Guest Post from The Fit Well Traveler: A Budget Does Not Have to be a Burden When it Comes to Vacation

**PHOTO IS GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED BY DAVID NARTIN.

Message from The Timeshare Guru:  This is a guest post from the Fit Well Traveler.  He has previously written another article "The Benefits of Travel for Mental Health and Addiction".  I definitely recommend that you check out his blog for more great articles at The Fit Well Traveler. 

This post is about traveling on a budget.  This post provides some good information on traveling on a budget.  While I definitely enjoy the finer luxuries of life, traveling does not have to cost a fortune.  While I travel extensively and in nice accommodations, it rarely costs me much thanks to credit card perks, points, and timeshares.  While the world may feel small, the world is actually quite big and there are many places to see.  Don't let money get in the world of travel.  You will be glad that you get away.  

Thanks again to the Fit Well Traveler for this post. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if money trees actually existed? Yeah, it would, but they don’t. Which means most of us have to find ways to get the most out of the activities we love while living within our financial means. One of these activities that we all love is traveling, which HealthNet explains is not only fun, but good for our mental and physical health. To reap these benefits without running up credit card debt, follow these cost-conscious tips for traveling on a budget.
 
Consider Destinations with Built-in Beauty
 
Activities tend to cost money, especially in tourist towns. Staring at and basking in the natural beauty that Mother Nature has humbly provided us mere mortals is often free, aside from the National Park admission fee where that applies. So, plan a trip to a place where the natural beauty is abundant, it’s the first step in a budget-conscious jaunt.
 
For those looking to go tropical, U.S. News and World Report recommends their top 10 budget-friendly Caribbean destinations. Forbes offers their own version of the cheap destination list, basing theirs on where the dollar is a particularly strong currency. This consideration makes a huge difference in how costly a trip is or isn’t. Destinations you may not expect to be on such a list include Crete (an island off of Greece), Morocco, and Costa Rica. Seriously, a tight budget doesn’t have to mean thinking small when it comes time to consider destinations.
 
If you want to stay in the States, Travel + Leisure offers some suggestions that provide quite the bang for your buck. Nashville is a music buff’s paradise, Charleston has a harbor scene that’s to die for, and New Orleans is the cultural and food mecca of the entire nation. You can’t go wrong with any of these travel spots.
 
Once You’ve Chosen a Destination
 
Picking a place to visit is only the first step in saving money while traveling. If you’re going out of the country, CNBC advises finding a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction and exchange fees, a surprising fee your credit card company never bothered to tell you about.
 
Thrillist recommends several options for traveling on a budget, some more feasible than others. You’re unlikely to track down the free commune-type living situation they recommend, and even if you did, it’s best to consider what that could look like . However, their recommendations about taking advantage of mileage points and budget airlines are prescient.
 
Some rental properties will not only be cheaper than hotels, they’ll provide a way better experience once you’re there. From a full-sized kitchen, to the at-home feel of a rental house, it’s better than a hotel in virtually every way, as Travel Channel points out. Another tip, especially if you do find a well-priced rental, is to cook most of your meals at home. Most cities, especially ones that cater to tourists, are filled with restaurants whose prices are nothing short of exorbitant.
 
Before heading out, make sure to secure your home. Check all doors and windows; be thorough. This will ensure that you don’t question whether you forgot to lock up while you are trying to enjoy your trip.
 
Also, put outside lights on timers to avoid the impression that you’re gone, and let the neighbors you trust know you’ll be away so they can keep an eye out. If you aren’t bringing your pet on the trip with you, make arrangements for it to stay with a friend, family member, or professional caretaker.
 
Conclusion
 
Who wants to travel? There’s an easy answer to that question: Everyone wants to travel! And, with few exceptions, everyone can travel. A small paycheck shouldn’t mean a life lived in one neighborhood, city, state, or even country. Getting out and experiencing new sights, sounds, and cultures is great for our health, and it typifies what the “good life” is all about. And, most importantly, it doesn’t take a fortune to embark on an awesome expedition, whether domestic or abroad.