3 Low-Budget Vacation Ideas

Heading out on vacation is a luxury, and many people aren't able to fulfill their dreams of exotic getaways to faraway islands or explore the world by travelling internationally. While an expensive trip may not be in the cards, a low-budget vacation can be attainable for many seeking some well-deserved time off.

These low-budget vacation ideas can be just as exciting and memorable as something far fancier at a fraction of the cost. Plan wisely and you and your family may just be vacation bound sometime this year. Bon voyage!

1. All-Inclusive

An all-inclusive trip, most notably offered by resorts can be a great way to vacation at a reasonable cost. You pay one price and needn't worry about extra expenses while away. All-inclusive vacations generally package together meals, soft drinks, airfare, hotel stay, etc. for one fair price, no gimmicks. Some packages even factor in entertainment, alcohol, and even tips for staff. And some give a lower price for kids, making the bundled price even more enticing.

Check out All Inclusive Outlet for amazing deals to destinations such as Mexico, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and more. Opt for family-friendly, adults-only, and other options like spas, scuba, and more. They offer flexible payment plans to fit your budget. All-inclusive means you'll be sure to stay on budget without added fees and impulse purchases.

2. Cruises

Cruising is an enjoyable way to travel and see the open waters in many parts of the world for an economical price considering what you get for your dollar. Like the aforementioned all-inclusives, most cruises offer packages which cover most or all of your vacationing costs in one fair combined price.

Depending on the type of cruise, duration of travel, room size, and location, cruising can be relatively inexpensive while feeling fabulous. Consider these superb deals offered by CheapCruises.com. They partner with lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney Cruise Lines, and other major cruise lines, offering discounts and packages at all price points – even for the savviest traveler watching their wallet.

Plus, as per Nomadic Matt, "Cruise lines always offer incredible last-minute deals. No ship's captain wants to leave with half the cabins empty. If you wait until then, you can find some really amazing deals as cruise lines scramble to find passengers. Plus, cruise operators always throw in some on-board amenities, free upgrades, and cash vouchers to sweeten the deal. Conversely, if you book over a year in advance, cruise lines also offer amazing low fares for early birds."

Plan your travels economically as you explore the seas in a unique way. Go for something romantic, family-friendly, or something in between. Some people who cruise once vow to never vacation any other way thanks to the great prices and wonderful experiences.

3. Tour Locally

There's no need to travel far and wide to have a fulfilling vacation experience. Take a fresh look at your city or hometown and the surrounding areas. A car trip is not only a great bonding experience, but a low-cost way to explore a variety of attractions, restaurants, exhibits, parks, museums, and more that you may have been taking for granted due to their proximity.

Make it a day trip or find a place to stay for a night or two for the full vacation experience, even if it's a low-budget motel or a camping ground. Learn more about the history and new developments in your area and realize that even home can feel like a home away from home when treated as a special place to be.

Nomadic Matt suggests, "Be sure to go to your local tourism office and get a city tourism pass. These cards allow you to see a wide range of local attractions for free or reduced prices and can be your way to see your local sites on a budget."

No language barrier, no need to over pack, and no more excuses for not becoming a local expert! Are you ready to take that long-awaited budget-friendly vacation? Check out GTFO (Get the Flight Out). Their cheap airfare to various locations worldwide will make planning your travels a breeze. Peruse the site's easy-to-navigate user interface and see where the next flight will take you!

It's time to pack your bags and head out on a budget-friendly vacation! Lots of fun doesn't have to cost lots of money.

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Landscaping Options to Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal

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As anyone who has ever sold a house will tell you, you must prioritize curb appeal. Before a potential buyer even considers looking inside your house, they notice the outside first. Does it attract the right kind of attention? Does it take away from the feel you're going for? If you plan to sell sometime soon, you must think about these things. Here are some landscaping options to increase your home's curb appeal, so you can get the best price on your home.

Extensive Plants and Greenery

A barren front yard won't get you the price you want on your home. So, invest in at least a little bit of greenery to keep the surrounding area from looking too dead. Shrubs and bushes tie the house to the lawn that precedes it, and flower beds bring a pop of color to an otherwise drab structure. You can also strategically plant some trees to improve the overall feel of your home's exterior.

Lawn Care

As we mentioned, your lawn is one of the most prominent features of your home's exterior. A patchy, dried-up lawn will quickly drive your home's price way down. Some of the best landscaping options for your home's curb appeal involve improving your lawn for the next inhabitant. Overall fertilization, ground aeration, underbrush removal, proper mowing—all of these lawn care tasks contribute to a greener and more lively area that invites people to see your house, rather than stay away from it.

Paved Pathways

There's nothing like a broken and disheveled pathway to make someone think twice about buying a property. Just as you want the entryway in your house to be welcoming, so too should the pathway leading up to the house be inviting. The pathway from the street to your front door provides plenty of real estate to get creative with. You don't have to settle for a boring concrete pathway. Consider something more eye catching, like a cobblestone path or intermittent brick patterns, as a way to better welcome potential buyers.

Usable Outdoor Furniture

Landscaping doesn't just involve the ground you walk on; also included are the items you use as extras to the overall look. Outdoor furniture is one such extra that you don't necessarily need but can look quite attractive if done correctly. Staging is important with outdoor furniture. Old, broken-down pieces will only look like more work to the potential buyer. A few comfortable chairs, a bench, or a table with an umbrella really go a long way to improving your outdoor aesthetics.

A good tip for deciding on curb appeal items is to decide what you personally would want to see as a part of a welcoming home's exterior. You don't need to go overboard, but a little bit of forethought could net you quite a lot of extra cash in the sale.

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Common Mistakes Made When Giving to Charity

Unfortunately, giving back can sometimes go haywire. If you're ready to make a donation, first consider common mistakes made when giving back.

Many people strive to support their community by donating their time or their money. When you find a meaningful cause, you might be quick to cut a donation check. Though it's admirable to be quick to act charitably, you should be wary of several common mistakes made when giving to charity. Being mindful of these mistakes and learning tips for making informed charitable choices can help you make the most out of your generous check.

Acting Quickly Out of Emotion

Mission statements are meant to be compelling. If you're an emotionally driven individual, it's natural to pull out your wallet at the sight of a sad puppy on TV or when informed about food insecurity over the phone. Unfortunately, not all charities are as effective or official as they may seem.

Take your passion for helping others one step further by making sure your chosen charity is legit. Speaking with a representative, reviewing their website and social media accounts, and looking at testaments online can give you a better idea of whether the organization is worth your donation.

Forgetting to Keep Record of the Donation

Don't forget that you can reap some financial perks from giving back! With the proper documentation of your donation, you can acquire a better tax deductible.

If you donate more than $12,400 as a single filer or $24,800 as one of two joint filers, you're eligible to deduct that amount from your taxes. So, when a charity asks if you'd like a receipt of donation, always answer yes.

Donating Unusable Materials

Most charities can utilize a monetary donation—it's the physical donations that usually cause some issues. Providing a local nonprofit with irrelevant materials or gifting them with unusable products are surprisingly common mistakes made when giving to charity.

Always check your intended charity's website for a list of things they do and do not accept. The majority of places will provide a guideline to donating or offer contact information to clarify any questions.

Strictly Giving at Year's End

As more and more people get into the holiday spirit at the end of the year, nonprofit organizations see an influx of donations. While it's great to spread holiday cheer via a monetary donation, it's important to keep that spirit going year-round.

With regular donations, charities can more effectively allocate their annual budget. Setting up an automatic monthly donation with the charity of your choosing can maximize your impact. You can account for a monthly donation by foregoing a costly coffee every once in a while.

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How Much You Should Spend on Home Maintenance

Knowing how much you should spend on home maintenance each year is hard to figure out and may be preventing you from buying your first home. The types of costs you'll incur depend on the house you buy and its location. The one certainty is that you should start saving now. Read on to figure out how much to start setting aside based on the home you own.

The Age of Your House

Consider several factors when budgeting for home repairs. If you've purchased a new home, your house likely won't require as much maintenance for a few years. Homes built 20 or more years ago are likely to require more maintenance, including replacing and keeping your windows clean. Further, depending on your home's location, weather can cause additional strain over time, so you may need to budget for more repairs.

The One-Percent Rule

An easy way to budget for home repairs is to follow the one-percent rule. Set aside one percent of your home's purchase price each year to cover maintenance costs. For instance, if you paid $200,000 for your home, you would set aside $2,000 each year. This plan is not foolproof. If you bought your home for a good deal during a buyer's market, your home could require more repairs than you've budgeted for.

The Square-Foot Rule

Easy to calculate, you can also budget for home maintenance by saving one dollar for every square foot of your home. This pricing method is more consistent than pricing it by how much you paid because the rate relies on the objective size of your home. Unfortunately, it does not consider inflation for the area where you live, so make sure you also budget for increased taxes and labor costs if you live in or near a city.

The Mix and Match Method

Since there is no infallible rule for how much you should spend on home maintenance, you can combine both methods to get an idea for a budget. Average your results from the square-foot rule and the one-percent rule to arrive at a budget that works for you. You should also increase your savings by 10 percent for each risk factor that affects your home, such as weather and age.

Holding on to savings is easier in theory than practice. Once you know how much you should spend on home maintenance, you'll know what to aim for and be more prepared for an emergency. If you are having trouble securing funds for home repairs, consider taking out a home equity loan, borrowing money from friends or family, or applying for funds through a home repair program through your local government for low-income individuals.

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