Stretching your vacation and your budget
Escaping from the confines of a cubicle or a classroom for a fun-filled
vacation is something most people dream about. The good news is that you
can enjoy your holiday without spending exorbitant amounts of money.
Read on for tips on how to stretch your vacation and your budget.
Think about what you'd really like to do on your vacation and create a
list to narrow your choices - whether it's hitting the beach, going
shopping, climbing a mountain or visiting a museum. Consider whether you
can do this somewhere nearby, or whether you know anyone who has
done your chosen activities before on a similar budget. Alternatively,
travel agencies or even chat rooms on the topic can provide great advice
on accommodations, places to dine, things to do and tourist traps to
avoid. Internet sites such as Yahoo! Travel, Expedia and Priceline are
often useful when seeking reasonable fares.
Peruse newspapers, magazines and websites for advertised deals (or
coupons) on items like hotels, rental cars or other methods of
transportation you'll be using. Major airlines also offer some
good money-saving packages, and many clubs or organizations offer
discounts to certain demographics such as students and senior citizens,
so be sure to ask vendors what discounts are available and whether you
qualify. Booking online can often save you up to 30%.
Don't just call the hotel and airline directly to make reservations;
call them to inquire not only about price, but also to determine whether
any of the travel websites enable you to plan, price and book the trip
online. Many travel websites direct travelers in bulk to certain
destinations, which can mean cheaper rates than you'd be able to fetch
on your own. In addition, some travel organizations offer discounted
rates to groups, when asked. If you don't ask, you might not be offered
the discount - and don't forget to negotiate!
Unless you've landed a great all-inclusive vacation, one of your biggest
expenses when traveling is dining. Consider packing a cooler with your
favorite lunch or dinner items. Alternatively, you could visit the local
supermarket each day to shop for some of your meals. This can save you a
lot of money over the length of your trip
A great way to save money is to find a destination that you and your
family can enjoy that is close to home. This way, you can avoid costly
transportation such as airfare. Alternatively, you can have a
"staycation", where you relax at home and enjoy the flavor of your
hometown. You can then use some of your savings on a spa day or park
pass
Many parents don't have the luxury of spending time with the kids all
summer. Summer camps can be an affordable way to ensure your children
are in a safe environment and give you some time to yourself. To save
money, it is often less expensive to send kids to camp in shorter two-
or three-day trips throughout the summer rather than for five or more
consecutive days. Day camps that bus children to daily activities are an
option that cuts the costs of food, lodging and full-time staff. Early
registration can also provide discounts, and many camps also offer gift
certificates - which might be an ideal birthday or holiday gift for your
child or someone you know.
If you're looking to stay or travel close to home, chances are you'll be
relying on the family car. Therefore, it makes sense to ensure that the
vehicle is operating properly. In addition to offering roadside
assistance (for a price) if necessary, the American Automobile
Association (AAA) can help you find a car, and obtain financing and
automobile insurance. AAA also offers travel discounts on hotels,
cruises and other travel-related items. AAA even offers lower rates at
many local merchants.
Certain destinations are in high demand during certain times of the
year. As a result, traveling when everyone else wants to travel can
become quite expensive as merchants hike prices during these peak
seasons. If you can avoid traveling during a peak season, you can
potentially cut costs by 10-50%. Another benefit of avoiding peak season
is reduced competition for certain landmarks and attractions. Fewer
people means smaller lineups and better photo opportunities. Time of day
is another consideration. For example, a theater matinée is often
cheaper than the price at night. Time of day can also affect the cost of
air travel.
If your travel plans take you out of the country, high fees related to
currency exchange can leave you with a bitter aftertaste. You can easily
save a few extra dollars by conducting a pretrip investigation. The
best conversion rates are generally found in the country to which you
are traveling. However, don't whip our your wallet at the airport, where exchanges tend to be pricey. Instead, head for automated teller machines
affiliated with major banks. Also, be sure to check your credit card
company's exchange rates before you leave. You may be charged 1% for
conversion as well as a 1-2% service fee. This is generally less than
what you'd pay if you were exchanging cash or traveler's checks.
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