How many times this week have you heard someone start off a sentence with, “Well, in this economy…”?
It seems like the economy has become the scapegoat for anything and everything in our daily lives and certainly the center of our attention. So whether or not you’ve taken it a bit far and attribute your slightly soggy French fries to the depressed economy, the fact is that the state of the economy does have all of us thinking about ways to save a buck or two.
In a recent challenge to myself, I decided to see how far $20 would go in a 24 hour period in the airport. Next time you head to the airport, consider these small buck saving practices:
1. Newspapers. Before you purchase another newspaper for your flight, scan the gate area and notice all of the newspapers lying on the chairs. I never waited longer than a couple of minutes before I could find a newspaper waiting to be put to use.
2. Coffee. We’ve all been told by now how much money can be saved in an average week just by cutting out the gourmet coffee expense. As a coffee lover, I know this is difficult for some, but there are good options at a slightly lower price. Dunkin Donuts offers a great option.
3. Smarte Carte. If you’re not in a terrible hurry but need some assistance with your heavy luggage, don’t settle for the first Smarte Carte stand you find. Walk a couple of extra gates and keep your eyes peeled for a Smarte Carte that was abandoned. It will save you a quick $3.
4. Water Bottle. Instead of purchasing the $3 bottled water at each of your stops along your journey, bring an empty bottle with you and fill it up in the drinking fountains throughout your travels. Those $3 drinks add up quickly.
These small adjustments along your path will save you at least $10 per trip. For the frequent weekly traveler, this could save anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand over the course of a year.
“In this economy,” that may not be a bad idea.
Jason Barger is author of Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Change the World, Start at the Airport.
Jason Barger spent seven straight days flying 6,458 miles to seven different cities – without leaving the airports the entire time. He studied 10,000 minutes of observations at all four corners of the U.S. and reflected on how our airport experiences can teach us about our lives TODAY. The funny and inspiring stories remind us how to change our daily world in our personal lives, businesses, schools, and faith communities! Join the movement. All four editions of Step Back from the Baggage Claim are motivational books perfect for anyone looking to impact change in their life and work.
