If you’re part of the thousands of people in the retail and hospitality industry, or your business is open right through until Christmas, chances are you have just been asked when you want to take some time off work.
November to February is the craziest and most full-on time of the year and businesses are mixing-up the rosters and trying to give everyone a chance to party before the silly season.
Chances are you won’t get a lot of time to plan this little holiday, and your rostered leave date is probably just around the corner so with you in mind I have come up with a list of some super cool and totally easy things you can do to keep your cash in your wallet while on holiday.
Here is what I’ve come up with…
BE FLEXIBLE – Flights
We both know that buying well in advance is the first step, but have you thought of what else you could do to get some cheap tickets?
Book a flight on a quiet day of the week, at an unusual time of the night/early morning and you’ll find your fare is cut almost in half. Yes, really!
Use the websites that list up all the airlines and prices then call your chosen airline directly and book through them. Some websites include a surcharge. We’d rather do without those!
http://www.directflights.com.au
http://www.cheapflights.com.au
Also if you travel at least twice a year I really recommend you join a travel club. There are discounts galore waiting for you in there. I love freebies. Clubs like the Qantas Frequent Flyer reward you with points each time you fly to spend on your next adventure using their airline and all other featured Partner Airlines.
http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/index
Your Frequent Flyer Membership card can also build up points with everyday shopping you do.
I’m positive you have heard the person over the counter ask you for an Everyday Rewards card at the petrol station or supermarket…this is how you earn points with everyday shopping!
https://www.everydayrewards.com.au/edr/wps/portal/rewards
Best tip though is find yourself a tight buddy in the industry – they fly almost for free.
GET CREATIVE – Dining
Go for hotel rooms with kitchen facilities. You’ll have breakfast, lunch, dinner, desert and all the other snacks in here. All DIY. No chefs to pay, waiters to tip or bills to fork out for, plus this kitchen is open 24 hours! Enough said?
I love eating out, so I understand you can’t stay couped up in your box your entire holiday, so think about searching the menus for all the protein-packed plates. This will make you stay full for longer saving you those extra stops at Macca’s for a cheeseburger. I always try avoid too many salty snacks too, they only get followed by drink after drink which means transaction after transaction.
And now don’t be too shy to ask some of the locals where the best restaurants and cafes are. They are reluctant to pay for over priced meals and average dining experiences just like you so take their advice.
Jay in the office told me about www.yelp.com where you can find out loads of local knowledge and ‘real reviews from real people’ on anything from restaurants to shops, to medical centres and information on real estate in your holiday destination. Even cooler is that there is a Yelp app you can download to your phone so you can use it on the go!
TRY SOMETHING NEW - To bunk or not to bunk?
Everybody has a preference on how they like to sleep and what they like to wake up to, on or with! But if you changed your prespective, and thought of accommodation not as a ‘home away from home’ but as somewhere where you can watch the inside of your lids for about 8 hours a night, you could possibly sleep absolutely anywhere.
Maybe even a backpacker hostel? You’ve got everything you need here. Kitchen facilities for all your masterchef classes, showers and loos, perhaps a tiny bar, a mattress, cushion, and a roof over your head all for the price of a few pizzas!
Backpacker grounds are next to always right in the city so that’s fantastic that you can just walk straight to the beaches, cafe’s and shops. Look at the sights, soak in the vibe and meet the people to get a true experience of your holiday destination.
DO THE RESEARCH – Getting Around
Small car rental companies closer to town and that don’t have facilities at the airport are the best for value.
Among the charges and fees car rental companies ask for, franchises that are based at airports have an ‘airport fee’ because they know some people will pay that extra just to have that priviledge, so check out all the companies available not just the most convenient.
Save some extra coin by finding out if your home insurance covers rental cars so you can kindly decline their offers for accident and cover costs. You are silly to pay for insurance twice!
Make sure you reserve a small car, even though they might only show large vehicles on their ads – might mean less leg space, but it means you will spend less time in the car and also a shorter stop to the petrol station before you return the vehicle. But better yet, if you’re covering short distances, just WALK everywhere! It’s great for your heart, it’s amazing for the soul and you slash rental car fees, petrol prices and your carbon footprint on our planet.
Saving cash and saving the planet…
Who knew you were even on holiday?
I know these quick snappy ideas have got your mind thinking sideways and opening up other ideas on how you can cut back on some of your spending on your next weekend getaway.
I’ve tried them so let me know how they worked for you? Definitely DO SHARE all your extra bits of knowledge with me. Anyone who can save a coin in my purse is a great friend.
This is your chance to unwind and get back into 1st gear before summer hits so take off that name badge, get out of those work clothes and get those suitcases out!
Bye for now,
Catie Cash- Best Deals Diva
