Visiting London on a budget may seem impossible but it can be done if you choose traveling options off the beaten path. High tourist season is typically early April through late September. If you can opt to vacation there from early October through late March, you are likely to find less expensive airline tickets to and from London.
Once you're in the Square Mile, you'll have unlimited options for having fun, sleeping cheap and eating well without spending a wallet full of Euros. Typically, the second most expensive aspect of traveling abroad is the hotel stay, second only to the airfare to get there. Depending on the time of year you travel and your comfort level, your options are wide open.
Consider a home exchange. There are many home exchange facilitators, you can run a web search to find one you like. Members will pay an annual fee, usually $50 to $100. Most house swaps are offered in 1 week increments with a minimum of 2 weeks and you don't necessarily swap your house with the same family whose house you will stay in. You might stay in a London flat while the family of Londoners stays in a home in Thailand while the Thai family stays in your home. Other than the annual fee and possibly a small swap fee, typically under $100, this is a free stay. Of course, you have to be comfortable with a group of strangers in your home while you're away.
Summer holidays in London, while airfare will be at its peak, can still be cost efficient if you don't mind staying in a university dormitory. Many universities throughout Europe, including in London, rent out their empty rooms for about $100 per night during summer and other school breaks. You won't find perks like room service or even a private bath, but the price is right if you just need a place to lay your head.
Religious or not, you can rent a basic, clean room at one of the many convents and monasteries in the London area. You aren't required to participate in any religious activities and nearly all convents and monasteries will rent to ye of little faith, no faith or a different faith.
As for fun and sightseeing, avoid the rental car and driving around town; strap on some comfy shoes or rent a bike instead. No need to search for a tiny parking spot or learning to drive on the opposite side of the street and you can stop to smell the roses whenever you like. Start each day in a different direction and go wherever the wind takes you.
Public transportation is an adventure on its own and can take you all over the city and even into the countryside. Take the London Underground rail system or a double decker bus for a few pounds. London is also working on an above ground rail system to help facilitate transportation.me great eating deals include take out (called "takeaway") meals. The Value Added Tax (VAT) can be 10% or more on dine in meals. VAT isn't charged on takeaway. The added bonus is you get to choose the view or find a great place to eat and people watch.
Eat un American. Try picking up a late afternoon lunch at an ethnic or vegetarian restaurant. You'll not only find some great deals but you'll enjoy a wonderful new dining experience.
Follow or ask the locals. Employees at petrol stations (gas stations), grocery stores and your hotel front desk will likely know some out of the way dining establishments that offer great food for the budget minded.
Understand that budgeted travelers should be flexible and consider their trip an adventure. You might find a hotel, with reliable quality, to be worth the extra money. Dining at a pub might be great for the locals but you may not have the tolerance for fish and chips. Get out there and have fun.
Living beyond financial means and incurring large amounts of consumer debt are increasing among individuals and families. Whether your income is large or small, creating a budget and adhering to it, will allow you to avoid debt and make better choices about needs and wants. When you create a family budget it is not so much the size of your income that determines success, but the way it is spent. The first step is to identify payments and bills and start to allocate your monthly income accordingly. Make categories for each item such as; rent/mortgage, car payment, utilities, food, household items, entertainment, vacation, household repairs, personal spending, savings.
Budgets can be customized to fit individual and family means, as well as needs and wants. As it is identified where money is being spent, evaluating purchases and what can be cut, changed or eliminated will allow for more conscience and effective spending. Many people do not realize how much they spend on eating out, unnecessary household items or clothes. The money is gone and they can't account for where it went. This is not only damaging financially by spending more than one has, but it is less fulfilling because it is thoughtless purchasing. For many, immediate gratification in purchasing has led to a plague of debt and bankruptcy. Avoid the trap of interest and wastefulness by making clear decisions about money. Here are some suggestions to help make a successful budget.
Counsel with partner/family on a regular basis about spending Regular communication and goal setting allows for financial success because all parties are on the same page and work together to make decisions for the family. By talking about goals it identifies concretely what the needs and wants are for the home and family and helps eliminate the power that impulse can have when shopping. Make decisions together including gifts, eating out, home improvements and personal spending amounts. Setting a limited amount allocated for each person to do with what they want without reporting gives freedom of choice, but controlled. Depending on your financial status that amount will vary and could be as little as $50 a month. It is important to keep it within an amount that can be afforded.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without It seems as though the more people have, the more they want. Just getting more money is not the solution for most financial struggles. Learning to evaluate needs and what can last and what needs to be replaced is the first step to putting money in the best places and making what ever your income is, be enough. Although it is tempting to "keep up with the Jones' " comparing possessions to others and trying to have what they do will not allow for a successful budget. If items are bought on borrowed money then possessions are not a true reflection of finances anyway. Making due with what one already has will eliminate a lot of unnecessary spending and free up money for more wise purchases.
Give thought to purchases Planning for purchases and saving before something is bought will prevent unnecessary debt and the consequences associated with it. Mindless spending has as negative of impact on the household as mindless eating does for the body. You end up with more than you need in the wrong places. Plan for what you want by making a list of most important or most desired to least important. Identifying your needs and wants will give focus and direction for spending and help prevent impulse buying. Shop around and see what is out there, what the going rate is for an item, and what a good deal would be. Watch for sales and coupons to make the best purchase.
Include savings in a budget Living within financial means is not living on the maximum made, but planning for a rainy day. Because unexpected events can and do happen planning for such situations will prevent the debt that would have to be incurred to pay for them. The more a person saves, the better, set aside as much as possible in this area for security and protection. Regret of purchasing is much for common than regret of not purchasing.
Creating a budget will reduce financial stress. Making conscience spending choices, well thought out and followed through with will create financial freedom and power for individuals and families. Wise choices will increase the quality of life, even if the quantity of possessions is not, and greater peace of mind will be found, and that is success.
Both Matthew Marrone & Emma Snow are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Matthew Marrone has sinced written about articles on various topics from Barcelona Holidays, Travel and Leisure. PLR Travel Articles provides travel related articles such as this one on a monthly basis. We have a team of writers with varied worldwide travel experiences ready to provide you with 30 quality travel articles a month.. Matthew Marrone's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Emma Snow has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Food and Drink and Health. Emma Snow is a writer who specializes in financial planning. She has worked in the financial industry for over eight years. Currently Emma works on a Finance and Investing site at. Emma Snow's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.