The long Eid Al-Fitr holiday is finally here. For many of you, this means it’s time to take that annual homecoming trip also known as mudik. Mudik is an important tradition for Indonesians; this year, it is estimated some 23 million people will embark on this journey to visit their parents or relatives in their hometowns to celebrate the holiday together.
While it is important to make the effort to get together with your whole family for the holiday, keeping your travel budget in check will also prove beneficial for your financial well-being. Here are five great ways to save money during mudik, so you’ll still have some of that holiday bonus left for your retirement savings or investment when you return home.
Read also: 4 Activities to Make Your Mudik Trip More Memorable and Meaningful
Bring water bottles
When you are traveling, buying bottled water can cost you a small fortune. Instead, bring your own water bottles and fill them up before you go. If you are visiting friends or relatives, you may ask if you can refill your bottles. You can also ask at hotels and restaurants if they have a water dispenser that you can fill your bottles from.
Pro tip: Download the RefillMyBottle mobile app, which will show locations where you can refill your bottle for free or minimum fee. RefillMyBottle is primarily available in big cities in Java and Bali.
Pack pre-made meals for the road
Having pre-made meals readily available means fewer trips to restaurants. If you’re going on a mudik road trip, find a place to stop and have a picnic with your family. Find easy-to-pack road trip recipes here.
Opt for no breakfast and eat local
If you are staying in hotels during your travel, sometimes it’s cheaper to book a room without breakfast. Instead, find a nice local eatery that serves cheap and authentic local food. You will find that many of those are street vendors and they are definitely much cheaper than fancy hotel restaurants.
Keep an eye out for vouchers and discounts or get creative
Use apps or websites like Traveloka, Tiket.com, or Lakupon to find deals on popular attractions. This can save you a lot of money. But if you are really pinching pennies, you might want to skip the big tourist attractions in favor of cheaper activities. Try strolling through a local park or town square, where you may find free activities for children and adults alike.
Looking for souvenirs to bring home? Try the local market
The best place to find cheap souvenirs is usually at the local traditional market where you can find local craftsmen selling their wares. You may find that the prices there is much lower than at tourist centers or big shopping malls. You can also keep an eye out for micro businesses near where you are staying that produce and sell local delicacies or handicrafts that you can buy and take home as souvenirs.
So there you go; our five great ways on how to save money during your mudik trip. Now you can take that homecoming trip without breaking the bank and still have some money set aside for savings or investment. Happy mudik, everyone!