Home Is Where the Vacation Is as Canadians Stay Local This SummerThe vacation season is upon us, but it seems like many Canadians plan on taking a staycation instead of leaving the country for their summer holidays.

A survey from Tangerine recently found that a quarter of Canadians won't be getting away at all this summer. For those who do plan on travelling, 58 per cent intend on staying within Canada or their home province. Only nine per cent will travel to the U.S., and eight per cent will travel internationally.

Big Canadian spender

Although many Canadians are staying home this summer, those who are going away anticipate to spend a lot more than they usually would on a vacation. Those who intend on travelling within Canada (55 per cent) and the U.S. (74 per cent) plan on spending more than $1,000. Furthermore, 59 per cent admit that they typically go over their budget when they go on vacation.

How to save money while on holiday

No matter where you're headed this summer, there are ways to save money on your travels:

  • Pint-sized and pricey. Travel-sized toiletries are great for helping you travel light, but can be costly. Instead of buying these pint-sized travel companions pre-filled, go to the dollar store before you leave and buy empty travel-sized containers that you can fill with what you've got on hand at home.
  • Pack a basic care kit including diarrhea/upset stomach medication; antibiotic ointment; a pain reliever like aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen; allergy medication; bandages; antacids; and motion sickness medication. Chances are you already have this stuff in your medicine cabinet, so why spend money on it while on holiday?
  • Get a travel rewards credit card. If you don't have a travel rewards credit card yet, you're missing out on one of the easiest ways to lower your travel costs. And, depending on the credit card you choose, the rewards can often be used towards anything travel-related; not just flights, but also hotels, car rentals, tours and more.
  • Don't over pack. If you're taking a plane or train, chances are there's a limit on how much baggage you can bring with you and if you go over it, you'll have to pay extra fees.
  • Go grocery shopping. Eating out for every meal can become expensive. If there's a fridge where you're staying (even a small one), pick up a few groceries when you arrive like fruit, snack bars, cereal, and sandwich essentials. Eating before you head out for the day's activities and taking snacks can curb the urge to eat out and help keep your costs low.

Travel well, travel protected

There may be only a few of us who intend on getting away for our holidays, but if you do plan on travelling this summer—even within Canada—don't forget to buy travel insurance, in case of illness or injury while on your trip. No matter how short your trip, or how close to home you'll be, travel insurance will save you more money should you need to rely on it, than the premiums you paid.

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