Tips for Traveling as an Entrepreneur
As an entrepreneur, it’s important that you use your money
purposefully and wisely. Whether you’ve taken out a loan, have an investor, or
are bootstrapping your business, you likely have to sacrifice financially in
some areas to make it work in others. Luckily, there are a number of ways that
you can save and better use the money that you have available, like using cheap
business
tools, hiring minimal staff, or even investing money in a fixed index annuity or another investment
opportunity that will allow you to grow in the future.
Another way to save a good amount of money is to avoid
traveling whenever possible; however, at one point or another—whether to
present to potential clients, close a deal, or tour a potential vendor’s
facility—you may have to hop on a plane and travel across the country to keep
your business running smoothly. Travel can be prohibitively expensive, and many
trips might be too far out of your budget.
Luckily, there are ways you can save on travel too without
having to give up too much comfort or keep things too cheap. Here are some tips
to help you travel as an entrepreneur to make the most of your time and money
while still enjoying the trip:
Plan as Far in Advance as Possible
You may not know that you have to travel until a couple of
weeks before you leave town, but the farther in advance you can plan, the
better. While it’s possible to find some last-minute deals, most of the
money-saving deals on flights and hotels have to be booked sooner. To save
money, the sooner you can book your travel, the better.
Try to Travel in the Off Season
This one is a no-brainer for those who want to go on
vacation. Heading to Hawaii during the summer months or booking a hotel on the
California coast once it starts to warm up can get pricey and crowded. The same
concept applies to business travel as well, though. If you’re able to plan far
enough in advance, avoiding holidays and traveling during the off-season is the
best way to save yourself money without having to settle for a cheap and
miserable flight.
Pack Everything in a Carryon
Having a checked back is a lot more convenient, but most
airlines will charge for checked luggage these days. Some even charge for a
carry on and personal item, making travel more expensive than it used to be and
more expensive than it should be. If you can’t give up your checked bag due to
an extended trip or the need for space, try to fly with an airline that will
check it for free. Otherwise, the best way to save yourself money is to pack
everything you need into your carry on—it might require some creativity and
Tetris-worthy skills, but it could save you hundreds of dollars.
Check Multiple Hotel Booking Sites
A lot of travel sites out there will help you compare the
prices of different flights and hotels, yet it seems like they don’t always
show you the best deals or the options that are available which makes it important
to check as many booking sites as possible before paying for a room to get the
best deal. Sites like Trivago will show you different booking options from
multiple different sites including Airbnb and VRBO so starting with those is a
good idea.
Catch an Uber or Lyft
A lot of times, business people will rent their own vehicle
when they arrive at their destination to get around and make meetings as
needed, without being subject to public transportation. Lately, though, with
the rise of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, more and more travelers
are opting for that alternative instead of paying the cost of a rental car—and
for a good reason. Ridesharing services can cost a fraction of the price of a
rental. So, to save yourself some money but still enjoy the comforts of
traveling in a private vehicle, the best option is to hail a ridesharing
service instead of paying the rental fees and insurance that come with renting
a car.
Stop by the Grocery Store Instead of a Restaurant
Sometimes it’s fun to get out and eat out while you’re
traveling, for fun or business, but those restaurant tabs can add up fast,
leaving you with more expenses than you may have wanted or planned on. While
you may want to grab a meal from an eatery here or there, opting to shop for
food at the grocery store instead of eating out will save you more money than
you might think. Be sure to take advantage of a free continental breakfast, if
offered at your hotel, then try microwave dinners, sandwiches, soups, and other
store-bought alternatives for lunches and dinners, (unless you have a dinner
meeting, that is).
Take Your Host up on Their Offers
While you don’t want to mooch or beg, when you travel for
business, hosts will often offer to take you out for a meal or to share some of
the local entertainment with you on their dime. In those cases, don’t be afraid
to accept their offer. It would be impolite to suggest it yourself, but if they
put it out there and invite you along, then instead of refusing or offering to
pay for yourself, enjoy their hospitality—and be sure you thank them afterward.
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