Weekending on the #BidenBudget
By Chase Nicholson
@kitkeenan
After the two years of Covid-19-chaos we’ve endured, summer 2022 should be a time of lavish vacations to dreamy international destinations. Sipping an Aperol spritz in Positano or gallivanting through the African Savannah on a safari sounds heavenly. But in this economy? We’ll have to ball on a #BidenBudget.
While flight tickets have always accounted for the bulk of travel expenses, record inflation under the Biden administration has only amplified their price tags, ruling out leisure travel altogether for many Americans. These days, a flight can set you back as much as a month’s rent payment. However, if you can’t shake your wanderlust, we’ll help you keep your trip as cost-efficient as possible.
If you have time to plan ahead, set up flight price alerts on Google flights for a few different dates to your desired location. Surprisingly, this trick can save you a few hundred dollars on flight prices if you have some time to spare to wait it out. Book your flights with points or miles, whether it be through your credit card or your preferred airline rewards program (pro tip: check the points/miles conversion cost to partner airlines, moving points to different loyalty programs can often get you better deals and stretch your points value just a bit farther). While booking with points or miles may seem like a headache, it can be a game changer for your vacation budget.
For our car-less city girls, don’t let steep airline prices and the hassle of car rentals deter you. Buses, trains, and ferries are all the rage as they are budget friendly and offer more scenery than flying at 35,000 feet. The Northeast in particular has great weekending opportunities. If you’re based inNew York City, take the Hampton Jitney out to Montauk or the Amtrak down to Washington, D.C. From Boston, venture to Martha’s Vineyard or Cape Cod on the ferry or take the commuter train down to Providence, Rhode Island for shopping and small town frolicking. Out west, take the Megabus from Dallas to Austin to see one of America’s trendiest cities for free. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles County, take the Catalina Express to Catalina Island.
State and National Parks are among the most budget friendly places of respite from the rat race of suburban and city life where you can explore our country’s gorgeous natural geography. State and national park admissions range from a few dollars to around $35 per private vehicle, and once inside, the park is your oyster. Whether that means hiking, climbing, swimming, or simply reading a book at a nice overlook, the activity options cater to just about everyone who’s outdoorsy. Additionally, a park vacation can be as thrifty or as luxurious as you want. You can set up camp for around $20 a night or check into a nice hotel with all the creature comforts (pool, spa, gym). We also suggest purchasing a state or national park annual pass if you plan to visit for more than a day or two.
When in doubt, look into a good ol’ staycation. While less glamorous than jetting to London or chilling in Palm Springs, a change of scenery is good for energy recalibration even if you’re only within a few hours or even a few minutes of your home. Looking at your city or region from a tourist perspective can open doors to activities you never knew existed. We suggest booking a nearby hotel or Airbnb on a local body of water, national forest, or lively cultural hotspot. There’s nothing that cures corporate burnout like a low-maintenance weekend that doesn’t involve cleaning your own dishes, doing your own laundry, or any other number of household chores.
Research nearby museums, parks, cultural experiences and shopping areas that you haven’t had the chance to visit yet. Lastly, you can always show a little bit of love to your friend or family member and pay them a visit for the weekend. We all have friends that we keep meaning to catch up with or family members that would appreciate some TLC. Visiting your friends or family for a weekend, for lack of a better phrase, kills two birds with one stone. You get a change of scenery with a free place to stay but, more importantly, you get great quality time with a loved one.
Regardless of your financial means, everyone deserves to kick back and take a sojourn once in a while. Besides the money-savers already mentioned, the best tips are to leave work at work, leave home worries at home, and leave your phone on airplane mode. Get outside, read a book, go on a hike, sit by the pool, and enjoy time away from the commotion of everyday life. With any luck, Biden’s horrid economic missteps will be resolved by next summer, just in time for a beach vacation to the French Riviera or hiking trip through the Sacred Valley without burning through your retirement account.
