Out of State Gigs - Keep Travel Expense down

On occasion you may take on a consulting gig that is out of town. In the event the consultant is responsible for paying for all travel expense. The consultant needs to do a budget to ensure the gig is profitable or not. The case study below provide some tips to taking those out-of -Towner:

Case Study 1 - Boston Gig

Consultant Name: Johnny

Home Location: McLean, Virginia

Consulting Job Site: Boston, Massachusetts

Consultant Rate: $100 per hour All Inclusive Rate

Duration of Consulting Project: 90 days.

Start of Project: Sept 1, 2017

Lodging Analysis Step:

The biggest travel related expense will lodging. To get an idea of the average lodging cost in a desired sity, Johnny looked at the Government's "Per Diem Rates Look-up" table. The website can be found at:

https://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/26429

in the case of Boston the average cost (at time of this Blog's written) was about $296.00 per night and $69 for meals and incidental expense.

Johnny checked another website (www.kayak.com) and got a 'reasonable' price of $273.00 per night.

Both quotes were a little high for Johnny. In that case, Johnny looked at other ways to get a reasonable rate. Here's some tips:

1) Rent outside the city of Boston.

2) If possible, stay with a good friend or a relative. Be willing to pay for your stay.

3) Rent a room on a short-term basis. Check out Craigslist.org for a room to rent or other real estate rental website.

4) Find a cheap Motel.

5) If you work with other out-of-town consultants you may want to share lodging expense.

6) Inquiry about corporate discount at the hotel. Check with the Hotel Front Desk if they offer discounts for local businesses.

Transportation Analysis Step:

Johnny decided not to bring his car to Boston. This mean he'll need find an affordable way to get his job site. He can consider the more expensive route by taking a Taxi, Uber, or Lyft. But there are other cheaper ways to get to the job site:

1) Public Transportation (city bus, subways, train, shuttle service) - Note: Sometime ago I consulted in Buffalo, New York. In the beginning of the gig I paid $25 for Taxi to take me from the airport to the job site. I found out about the city-airport shuttle service and paid $5.00. A big savings. Do a little research and you'll find some great deals on transportation.

2) If you work with a lot of out-of-town consultants you may want to share a rental car.

3) Check if the client has a local shuttle service. IF the client allows consultants to use the shuttle take full advantage of the service.

Meals Analysis Step:

Depending on your personal dietary intake you maybe able to save on your meal expense. Here's some tips:

1) Buy your food from local grocery stores

2) Develop a meal plan budget. Don't exceed your food budget dollars

3) If you're staying at a hotel, avoid asking the staff for recommendations of places to eat. They tend to suggest expensive touristy spots near the hotel.

4) Take advantage of any available coupons, discounts or promotions where possible.

5) Buy a local coupon book.

6) If you're staying over the weekend, check if there is any volunteering opportunities. Some opportunities offers meals to those who help! Beside it is a good to help out in the first place.

More Tips to come for Case Study #1 - Stay Tune

Rather than give you a bunch of travel expense cost saving tips I am going to provide a "Case Study". Hope this "Case Study" drives home my cost saving tips

1) Rent a Room -