Many people would travel more if only it wasn't so expensive. One of the best ways that I know of to travel on a budget is by buying or renting a timeshare resale from an existing owner. These are timeshares for sale and rent by owner, so their prices are significantly discounted from the price you’d pay through a resort directly. When I express my enthusiasm for timeshares though, people tend to look at me with suspicion. However, there are several reasons why you might be able to see the world on a budget with a timeshare.

Timeshares are pretty flexible these days, and they can be found in nearly every corner of the world. From the famous vacation spots like Orlando to lesser-known locales, timeshares are here to stay. Using them might enable you to fulfill your lifelong dreams of travel.

Timeshares of the past restricted you to one resort for the life of your membership. This is no longer the case. Nowadays all timeshares are eligible for exchange through services like RCI and Interval International (II). These services help timeshare owners exchange their timeshare for someone else’s timeshare in a different location in a different part of the world.

Some timeshares, like WorldMark and Bluegreen, are points-based and allow owners to vacation at any of the resorts within their network without using a 3rd party exchange service like RCI or II. This keeps costs down and offers the greatest flexibility for travel. WorldMark has timeshares all over the world, but Bluegreen is U.S. only. 

One of the main reasons to buy a timeshare resale is that it makes financial sense if you travel a lot. You lock in your price when you purchase, so inflation does not affect future travel. Wouldn't you love to be able to travel today at prices from a decade or two ago? That's what owning a timeshare can do for you.

In addition, timeshare resales save you money even when you're in the middle of a vacation. It is not at all uncommon in the timeshare world to find accommodations that have full kitchens. This means that you always have the option of dining in instead of going to restaurants. Plus, these are not the tiny kitchenettes that you find in many hotel rooms. You may find full-size appliances, granite countertops and all of the utensils and equipment that you need to make and serve multi-course meals. Without a doubt, this provides you with an outstanding bargain, but only if bought on the resale market. Don’t even think about buying or renting a timeshare through a resort developer directly.

When people first consider buying timeshares, they frequently look directly to the timeshare companies like Hilton or Disney to make a purchase. However, this is not necessarily the best option. Buying or renting on the resale market can easily save you thousands of dollars. Many of these timeshare opportunities are priced at pennies on the dollar when compared with their original purchase price. If you are really serious about traveling more and saving money, then a timeshare resale may be the way to go.

If you are interested in seeing what staying in a timeshare is really like, then you might consider renting at a timeshare property for your next vacation. This gives you a glimpse into the world of timeshares. Chances are good that you will appreciate all of the perks that are available at these deluxe properties.