creator of GigMine.

Maybe you and your girlfriends are looking for a weekend trip just for yourselves; perhaps you and the hubby want to get away from the city and lie on the beach for a week. Whatever your plans are, rest assured that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to make them happen. Now more than ever, it’s easy to find cheap flights and deals on lodging; you just have to know where to look and when to book.

Here are some of the best tips for planning a trip on a budget.

Book Early

Once you’ve decided where you want to go, hop online to see what the best deals are for flights, hotels, and more. It’s best to do this in advance, although if you’re taking a last-minute trip you can still find deals.

Consider what time of year you’ll be leaving; is it peak time for your destination? It’ll be much cheaper if you go in the off-season, or if you book early you might get a deal on a room. Keep this in mind and try to be flexible with your dates; in fact, if you have concrete vacation time away from work and you know it won’t be a problem to take time off, go ahead and book first before you even bring it up to your boss. That way, you won’t miss out on deals while waiting for the go-ahead from the office.

Pack Conservatively, but Wisely

Resist the urge to pack every single outfit you own. Otherwise, you may be in for a rude awakening when you plop your suitcase down on the scale at the airport. Your airline won’t hesitate to charge you an extra fee if your bag exceeds their size and weight limits. Instead, pack essentials that can be interchanged easily so that you have a lot of outfit options without having to throw in everything you own. It’s all about quality, not quantity!

Aside from your wardrobe, there are other considerations to be made when it comes to packing. Since you’ll likely have your phone on you at all times (with all of the best travel apps downloaded, of course), be sure you have everything you need for it, like a power bank to keep it fully-charged and a protector to keep your screen scratch-free during impromptu photoshoots. If you’re going somewhere sunny, bring plenty of sunscreen (even if it will be cold). Lastly, bring a laundry bag to separate your worn clothes from your fresh ones.

Do Some Research

Before your trip, sit down with your family or traveling group to find out what everyone wants to do as far as entertainment. You can most likely find a Groupon or a website deal for touristy things like snorkeling, whale-watching cruises, and entrance into theme parks, especially if you have a large group. Some resorts offer all-inclusive packages, which might be something you’ll want to consider as well, but if not, no worries. You can look online for ways to save at restaurants.

Before You Go…

In all of the hubbub of your travel planning, don’t forget to plan for while you’re gone. The last thing you want is news of a break-in while you’re off enjoying some R&R. Make a point to secure your home and alert your neighbors that you’ll be gone. Better yet, see if someone can stop in and change up the lights, get your mail, and make it look less appealing to potential burglars. Also, stop your mail and don’t post anything on social media until you get home.

Don’t forget to consider how much you’ll need to spend on gas, snacks, shopping, and other incidentals while you’re away. If you want to stay active during your trip and will be renting a bike or taking a guided hiking tour, plan for that cost as well. It’s much easier to have a good figure in mind before you leave than waiting until you’re there and playing it by ear.

Stash Those Credit Cards

One of the easiest ways to save money on a trip is to use cash and save the credit cards for emergencies or lodging expenses only. Setting aside a certain amount of cash for each day of the trip will help you see how much you’re spending and will keep you on budget; just remember not to flash your cash in public, and keep it someplace safe when you’re at your hotel or rental.

Taking a trip doesn’t have to break the bank. If you plan ahead and plan well, your vacation can be stress-free and on the money.