If you’ve ever been sent out of town on business, you’re
probably familiar with my favorite form of income- per diem. Per Diem is an allowance for the
daily expenses incurred while traveling on business. The best part- it’s tax-free and you get to keep any
leftover money you don’t spend!
Here are some ways to cut down on travel expenses and pocket that per
diem for later and better use.
1. Sublet your
apartment. If you’re going out
of town for a significant period of time there’s no reason to waste rent on an
empty space. Post in Gypsy Housing, a popular facebook group
for short and long term sublets, or use airbnb.com to find a sublet for as
short as a weekend.
2. Reach out to
family and friends. Don’t be
shy, even if it’s someone you haven’t seen in years or some distant relative or
family friend, chances are they’ll be thrilled to have someone to host and show
around town. By staying with
friends and family you knock out your biggest expense- hotel stay. And families, being the wonderful thing
they are, will likely stuff you with delicious home made goodness so you can
save on some meals too. A nice
bouquet of flowers and a thank you card will be well worth the savings.
If you do stay at a hotel, be sure to sign up for their
rewards or loyalty program. I’ve
taken two vacations with points I’ve earned while traveling on business.
3. Ask the
locals. When I first arrived
in Boston, the restaurant menus gave me sticker shock. Then I thought people visiting New York
must feel the same way; I just know where to go when I’m in New York. Ask people who’ve lived in or visited
the area, ask the locals you’re working with, or ask the hotel concierge for affordable
dining and activity suggestions that suit your taste.
4. Bring Breakfast. If
you’ll be out of town for more than a few days, hit up a grocery store as soon
as you get there to load up on your AM staples. My favorites are bread, peanut butter, honey, and
banana. Along with a tea bag and
some water boiled in the microwave, it’s the perfect way to start my day.
5. Make Lunch the Big
Meal of the Day. Most
restaurants have discounted lunch prices or offer excellent lunch specials. If you want to go out and taste the
local cuisine, consider doing it at lunchtime rather than dinner. Not only will you cash in on the midday
specials, but you’ll probably get more than enough food to take home for later.
6. Microwave Meals.
By picking up a few grocery items and “cooking” at “home”, you can save A
LOT. I once spent 3 days in a city
living off one small trip to the grocery store- bread, peanut butter, apples,
turkey, cheese, baby carrots, peppers, hummus, frozen veggie burgers, and a
package of frozen burritos. Ah,
the gourmet ways you learn to utilize a microwave when you have to live off
$55/day ;)
7. Stock up on
Freebies. If your hotel has
any freebies (fruit, yogurt, tea bags, honey packets etc) or if you’re served
lunch or snacks on the job, be sure to pocket some for later.
As soon as I saw the leftovers from catering one day, I ran out and
bought myself tupperware to pack up some meals for later. Don’t forget to grab some extra plastic
forks and spoons, they’re always useful.
8. BYOB. While spending a night on the town
is a great way to socialize and see a city, consider spending some nights
in. Host a “bring your own
beer” happy hour or game night in your room.
9. Walk or Take
Public Transit. Walking is one
of the absolute best ways to discover a city. Pick up a free map at your hotel and make sure you ask about
any areas that are to be avoided.
Most major cities also have excellent transit systems. If you can ride the bus or subway in
your hometown, you can do it anywhere.
I spent 4 weeks working in Hong Kong and commuting on their
subways. If anything, they were
cleaner, faster, and more frequent than NYC. And I saved a ton by avoiding taxis.
10. Use the Web. To
find out what’s in your area search yelp.com for information and reviews on
everything from the best pubs to cheap spas. Try a google search of “Free and
Cheap Things To Do in {fill in the blank} City.” You can also find great deals for almost any city on sites
like groupon.com, livingsocial.com, and restaurant.com.
Being away from home can sometimes leave you in a vacation
mindset when it comes to spending, even when you’re out of town for work. While catching a movie every now and
then or getting a taste of the local flavor at a piano bar can be fun-
entertainment is expensive and adds up quickly. Don’t deprive yourself of experiencing the places you go,
but don’t use “being away from home” as an excuse to overindulge and
consequently, overspend.
Happy travels and happy savings!
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