5 Budget-Saving Tips to Get More Bang For Your Buck on Vacation

Vacation packages may seem worth the money and convenience, but what if you could get all those fun, local experiences plus free accommodation? Work-trade agreements give you just that. How it works is simple and exactly like it sounds: you work on properties doing anything from milking goats to organic farming to simple house-sitting in exchange for a roof over your head.

Time commitments and amenities vary widely, depending on the type of work and the host's needs. Helpx.net, a networking site for hosts and willing workers, explains that some hosts may require a mere two hours of work a day for accommodation only, while others may ask for six hours of work a day in exchange for meals, accommodation, Internet access, bikes, sightseeing trips, etc. Work scheduling is also wildly dependent on the host: you may have to work a full day one day and then have the entire following day to yourself, or you may have to put in your work at a set time every day.

In exchange, you not only get the experience of cultural immersion, a chance to practice foreign languages you've never taken out of the classroom, or the opportunity to learn a new skill, but also garner a more authentic traveling experience than just staying holed up in a man-made spa.

A couple from Sydney, Australia, who did a work-trade arrangement in Europe told news.com.au: "We have both done Europe, visiting the tourist attractions and staying in faceless hotels. When you travel like this, you only experience a very small and inauthentic side of the culture. . . . [A work-trade arrangement] is a completely unique experience. You get to live with a family in the culture. You eat local food, you meet local people, and you have a better chance of learning the language. You also have the opportunity to explore the region on your days off, so you can visit the tourist attractions then.”

Given how contingent work-trade arrangements are on the host (i.e., someone you have never met), this avenue of travel is best suited to the capital "A" adventurous who are willing to trade traditional luxury for the luxury of culture, true immersion, and whatever else crosses their path. A willingness to advocate for yourself and remove yourself from red flag situations are also absolute musts. Many work-trade websites require an annual fee with membership (ranging from $30 to $50), so be sure to factor that into your budget.

Traditionally, vacation goers have had to book a hotel to get the amenities of home in a foreign city, but no longer. Even if you’re committed to having a deluxe trip, particularly for a honeymoon, anniversary, or blowout birthday, you can find deluxe accommodations at not-so-deluxe prices.

Apartment and house rentals (within local listings of your destination at HomeAway.com or VRBO.com), home swaps (HomeExchange.com, LoveHomeSwap.com), and single rooms rented within larger homes (Airbnb) mean that you can get kitchen/stove privileges, WiFi access, and ideal geography without paying top dollar. Sure, you may not get room service or freshly made beds, but you do get the unique opportunity to feel like a local and buy an insider’s look into the city you're visiting. Plus, depending on what you're renting, you can rent more space or alternative rooms than just your standard hotel room.

This option is ideal for families that may want to spend a few nights cooking at home, say, in Italy, but don’t exactly have the resources to book a suite — in Italy.

By far, one of the biggest expenses when you’re traveling is eating out (the US Bureau of Labor Statistics cites food as being nearly a quarter of vacation expenses) — usually because you don't know where to go, where you can get the cheapest (and best!) taco, or aren’t privy to any special deals. While Internet access and specialized apps might help you save money, being more selective about where you eat and how can also ensure you get more out of your adventure.

Provided that you're traveling to a place that has accessible grocery stores or farmers markets, purchase local goods, and consider a lovely picnic at one of the nearby sites or parks. If you have kitchen access, try cooking with never-before-used ingredients. If you’re staying in the United States, free apps like Grocery Pal and Farmstand provide access to local deals, discounted food, and fresh farmers markets in your area.

In the interest of saving money, research ahead of time what's local (and therefore, cheap) to your geography. When I lived in Paris, one of the biggest mistakes I made was spending over $14 on pasta dishes (my favorite food) at dinner. Meanwhile, when I hopped over to Italy for the weekend, it cost about a third less the Parisian price for freshly made authentic pasta in much, much larger portions. Conversely, France has delicious French wine under five euros available in most grocery stores.

In the throes of the vacation mind-set, tossing unknown sums of (foreign) money at cab drivers can often be a go-to habit for navigating unfamiliar settings. Assuming that you're traveling in a safe area and are able-bodied, you can stumble upon all kinds of hidden gems and gorgeous sights while navigating on your own two feet.

A slew of off-line map apps (no roaming fees!) for your phone — for destinations like Paris; Rome; Dublin, Ireland; and London — make scrounging for a paper map inconveniently retro. Note that many of these apps also offer (online) tips and resources, so be sure to use an available WiFi connection before you head out.

Ditch cabs, bikes, buses, and even subways. Enjoy your surroundings — after all, you paid just to be there.

Overpriced tchotchkes in tourist shops and airports may beckon, but resist. What are souvenirs but a reminder to friends and family that you were thinking of them while you were far from home? You do not need a $6 key-chain from a Hawaiian gift shop to tell them this. It’s generally safe to avoid buying any gift at an airport, hotel lobby, or any place that bears the words "gift shop."

Instead, turn moments of your travels into gifts, whether giving your coin-collecting niece a few of the foreign coins from your pocket, or recording a video of street performers in the piazza for your music-loving dad. In the event that you do buy a present, choose an item that is local or handmade such as stationery, a journal, or a small piece by a resident artist. Not only are these pieces more cost-effective, but they will endure much longer than a shot glass with a city's name on it.