Have you ever wondered how those Instagram stars travel everywhere in the world and never seem to run out of money? With COVID restrictions lifting, you may be considering finally taking a vacation! Make the most out of your dollar and do these four things to save money on travel.

Travel Out of Season

Each destination you visit has a busy season and a slow one. The key is to go in between the time when tourists flood the streets and the time when businesses shut down — you're aiming for the "cooling down period." Many destinations that are high on bucket lists across the country are still beautiful, perhaps even more so when you don't have to fight for space, one or two months out of peak season.

Start Looking for Flights Now

When traveling on a budget, you need to put in some work to get the sweet reward. Search high and low and don't trust a single site to get you that elusive deal. There are plenty of flight apps and web pages, and even popular search engines are a great resource. Start tracking your particular flight early — notice when prices rise and when they fall so that you'll be ready to buy when they hit rock bottom. Buying flights one way at a time can save hundreds of dollars, and planning early has actually been shown to brighten your mental state!

Consider Airbnbs or VRBOs

Once you've decided when, where, and how you're getting to your dream destination, consider where you're staying. A hotel offers none of the comforts of home — no kitchen, no washer and dryer, no yard, and really no space at all. Popular sites like Airbnb and VRBO offer comfortable homes tailored to any taste for prices that either rival hotels in the area or are actually cheaper. For the more adventurous traveler, home swapping is also an option. Do you live in a cute, desirable place? Offer up your space and you could find yourself traveling to a new destination on the cheap.

Eat Like a Local

Now you're in the city, sightseeing, walking, and absorbing the culture. You've built up an appetite — where do you eat? The number one tip is to avoid menus with pictures. This is especially true when traveling to different countries, where tourist-facing restaurants will offer pizza or chicken tenders for twice what they should cost. Keep walking, go a little further outside of the main strip or square. Anywhere close to a tourist attraction is overpriced, and putting some distance between you and the crowds is well worth it. One memorable experience: walking two miles outside of a city center, finding a tiny cafe, and having a 4-course meal for the cost of a Subway sandwich — wine, salad, entree, and dessert included.

Just remember that when planning and traveling, there are always more options. Keep looking, keep digging, and you will find the trip that is right for you at the right price. Keep checking back to the Kratos Gas & Power blog for more great lifestyle tips.