Ever since I switched to self-employment and became location-independent, I’ve taken several trips. Having the freedom to travel more was one of the reasons I left my regular job, so it’s a natural part of my lifestyle now.
People often ask how we can afford so many vacations. Many assume we spend thousands on each trip or that we’re financing travel with debt.
Neither is true.
Most of our vacations are budget-friendly, and that’s how we manage to travel so often. We spend far less than the $4,000 average many people report for a single trip.
One major way we cut costs is by saving on accommodations, which are often one of the biggest items in a vacation budget. You don’t have to accept high hotel prices—there are many strategies to reduce lodging costs so your vacation budget stretches further and you can travel more frequently.
Below are practical tips to save money on hotels and short-term rentals so you can go on more vacations without sacrificing comfort.