Tips for traveling in retirement

For those of us who love to travel, there are typically two major obstacles: time and money. The issue of time becomes less of an issue once we retire, but money remains a factor.

Here are a few tips for you as you plan for travel while in retirement:

1) Plan for your travels:

While still working, set a goal for how often and where you would like to travel. How often will you travel overseas versus around the states? How do you prefer to travel? RV, car, plane, boat…? Answers to these broad questions will help you more accurately predict costs and help you prepare.

2) Stay within a travel budget:

 Often, when we travel, we overspend. It's natural. We spend too much at restaurants, buy that bigger souvenir, or even end up booking too many activities. But traveling is less stressful, and more fulfilling when you stick to a budget and take advantage of free activities. Before you leave, do some research on the area you're traveling to. See if there are any shows or activities you can go to that are free or surprisingly cheap.

3) Find discounts:

There are many opportunities to find discounts when you travel. Traveling outside peak seasons will often mean significant discounts. Buying directly from the airline or hotel can often be less expensive. Many activities will offer major discounts if you look for them before arriving. Often, just searching forums of previous travelers, you can see ways to save money. This will help you stay on budget and reduce stress.

4) Travel with friends:

If you travel in a large group, you can frequently find better rates. Often those group discounts come in the activities. Talk with some good friends now to see if traveling with them would work. You may also find clubs or travel agencies who will coordinate group travel. Who knows, you might even meet a new best friend and travel partner.

Retirement is supposed to be about relaxing and having fun after years of work, and exploring the world is a great way to do that. If you're thinking about retirement, please give us a call so that we can help set you up to enjoy your retirement to the fullest.