We came back from a weeklong trip a few years ago and I opened the credit card statement. I actually said “that cannot be right” out loud. It was right. We had spent nearly three thousand dollars on what was supposed to be a budget vacation. The flights and hotel were reasonable. It was everything else — the meals, the activities, the “we are on vacation so why not” purchases — that doubled the cost.

Now we plan trips differently. We spend less and have a better time because we are not stressed about the money. Here is what changed.

Book Flights on the Right Day

Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings consistently have the lowest airfare, according to years of data from Google Flights and Hopper. Sunday is the most expensive day to book. Also: clear your browser cookies or search in incognito mode. Airlines and booking sites use cookies to track repeat searches and sometimes raise prices when they see you coming back.

Eat One Meal In

Book accommodations with at least a kitchenette — not a full kitchen, just a mini-fridge and a microwave. Eat breakfast in the room every day. Cereal, yogurt, fruit, coffee. That saves twenty to thirty dollars per person per day. For a couple on a seven-day trip, that is roughly three hundred dollars back in your pocket. Use that money for one genuinely great dinner instead of seven forgettable breakfasts at a diner.

Travel Mid-Week

Flights and hotels are dramatically cheaper Tuesday through Thursday. A Saturday-to-Saturday trip and a Wednesday-to-Wednesday trip can cost hundreds of dollars less for the same destination. If your schedule allows any flexibility, fly on Tuesday or Wednesday and return on a weekday. You also get shorter security lines and less crowded attractions as a bonus.