Cheap, simple, last minute

Opinion

If you’re the average summering Canuck, chances are you’re passing on America for your summer vacation.

A new survey suggests a majority are holidaying in-country this year. The BMO Real Financial Progress Index found 62 per cent of respondents plan to vacation in Canada this summer. No doubt many are avoiding the U.S. tiffed at its current administration’s stance toward Canada.

Recent Statistic Canada numbers reveal border crossing to the U.S. were down more than a third year over year in June by automobile and more than 20 per cent by plane.

Just because fewer of us are venturing south of the border, however, doesn’t mean we’re cutting back on holidaying with the survey finding respondents plan to spend on average $3,825.

A little less than half scrimped on spending to save for summer, with about a third dipping into long-term savings.

“Many are just deciding that with the Canadian dollar … it’s just more expensive to go to another country than just to stay in Canada,” says Tony Tintinalli, head of specialized sales at BMO.

“But they also understand that taking the break is important, and some are dipping into savings or have reduced spending earlier to have money for a summer holiday.”

Yet what if you’re among the slight majority who haven’t saved and now with mid-summer upon us, a vacation increasingly seems like a financial impossibility?

As the BMO survey shows, you’re in good company, with three-quarters of respondents stating inflation has harmed their ability to afford just about everything, including vacations.

That average spend of nearly $4,000 for a summer vacation is a big number, especially if you’re grappling with higher mortgage payments and rolling credit card balances, says Mark Kalinowski, education specialist with Credit Counselling Society in Calgary.

“Summers can be really hard because you’re likely taking the time off and maybe you’re not even getting paid.”

Then, there’s child care and summer camps. To that end, BMO’s poll found 61 per cent of parents aren’t dolling out dollars for either.

Kalinowski is familiar with tight budgets. He works with families who often struggle to afford groceries, let alone a summer vacation.

He also has insight having grown up in a low-income household with many siblings. Summer vacations were unaffordable mostly. In turn, staycations were the family’s jam, featuring frequent picnics in the park.

“The point is that summer fun with your family doesn’t have to cost a lot of money,” he adds.

Rather it’s a state of mind. It’s about spending time with the family rather than spending money on them. Hopefully, the result is having fun and building lasting memories, Kalinowski says.

Camping is another option — though not everyone has the required gear, he adds.

Some companies like Campable.ca offer complete rental packages, starting at a little more than $400 for a family of four for one week.

If even that sounds steep, former debt counsellor Christi Posner, based in Winnipeg, has some tips. Now a fintech industry consultant, she has done plenty of “reflecting on what makes a vacation feel like a break — and how to do that without blowing up” the budget for her own family.

Although overnight and day trips inevitably cost money, they’re still doable on a tight budget. After all, where there is a will, there is likely a way.

Among the money generating strategies is decluttering your house of unwanted items and having a yard sale. Another potential cash source is rewards points, she adds. The BMO Index notes more than half of respondents are using rewards for their vacation this summer among other expenses.

“Don’t overlook how helpful AI can be,” says Posner, whose work involves developing AI tools for financial literacy. “Use it to compare flying versus driving costs or build a weekend itinerary around free events and cheap eats.”

Just be careful when scouring for cheap, last-minute tickets for attractions, says a cybersecurity specialist.

Chief security evangelist at ESET Tony Anscombe, based in the United Kingdom, says social media often lists fake, short-term rentals that seem like great, last-minute deals.

“Scammers will take pictures of an unrelated property and create a fake listing,” he says. They often note having a recent cancellation on Airbnb and that they have posted the property on Facebook, for example, at a low price for a last-minute booking.

“Typically they ask for payment through a strange means — like a wire transfer,” he adds.

Don’t let desperation lead you to being duped out of money you fought so hard to find in the first place.

Then again, a little desperation is understandable and even OK. It can be a motivating, creative force to your benefit, Posner says.

“You don’t need to be rich to afford a summer vacation — you just need to be creative, intentional and true to your financial limits.”

Joel Schlesinger is a Winnipeg-based freelance journalist

joelschles@gmail.com