One of the perks of being stationed at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota is the fact that you can travel without many of the common logistical challenges of planning a European adventure from the United States. Things such as the immense expense of a trans-Atlantic flight, no jet lag, and more. So you have arrived to NAVSTA Rota, now what?
“We are at a great location where flights around Europe are generally dirt cheap,” said Alicia Dalloo, work and family life specialist for Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) Rota. “Still, it's imperative not to overlook the cost of lodging, food, entrance fees to places of interest, car rental, or local transportation.”
Starting a travel fund and budgeting for your trips will help you to see all that Europe has to offer while not setting you back financially. Here are some tips to get you started.
Create a travel fund. Setting up a separate savings account and automatic allotment is the easiest way to create a travel nest egg. Determine a feasible amount that that you can live without, set up the automatic transfer to the travel savings, and wait for it to grow. Throughout the year, you can supplement with gift money from family, tax refunds, or even selling unused items around your home for cash.
Create a travel plan and budget accordingly. Come up with a plan of prioritized destinations, available leave periods, and travel budget. By tentatively planning a year (or your entire tour) out, it can allow you to set aside money for those big ticket trips. Dalloo suggests traveling during off-season to save money in larger cities. After you decide upon the big trips, you can plan local trips to allow you to explore without breaking the bank.
She also suggests utilizing free budget/spending plan apps to project all of your travel expenditures. This will help you plan for your travels and recognize potential miscalculations for future travels so you can adjust accordingly.
Travel during off-season or non-prime time. Traveling during the off-season has many benefits. Dalloo explains that, “Travel off-season will help reduce costs significantly and be a lot less busy and crowded.”
Along the same concept, traveling during non-peak times (such as Sunday through Thursdays or for long American holiday weekends) or off-the-beaten path locations can also save you money. Flights and hotels in bigger cities tend to be cheaper in addition to general admissions for major tourist sites having more openings.
Reconsider lodging. Think outside the traditional hotel to an apartment, vacation home, or even hostel. While an apartment or home can be more expensive at face value, it can possibly save you money. Being able to eat breakfast and some dinners in as well as prep snacks, you may find that it’s the cheaper option with more space. For solo travelers or small groups, hostels can be a great option to meet others to explore the city with and save money. Many hostels have private rooms for an additional charge that you can share with a few friends if you want more privacy.
Look for discounts. Many hotel chains and some attractions offer military discounts...even in Europe! While it may not be all, it can be beneficial to ask if there are any discounts that apply.
Find free activities. Research free activities wherever you’re traveling. Many cities have free (or minimal fee) museums, free days or nights at popular sites, etc. Plan some free activities during your trip such as a free museum, free walking tour (usually done for tips), day at the beach, or a hike. For those with children, cities typically have public parks that allow the children to burn off some steam while you relax. Visiting the local food markets is another activity that doesn’t cost anything – unless you purchase food – but allows you to learn about the local dishes and cultures.
Make your money work for you. Many major credit cards offer travel perks and points for using their card. This is not a "carte blanche" to rack up credit card debt, so it’s imperative to maintain your budget and pay off the balance each month. Some cards will offer special deals for signing up, annual perks such as lounge privileges, extra points for food and travel purchases, and more. If you pay off your balance each month, you will reap the benefits of accruing points for flights, hotels, upgrades, etc.
Road trip! Going on a road trip can be a cost effective way to see some of the off-the-beaten-path locations and save money. The highways in Spain and Portugal are well-maintained making for pleasant driving. It can be fun to pick a region, find a home base, and explore with our own vehicle. Just don't forget to plan for gasoline expenses!
The NEX Autoport offers a gas card that can be used for gas at select stations in Spain for the cost of gas on base. The application takes time to process so be sure to plan ahead if you plan to take advantage of this offering.
No matter what your financial goals are – travel or otherwise – Dalloo emphasizes that FFSC Rota is here to help you. FFSC Rota has a personal financial management program with events, seminars, and even one-on-one financial counseling. If you are interested in seeing what is available through FFSC Rota, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook/ffsc.rota or by calling DSN 727-3232 or commercial, +34 956-82-3232.
“Have fun, and remember to stick to your travel budget,” she said. “If you do not have to bail yourself out of debt acquired because of poor financial planning, you will look back more fondly on your travel memories.”
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 03.15.2022 03:50 |
| Story ID: | 416158 |
| Location: | ROTA, ES |
| Web Views: | 29 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Explore Europe: Tips for Traveling Without Breaking the Bank, by Courtney Pollock, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
