How to Get Good Souvenirs Cheap or Free While Traveling on a Budget

Souvenirs are the next best thing from a trip. The objects you collect while out of your city, state or country can be forever reminders of where you've been, and they can trigger memories for years to come. They are also a nice gift for others, who want a small piece of a location they may never get to go to.

The only downside to souvenirs is the cost. If you have a lot of people you are shopping for, it can get expensive. Likewise, if you are on a very strict budget, it is prudent to get souvenirs as cheaply as possible to keep costs down.

If you need to get souvenirs for little money, this article is for you. Below is a list of different ways to get special, meaningful souvenirs for little or no money.

Fliers, Newspapers, and Brochures

A newspaper costs less than $2, and nearly every country has them. You can usually get them at every bus stop, train station, and coffee shop. Newspapers are great souvenirs, because not only are they cheap, but they often contain a great deal of info and will be a time stamp for your trip.

Fliers are another good option. Keep those ones handed out at train stations and in high tourist areas, and collect the free fliers and brochures from train stations and other locations. If you are in a country that has a different language than your native one, the souvenirs will be liked even more, as they will seem exotic and different.

Dollar Stores

Most countries have some variation of the dollar store. These stores generally stock lower quality novelty and everyday items for $1 or less. In the US and Canada, they are usually called Dollar Stores or Dollar Generals. In Japan, they are called 100yen Shops. These shops can be found in just about every country, including the US, Canada, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UK/Europe.

These shops are great for smaller items that most people want - things like chopsticks or stickers or small snacks.

Flea Markets

Flea markets have the unique appeal of not only being cheap, but housing a huge array of items. You can usually haggle over the price and get it lowered, and find cool items that you may not otherwise be able to find.

Rocks and Seashells

Yes, rocks and seashells. People are surprisingly appreciative of rocks and shells from a different country. Get a nice smooth one and sand it with fine grain sandpaper, and then polish it with petroleum jelly and a cloth.

For shells, clean them and maybe seal them.

Postcards

Find a postcard that doesn't have logos, labels, or other nuisances on the front. These can be framed in picture frames or given as they are. These are just as good as a nice picture from the location, and you can write a nice note on the back.

Bulk Candy

Who doesn't like candy? You can usually find bulk bags of candy that are individually wrapped for less than it would cost to buy them separately. You can get a bag and slip it up between different people as a cheap solution to gift giving.