Woman in a hotel room unpacking from a suitcase
“Our first trip to Santorini was incredible – the white buildings on the cliffs and the blue water took my breath away. But what really stuck with me was a conversation with a shop owner. He said people just buy things instead of really experiencing the island,” said Elaine Warren, founding father of The family cruise companion told Forbes.
“This got me thinking about a different way of traveling as a family. Practicing underconsumption while traveling means being mindful of what we buy and use. It’s about focusing on experiences, not things.”
If you are excited concerning the viral “underconsumption core” trend currently sweeping social media, then welcome to the club. The following travelers have been practicing minimalism for years, and their tried-and-tested suggestions and tricks will make it easier to plan sustainable and reasonably priced vacations in the long run:
Choose activities as an alternative of souvenirs
“One way to underconsume when traveling is to prioritize activities over souvenirs,” says Warren. “In Tuscany, we took a cooking class and made pasta ourselves. The smiles on my children’s faces were priceless! These memories will stay with us longer than anything we could buy.”
Do it just like the locals
Experiencing local culture can also be vital. “We avoid tourist shops and instead visit markets and artisans,” says Warren. “It helps the local economy and we find something unique. In Marrakech we bought a beautiful lantern directly from the artisan. Back home, it reminds us of the bustling market.”
Start cooking
“For meals, we like to eat local food, but sometimes we cook ourselves if there is a kitchen. It saves money and is healthier,” explains Warren. “In Barcelona, we bought ingredients at a market and cooked dinner for the family. It was fun and brought us closer together.”
Consider housesitting
“Instead of staying in expensive hotels, you can work as a house sitter in an apartment and earn a few dollars for your trip,” suggests Alexandra Dubakova, travel expert and CMO at Free Tour“When I was in Bali, I rented a small apartment in a rice field. It was a more authentic experience and I saved about $140 for the week I stayed there.”
Don’t rely an excessive amount of on travel blogs before your trip
“It’s normal to do research and figure out what you need before you travel. However, to avoid making impulsive purchases based on curated perfection, don’t believe everything you read,” says Dubakova. “You don’t need the ten ‘must-have’ travel gadgets on the blog totaling $500 to best explore the country you’re planning to visit. You have everything you need, and you can adapt or get creative if you don’t.”
Bring reusable items
Make sure you will have reusable and sturdy essentials like water bottles, cutlery and bags, recommends Whitney Smith, marketing director at Tourism care“Bringing these items with you will eliminate the need to buy disposable items on your trip and allow you to use the same water bottle for each trip,” she explains. “Only replace your items when they are worn out and no longer useful. While it can be tempting to buy new and trendy items, think of your travel essentials as a collection that tells the story of your past adventures. Use them for as long as possible.”
Buy locally made souvenirs you can’t get anywhere else
“When buying souvenirs and gifts, focus on things that are unique to the destination,” Smith recommends. “If it’s something you can easily find at home or that you don’t need during your trip, you probably don’t need it.”
Smith suggests buying gifts and souvenirs to provide back to your destination. “Be mindful of what you’re buying and who you’re buying it from. Is it mass-produced or was it made by a local artisan? Are you supporting the community or a larger business? Inanimate objects often tell a very human story. Your travel purchases should tell a story, too.”
… but consider carefully about what your souvenirs will appear to be at home
“Think about what you’ll do with your purchase when you get home. Will it end up in a drawer or will you treasure it?” asks Smith. “If the former, it might be best to leave it behind.”
Never check a bit of bags
“One method I have found to be extremely effective is to only take carry-on luggage. This forces you to think carefully about what is absolutely necessary and what is nice to have,” says Jackson Groves, founding father of Travel era“After over a decade of traveling this way, I’ve come to the conclusion that almost everything that’s truly necessary takes up very little space. The mental and physical ease that comes with packing light is also priceless.”
Go to the laundromat
“Another habit is to use hotel laundry services wisely. Most properties have one these days, and if you drop off a small load every few days, you’ll never have to buy new laundry again,” says Groves. “According to my spending analysis, I’ve saved an average of over $500 per year by making this switch!”
