Top Tips for Adding Some Affordable Fun to Your Next Business Trip

It’s frustrating, right?

You work and work and work, but you never seem to get any downtime, especially when you’re on your trip. Well, here’s how to flip things around, kick your feet up, and do it in a way that your boss won’t mind.

Wait Until Your Work Is Actually Done

The first thing you must do before having fun is make sure that your work is actually done. Obvious, right? Well, here’s something that’s not so obvious: you’re probably working way too long at your job.

Most people do.

If you’re not using a pomodoro timer, you’re probably not working very efficiently and, because of that, you’re working too long. And, that’s eating into your playtime. A pomodoro timer forces you to take breaks periodically throughout the day. Oddly enough, this results in you being more productive.

And, you end up finishing your workday sooner because you stay motivated and energetic throughout the day.

So, if you don’t have one of these timers, get one and use the pomodoro technique to manage your day.

Get Away From It All

Your trip took you to a particular area of the city, but why stay there? If you have a trade show or conference in one place, then you should book a hotel in another part of the city. Booking onsite or close to your event or work might shorten your commute, but it also doesn’t let you explore the area. If time permits, give yourself an extra half-hour in the morning to walk around or explore before you get to work.

And, when you’re done with your workday or your event, you can meander back to your hotel, stopping at local attractions along the way.

You might even want to extend your stay so you can attend some of the local events.

Get In Touch With Other People

You don’t have to be a hermit on your trips. Before you schedule your trip, reach out to friends or family or other associates that might live near where you’ll be going. You can also ask them about exciting or interesting things to do in the area. They may be free and can help you out by giving you a tour or spending some time with you.

If it’s an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile, why not do it?

Schedule Some Downtime

Traveling is never easy – especially by plane. Jetlag is something you’ve probably experienced at some point. Long security lines, and delayed flights are also just part of the ordeal. The airlines’ routine practice of double-booking only makes it more annoying. But, that could actually be an opportunity in disguise.

The next time you travel on a plane, schedule some flexible downtime before and after your flight. Most airlines will compensate you for voluntarily giving up your seat to other passengers in the event that the flight is overbooked. If this happens, don’t sweat it. Take advantage of the airline’s generosity and go do your own thing.

Not only does this eliminate the frustration, you actually get to do something productive with your time.

And, if you’re using Chase Ink Plus, you might be able to get an even bigger overall discount with the 20% off travel deal.

Eat A Good Meal

Eating out all the time can get old. But, if you plan it out right, you can probably still get a good home cooked meal. Avoid chain restaurants, and plan out a trip to a local hotspot where you can get fresh meals prepared for you by a real chef.

Call ahead to make reservations and check out the place on Yelp and other similar sites before you commit to anything. Remember to respect your body – don’t always jump at the chance to eat junk food because “it’s easy.” Be adventurous and eat at local restaurants that prepare fresh, organic, and local fare.

Some places will even offer discounts to out-of-towners – ask. You never know. Keep track of all of your meal expenses too, because these are usually tax-deductible. Just use common sense when it comes to buying meals for a tax deduction and don’t go crazy. The IRS allows you to deduct reasonable expenses for travel meals.

So, no, you can’t drink 5 pitchers of beer and expect that to count as a business expense. Above all else, try to have some fun with it. As long as you’re eating at an established restaurant, and you’re saving your receipts, you shouldn’t have any problems taking it all back to your accountant.

Jordan Long travels extensively for business and is frequently in Asia and Europe for business meetings. When time allows he incorporates some sightseeing into his itinerary and likes nothing more than when his wife can travel with him.