7 Creative Ways to Save Money on Holidays

Holidays are fun, but they can also get expensive! After paying for your accommodation, plane tickets and gas, it makes a huge difference to your bottom line when you utilize some creative money-saving strategies while gallivanting on new adventures.

I think we can all agree that the world would be a better place if everyone took much-needed breaks more often! With that in mind, we consulted our resident wunderlusters to share their best traveling-on-a-shoestring budget tips. Turns out that trip you’ve been putting off might be more affordable and accessible than you first thought!

Here’s 7 smart money-saving strategies that’ll shrink your holiday budget considerably:

7. make your to-go coffee in the room!

Visiting a café for your morning caffeine fix can really add up over the days. One great way to save money is to pack your own coffee or tea rather than paying for overpriced restaurant lattes!

Before you leave the hotel, brew yourself a hot beverage in a vacuum-sealed tumbler like the Greens Steel BEAST Tumbler. This handy travel cup is specially designed for coffee on the go, and it comes with a vacuum-sealed lid for ultimate peace of mind. Your morning reviver will stay piping hot and spill-proof for hours while you explore!

6. Discover Incredible Free Activities

We all know the old adage, “the best things in life are free”. This applies to travel destinations too - you just need to know where to look.

Steer clear of timeshare salespeople trying to lure you in with free activities in return for attending their sales pitch… Instead, check out local area websites and bulletins to learn about free concerts, markets, art exhibits and more.

In fact, do yourself a favor and avoid overly touristy areas completely, as they're more likely to suck money out of your wallet than give you memorable experiences.

5. Take a Refillable Water Bottle

A refillable water bottle can save you lots of money by negating the need to buy new bottles every few hours when you get thirsty. Pack along your Greens Steel Water Bottle and refill it every time it runs low.

It comes with a handy carabiner you can clip onto your backpack for hands-free adventuring, plus you’ll be doing your part for the environment and avoid adding more plastic to landfills.

4. Pack a Hot Lunch in Your BEAST Tumbler

Greens Steel’s BEAST Tumbler is so adept at keeping its contents warm that it’s a great place to put soup or other hot lunches.

Since eating out multiple times per day can be quite expensive and really drain your vacation budget, packing a hot lunch in your tumbler is a great way to save money on pricey restaurant meals. 

If you're day-tripping far from civilization or out on the trail, this is also an ideal way to ensure that refueling your energy stores is convenient.

3. Eat Like a Local

Hotels are comfortable and welcoming, but they also take a bite out of your wallet. Do yourself a favor and skip the expensive buffets, lobby restaurants and room service meals. You pay for the convenience, but the food usually skimps on taste.

Eat like a local and venture outside the touristy areas to discover the best budget-friendly restaurants with atmosphere and character thrown in.

Furthermore, grab some snacks during the day to keep in your room, so you can avoid dipping into the minibar… You’d be surprised how many overpriced items get added to your bill just because you got the munchies!

2. Take Your Own Water Bottle On the Flight

Whenever you fly, you’re liable to get dehydrated due to the air pressure changes and decrease in humidity in the cabin. Luckily, you don’t have to buy a $20 bottle of water from the newsstand outside your gate!

Here’s an insider travel tip many people don’t know about: While airport security won’t allow liquids through, they do allow empty containers! Simply empty out your Greens Steel Water Bottle before you go through the security line, then fill it up at a water fountain when you get to the terminal.

Don't forget that drinking plenty of water throughout the flight means you’ll stave off jetlag symptoms from dehydration, arriving at your destination feeling fresh and ready to go!

1. Take a Guided Tour from a Local

Lastly, consider taking guided tours from locals who can show you hotspots in the area, especially if you’re visiting a foreign country.

Guided tours are some of the best ways to learn about the local history and attractions in the area without spending too much cash. Plus, you’ll get a local’s-only perspective of the best parts of the city that most tourists will never experience.

With these savvy money-saving tips from smart travelers, you’ll be able to take more trips, more often, all without breaking the bank.

Don’t be afraid to expand your experiences, think outside the box and open up to new possibilities… That’s what holidays are all about, after all!  

Fefe | Greens Steel Wunderluster

Sydney, AUS