The Best Budget Travel Tip I've Ever Learned - Compare Everything

This post was written by Elle over at Odd Cents as a part of Yakezie blog swap #17.

I love to travel. The excitement of going to another country is a feeling that never gets old. But for some reason, that excitement is the climax of an exercise that may or may not be filled with good, memorable experiences which characterize the trip planning process. For me, the best budget travel tip that I could ever give anyone is to compare any and everything. From choosing your the destination right back to deciding what type of transportation that you will be using, comparisons certainly go a long way and can save you a lot of money. Sites like Expedia and Orbitz are extremely useful when comparing airlines and accommodation and even offer honest reviews by other travelers.

Compare Destinations

 Let’s imagine that you’re you’ve made up in your mind that you want to go on vacation, but you’re on a tight budget. The first thing to do is to decide where you want to visit. Comparing destinations islands is not hard, thanks to the internet and honest traveller reviews. What specific experience are you looking for? What activities would interest you? These are some of the questions that you can ask yourself to narrow down your list of possible vacation spots. You should make a note of some of the important details which would make your vacation perfect.

Compare Airlines, Airfares and Accessibility 

One factor that has significant bearing on where you’d like to go is the airfare. Airfares can fluctuate based on a variety of factors, and unfortunately the airfare to the more popular destinations will undoubtedly be higher. When choosing your destination, bear in mind the days of the week that you prefer to travel and whether or not the airline that you’ve chosen flies on that particular day. When I was planning a trip to New York, I checked the two airlines that operated daily flights and I chose the cheaper one – both of them were departing at the same time on the same day.

Compare Hotels and Accommodation 

After you’ve chosen your airline and specific days to travel, you have to compare hotels. If you’re working with a budget, this is easy because many hotels list their rates up front. You should also use maps where possible to see what interesting spots are in close proximity to the hotel. Like I said earlier, Expedia and Orbitz are useful and can be put to use for this comparison. A couple years ago, when I was going to Grenada, I set a figure that I was willing to pay and searched for hotels in that price range. What separated them were the amenities, breakfast and location.

Compare Modes of Transportation 

The next step is to compare modes of transportation. This can be impacted by the location of the hotel. If your hotel is close to public transportation, then you might not need a car. However, if you’re in a more rural area, then a rental car might your best bet. Taxis can be pricey, so make sure that your budget can handle it. When comparing the costs, bear in mind the places that you want to go and how close they are to your hotel.

Comparisons can definitely help you to save some money when planning your vacation. Make a list of the things that are important and jot down the possibilities that suit you. Tackle each category (destination, airlines and airfares, accommodation and transportation) in the specific order listed. Be honest with your comparisons and make sure that your needs are met.

Photo by Elle.

Best and Worst Jobs - Yakezie Blog Swap #12

(This post is by Kay Lynn Akers as part of the Yakezie blog swap #12. Kay Lynn writes about money and life on the way to retirement at Bucksome Boomer (which is where you can read my post on the same topic).

Certain jobs seem really great. Play time as kids might have included pretending we had those careers. We wanted to be astronauts, movie stars and rock musicians. The only one of those I had a real shot at was being an astronaut and science courses didn't appeal to me. My perspective's changed over time and now I think more about the traits of the ideal job versus the actual role.

Traits of the Best Job in the World

1. High Pay: The best job would result in an income high enough to live well and save for the future.

2. Flexible: Having the ability to control your own schedule makes a big difference in job satisfaction. Being able to start your day when you want is why lots of people like their job.

3. Fun: I know there's no job that is fun 100% of the time, but it's got to be fun most of the time! Life's too short to not enjoy it.

4. Self-Directed: Just because a job is flexible, doesn't mean you control what you do and when. Being able to determine what you will work on and when is imperative.

5: Challenging: I want a position that makes me think and grow. Working in the technology field gives me that on a daily basis. All these criteria add up to the job of Entrepreneur. Starting your own business can give you all of the above plus more. It's the best job in the world.

Worst Job in the World

The opposite of the above traits makes for a pretty bad job. Add an unpleasant work environment to it and it's a contender for the worst job in the world. If you've watched the TV show, Dirty Jobs, you know about some of those roles. Cleaning out septic tanks, collecting garbage, and more. But there's dignity in honest work no matter how hard or awful the job. The worst job in the world is not having one when you want it. Yes, being unemployed is the worst job! It's never too late to think about giving yourself the best job in the world; being your own boss.

What steps are you taking to have the best job?

I'm in for the Yakezie Challenge

I have decided to accept the Yakezie Challenge.

I solemnly affirm that I will post 2-4 times a week, and take great efforts to link to other amazing writing about money, life, and the intersection of money and life.  I will do so for the next 6 months (at least!), and, in the end, I plan to grow as a personal finance writer, and, dare I say, a human being.

It's kind of a no-brainer, actually.  I already post about that much, and I enjoy linking to other personal finance bloggers whom I enjoy.  Now I'll just be doing a whole lot more of it.  I look forward to joining this community.