Travel for less: Staycation Ideas, Home Exchange Programs
Traveling is one of the most enriching experiences in life, but it can be quite expensive, especially when you factor in airfare, accommodations, food …especially if you are a big family. In our case we are a family of 6 who did not want to put our travel dreams on hold forever. In fact, we realized there are many ways to travel for less, and we decided to share them with you together with some smart cheap travel tips to help you explore new places without breaking the bank.
Staycation Ideas
Have you ever heard of staycations? It is a vacation spent at home or in your local area. The idea is that instead of traveling to a faraway destination, you stay close to home and explore your own city, town or state. Staycations have become increasingly popular in recent years especially during covid when traveling abroad became pretty complicated…and it is also a way to take a break from everyday routine without spending a lot of money.
By exploring your own city, going on a road trip, renting a vacation home, camping, or having a staycation in a nearby city, you can have a memorable vacation experience. And by following these staycation ideas and cheap travel tips, you can save money and make the most of your vacation:
- Explore your own city
Even if you’ve lived in your city for years, there are probably many parts of it that you haven’t explored. Take a day or two to play tourist in your own city. Visit museums, parks, and other attractions that you’ve never been to before. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy seeing your city from a different perspective.
- Go on a road trip
If you have a car, a road trip can be a great way to explore places around you without spending a lot of money. Pack a picnic lunch and hit the road to a nearby town or state park. You’ll get to see new sights and enjoy some time in the great outdoors. You can also travel for less choosing public transportation instead!
- Rent a vacation home
If you’re looking for a change of scenery try renting a vacation home on websites like Airbnb and Vrbo. Renting a vacation home allows you to have a more relaxing experience than staying in a hotel, and allows you to travel for less saving money by cooking your own meals.
- Go camping
Camping is a great option for those who love to enjoy the great outdoors but can also represent a fun adventure if you are new to it. And if you don’t have your own camping gear do not worry, you can still rent it from outdoor stores. Camping is a very affordable option, and you can explore some of the most beautiful natural areas in your state or region.
In summary, a staycation is a great way to take a break from the stresses of everyday life without breaking the bank.
Home Exchange Programs
A more recent way to travel for less is through ‘home exchange programs’. These programs allow you to swap homes with someone in another city or country. As a big family this solution is honestly our favorite one compared to hotels of course.
We joined home exchange programs almost 5 years ago and today are our favorite way to save money on accommodations and get a more authentic travel experience. We always get the opportunity to meet locals and get insider tips from the house owners on the best places to visit in the area. Home exchange programs are also a great way to make new friends around the world…as a matter of fact we kept in touch with many of the landlords we contacted in the past.
But how does it really work? You need to list your home on a home exchange programs website and find someone who wants to stay in your area. In exchange, you can stay in their home during your travels.
Interested in joining? Here I listed a few things you’ll need to do to get started:
First, make sure your home is ready for guests: Clean and declutter your home, and make sure everything is in working order. Provide clean linens and towels for your guests. If necessary, provide any special instructions for using appliances or other equipment in your home.
Prepare a booklet with info about the grocery shops, pharmacies, restaurants around you and also the best spots to visit in the area. And finally do not forget to leave a set of keys for your guests to use during their stay.
Once your home is ready, you can list it on a home exchange website with lots of pics and a description of the area around your place.
Next, search for homes in the locations you’re interested in and reach out to potential exchange partners to see if they’re up for swapping homes with you. Just make sure to set clear expectations and make any necessary arrangements before finalizing the exchange. To protect both parties, I personally recommend signing a contract outlining the terms of the exchange.
Home exchange programs require a bit of preparation and communication but are a fantastic way to travel on a budget and experience new places like a local.
FOUND ME Interactive tags Protect Your World
If you are reading this blog, it is because you’re someone who loves to travel or just enjoy staycations…So for sure you know how important it is to keep your things safe. That’s where FOUND ME tags and labels come in handy. They’re super helpful for protecting everything and everyone you care for when you’re on the go and, if you’re someone who participates in a home exchange program, the Found Me QR code tag can be a lifesaver!
Let’s imagine that you or the person living in your house during a home exchange weekend misplaced your house keys…and let’s imagine that you had attached to them one of FOUND ME cool interactive tags! The good samaritan who happens to find them can return them by simply scanning the QR code and accessing the live chat with you without sharing any confidential info.
FOUND ME also markets QR code stickers for all your sports gear, your laptop, phones, tags for your luggage, backpack, pet tags, medical cards and bracelet for your safety in case of accidents…all connected to you though the FOUND ME App! buy Modarlate
Check out www.foundme.com to know more!
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