Don’t Waste Your Time or Money on Mid-Range “Meh”
Let’s play a little word association game: Mid = Meh.
Honestly? There’s just no point in doing mid-range travel. You don’t have the time or money to waste on “meh”.
Applying the high-low travel method instead gives your family the opportunity to have a mix of cultural, truly authentic experiences, as well as those once-in-a-lifetime and/or luxury experiences-all in the same trip!
If you’ve never heard of the high-low travel concept, I talk about it pretty extensively across my blog.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a quick rundown before deep-diving how it all works.
The High-Low Concept
The concept of high-low travel includes planning and prioritising your travel budget by category.
By doing so, you avoid wasting money in certain aspects of your trip so you can apply it somewhere more meaningful or memorable.
High-low travel is a strategy that helps you turn your money and time into rich experiences and gives your trip a unique variety.
Helpful Hints For the Terms “High” and “Low” When it Comes to Family Travel: Experiencing the Highs…and Appreciating the Lows
High gets all the attention – but it doesn’t deserve all the credit.
These are the indulgent experiences: luxury hotels, one-of-a-kind dining, or perhaps a helicopter ride to a glacier.
They’re lovely, absolutely lovely, and we all crave them.
However, they typically require strategic use of low-cost options within that same trip if you want them to happen.
Something else to keep in mind when it comes to the high-level experiences – make sure they’re actually worth your time and money.
In other words, overusing a high-end approach might leave you with buyer’s remorse or cause you to come home burdened with travel debt. Or worse, you might fizzle out while still on vacation, and have to cancel certain activities or make some brutal cuts in other categories.
One way to avoid all of that is by making sure the things you choose to allocate larger portions of your budget toward truly match your family’s travel goals.
As I mentioned above, low shouldn’t get a bad rep. A large part of the low concept is engaging in authentic, cultural experiences of a particular destination that the luxury bubble can’t provide.
An Important Takeaway Concerning Budgets
This is my “have soapbox-will stand” moment: when using this method (and when you’re dealing with budgets period) we aren’t talking “budget travel,” and I’m not teaching how to travel on a budget, you’re learning how to travel with a budget.
See the difference?
This concept helps you prioritise both high and low experiences, and it’s important to keep in mind that I mean higher and lower costs, not high versus low value.
But in order to get it right, you have to let go of the mindset that a budget is limiting.
Here’s Some Examples of How You Can Apply the High-Low Travel Method and Avoid Falling into Mid-Range ‘Meh’:
Accommodations:
During a week-long trip to Paris, opt to stay at a lower-cost accommodation outside the city proper for five of the nights, and then splurge on a beautiful hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower for the last two.
This way there’s no wasted money on the same mid-range hotel the entire trip… and it gives you variation!
Food:
Did you choose that destination for the food or the adventure? Sometimes it’s both, I get it!
However, if you’re not too concerned with the food scene of a particular country or place, opt not to waste your money on quick bites at the cafe or dining out for every meal.
Instead, plan to cook and prepare food where you’re staying, as well as having plenty of snacks on hand.
That way, you can spend that money on activities and tours in lieu of unremarkable meals that didn’t really impact or enhance the trip anyway.
Activities:
When in Rome (see what I did there?) Matt and I weren’t focused on the accommodations. Our goal was to see EVERYTHING – to experience the history.
So instead of wasting money on the best mid-range hotel we could afford, we opted to stay about 15 minutes outside the city at a much cheaper chalet in a holiday village.
By taking a bus into the city each day, we were able to visit all the museums and historical sights on our list, and get our fill of pasta and gelato without wasting money on mid-range ‘meh’ accommodation we weren’t even going to spend time in.
How to Organise A High-Low Vacation in Six Steps
Step One: Gain Clear Insight Regarding Your Goals and Expectations for the Trip
- What type of experience is this trip meant to provide? Make sure you don’t get caught up in details that don’t align with this. This is the time to be aware of not only what you’re looking to gain from this vacation, but also what you’re willing to forgo.
- Why is this trip important to you and your family?
- Remember, this is the initial step that will help later, your ‘why’ should not be overlooked.
Step Two: Choose Your Destination
- Not sure where to go? Think about what you’re looking for in a vacation…is it culture? Food? Specific locals (beach, hiking, scenery)? Specific activities/adventures?
- How do these needs align with your family’s goals for travel overall?
Step Three: Clarify Your Total Travel Budget
- Create a guideline for your budget so you don’t find yourself coming back from vacation with accrued debt.
- Calculate a reasonable amount to save by the time you leave, while establishing a total spending budget for your trip. Remember to work with a number you can afford, whether you’re going on a big budget ‘trip-of-a-lifetime’ or a more modest budget – doesn’t matter, the game plan is the same. If you skip this step, the chances of coming back from the trip with credit card debt is high, not low (I’m sorry, I honestly can’t help myself).
- Calculate what you will be able to save by the time you leave in order to establish your total spending budget for the trip (pssst…you can download that handy little tool here) you’ll be working with this number down the track.
Step Four: Research Your Destination
- Go down the rabbit hole! Research everything you’ll need to plan for your destination, including: accommodation options, transportation (both there and home, and within), activities/excursions/tours, sights, food…
- After you have this list, work out with your family what you’re most excited about–coupled with why you chose this destination to begin with – will be the deciding factors for how to prioritise the various buckets of your travel budget. Quick example: let’s say you stumbled across an Airbnb you fell in love with – put your money there first, or if there’s a specific activity like swimming with seals, whale watching, or a dinner cruise-allocate money to that first so you can work out the other buckets with the remainder of the budget. The point is to make sure your money aligns with your goals.
- This is where you will start to truly see where your high-cost and low-cost experiences will be throughout your trip, and develop a strong sense of where you’re willing and able to balance out your priorities with some lower-cost options.
Step Five: Distribute Funds Across Your Budget Categories
- I’m about to get my ‘school teacher’ voice out: literally write these down, or type them out, just remember your noggin is a great place to generate ideas, but pretty shoddy at storing them accurately. Miscommunication about these categories, either with your partner or even yourself, is the opposite of the clarity we are striving for here.
- Get as detailed with this as possible, including creating sub-categories, each activity, reservation, etc should have a cost as close to accurate as possible noted alongside it.
- There are plenty of ways to do all of this depending on how your brain works, the only rule of “don’t do mid-range” is: no mid-range. Even if you’ve determined an overall per diem for a specific category, balance out the high and low cost expenses within that category, instead of a flat average across the board.
Step Six: Track Your Expenses
- Yay! You’re finally on the trip! But that doesn’t mean the budget is forgotten or no longer of use to you. Track your expenses as you go to make sure you’re sticking to that plan you so carefully orchestrated.
Ready? Set? Your Turn!
Okay! Show of hands… who’s excited to start planning that family trip now?
Imagine how it’s going to feel knowing you’re not only planning a much-needed holiday with your family, but with confidence and clarity along the way.
In doing so, you’ll be prioritising the things you want to do, see, and experience (making the most out of your time).
AND?! You’ll return home without the weight of debt accrued from the trip!
Trust me, it’s much easier to hit the ground running as far as planning the next one when you aren’t saddled with unexpected trip debt.
It’s also a lot easier to look forward to the next one knowing there’ll be no meh mid-range, “why’d we waste our money on this?” lingering vibes – only lasting memories and family adventures.
FAQs: High-Low Travel Method
What is a reasonable vacation budget?
That’s going to depend on your overall household budget. And if you aren’t exactly sure what that is, this is your gentle suggestion that you need to start with that.
As far as travel budgets specifically, I start with looking at what my family can comfortably allocate each month toward our next trip, and then count backward from the intended departure date.
This helps us determine a number we need to be actively and consistently saving each month in order to hit the overall goal.
Once the overall budget has been determined, break that down into categories like flights, accommodations, meals, daily expenses… taking into consideration your family’s specific needs.
I also highly recommend using tracking tools such as a budget planner or various apps to help you prioritise spending and saving, so you can stay on track.
How much does the average family pay for a vacation?
I think we all know there’s no one-size-fits-all-families answer here.
The specific amount your family will realistically need in order to travel is dependent on so many things.
Your ideal location, your family’s travel style, the time of year, the length of stay… all will play a part in determining how much the trip will cost overall.
I recommend having a portion of your overall household budget dedicated to travel savings. This way, you’ll be able to comfortably save for those much-needed vacations without wandering outside the parameters of your overall family budget.
How can I stick to my budget while on vacation?
Easy! Keep it top of mind, as well as a top priority.
Don’t let the wanderlust cloud your judgement. You likely worked and planned diligently for that vacation. Don’t sour it by returning home strapped with loads of credit card debt because you took that beautiful budget and tossed it out the window,
Remember to track your expenses-yes, even during the actual trip.
Bring your budget planner with you so you can update it daily and monitor your spending.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when saving for travel?
A common mistake when it comes to saving for family travel includes failing to set a specific savings goal. If you don’t have a clear target to work towards, you’ll likely have a difficult time staying motivated.
Likewise if the monthly target you’ve set is well outside your means, saving for a vacation isn’t going to create much excitement. Setting, and achieving, a realistic monthly savings mark keeps the momentum going!
Another mistake that’s easy to make is relying on credit cards as a means of covering travel expenses. When doing so, it’s so much easier to spend now and regret it later.
Future you wants to keep those family adventures going, so remember to stay in the present and
How much money should you save before travelling?
A reasonable budget for your family vacation depends on a variety of things:
Destination, length of stay, the activities planned… you know the drill.
Your travel budget is an extension of your household budget, so do the legwork. Dive into some serious research on destinations, and all the fun things you’d love to do while you’re there.
That way, you can weigh out a variety of options, and have more flexibility to stay on target, and you’ll know your hard earned savings are going toward something amazing!
How can I make my travel budget more flexible?
For a more flexible travel budget, think about what’s the most important aspect of your trip?
There are plenty of ways to make small changes without having to adjust the entire goal of your trip!
Is there a destination offering the same activities or scenery located a little closer to home? Are your travel dates adjustable so you can take advantage of end-of-season or off-season deals? Do you have to eat out every meal?
You don’t have to completely scrap the idea of splurging in order to make a great vacation happen… you just have to think ahead and be creative.
Are there any special tips for travelling with a family on a budget?
I always recommend looking for family-friendly accommodations, especially when you’re travelling with littles.
Take advantage! Searching out the family-friendly deals, such as “kids eat free” options, or hotels that serve continental breakfast.
You can also use public transportation instead of renting a car.
Engage your kids in the process of planning budget-friendly activities, emphasising the importance of saving for family adventures.
A vacation on a budget is special for every member of the family, and well worth sacrifices made prior.
Is $100 a day enough for the high-low travel method?
I guess that would depend on where you’re going- a particular amount per day will ultimately depend on your destination and travel style.
$100 a day might cover accommodations, meals, and activities in one location… say camping in a state park- but then fail to cover even the hotel portion of a trip into the city or out of town.
Planning ahead is super important, as well as factoring in all known potential costs in order to determine a workable daily rate for your trip.
However, as far as daily rates go… I always recommend setting up your travel budget by category rather than on a per diem basis.
Can I still have a luxury experience on a budget?
Absolutely! You simply need to prioritise what’s most important to you and your family. What’s the overall goal for your trip?
If a luxury hotel or experience is a must, consider scaling back on dining or daily activities.
You can also look for package deals or off-season rates that will give you more bang for your buck.
The best travel budgets are all about balance and making smart choices aligned with your family’s why for taking the trip in the first place!
What are some hidden costs I should be aware of?
Hidden fees—those sneaky little buggers.
This can include resort fees, local taxes, or even unexpected transportation costs such as tolls.
You’ll also want to consider the cost of travel insurance, international roaming charges, and emergency expenses that are impossible to predict.
I recommend always adding in a buffer to the overall budget to account for unforeseen costs.
Wrapping It Up: Why We Don’t Bother with Mid-Range Travel
Life has the crazy habit of moving around us at breakneck speed. Sometimes it feels easier to simply push those travel dreams aside, or convince yourself that it’s outside the realm of possibility for your family financially.
I encourage you to take those travel plans off the backburner; and place them front and centre by applying a high-low travel method, along with strategic planning.
If you’re looking for even more information regarding the high-low travel method my family and I use on every vacation, head over to my post on What is High-Low Travel and How To Implement It to learn the steps to applying this method to your travel planning.
Remember that staying committed to your family’s travel dreams is a worthwhile goal.
Nothing brings a family closer or creates those rare and sacred memories like travel.
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