Tips For Planning A Vacation On A Budget

By Author: Jesse Henson
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Everyone is looking for a way to travel but within the means of their budget and there are certainly many ways to do this. The first step is to create that budget and work at spending some time preplanning your trip. After that, the only thing required is for you to enjoy your time.

How does one preplan? Here are a few tips for you to take into consideration in regards to fitting your vacation into your budget.

1. Do Your Homework - If you have a particular destination in mind, plan ahead, do your homework in what it is you want to see and do. Your travel agent, given enough time, can help you identify what types of specials or discounts there may be. You can also look for other things to do or see near your destination so that you can make good use of your time and cut down on the running from place to place.

2. Travel Off Season - Plan your vacation for the off-season. When traveling off-season, you can typically get better deals on plane tickets, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. If you are flying try to plan your trip when tickets are traditionally cheapest, which is February through May and then ...
... September through December (except the week before Thanksgiving and the two week period before Christmas). Try to avoid flying on Friday afternoons as this is often the busiest time of the week for airlines. Airlines typically release fare sales on Tuesdays, and the major airlines usually match each other's prices, so, Tuesday afternoons and evenings are great times to check airfares. Booking your flight and hotel together as a package also can be a money saver.

And while it's generally better to buy airline tickets as far in advance as possible, shoot for at least two weeks ahead of time, it is possible to find last-minute deals if you have that flexibility. However, there's no guarantee you'll get your preferred dates.

3. Eating Wisely - Eating out adds up when traveling, as restaurants are often pricey in tourist-oriented areas. To help save yourself some money on lunches or even dinner, try taking food with you. If you are flying, you can visit the local grocery store and stock up. When you do eat out, find out where the locals eat. Ask around. The smaller family owned places usually have better food at better prices. You may have to go a little out of your way but it is usually worth it for some vacation money savings.

4. Where to Stay - Hotels that are closer to a major attraction are typically more expensive, yet transportation costs could be high - so weigh the costs. When picking hotels don't just go by the ratings. Compare the amenities they offer. Often you will find that you really don't need everything offered by that 4 star hotel and you can do very nicely at the 3 star -with a better price!

There is also the option of camping or renting an RV. With an RV you are getting your vehicle, cooking and sleeping arrangements all in one package. And, your bathrooms are always close by. There are many RV clubs who can help assist you in places to see and go in your RV, where to camp and what types of amenities are offered for RV's.

If you can't afford an RV, just camping out can be fun and a money saver. Camping is a great vacation money saving idea. Most destinations have a campground nearby and typically they are cheap and offer amenities for showers, cooking out and more.

5. Gas Prices - When traveling by car, weigh out whether you should take your own vehicle or whether you can save money by renting a smaller fuel-efficient vehicle. Packing light, reducing your speed and maintaining proper tire air pressure will also cut the gas costs. If you fly to a location, you can take advantage of picking up a cheap rental car or utilizing the city's transit system of buses, trains or trolleys, which are cheaper than taxis.

6. Activities - Plan activities that don't require a lot of money. Hiking, and swimming are affordable and children as well as adults love them. Try visiting the local museums or historical sites - they are often more affordable than large theme parks or other pricey tours. A picnic is an enjoyable activity that the whole family can enjoy - not only are you saving on a meal out, but picnics can be relaxing and a way to enjoy the area.

7. Create Checklist - Create a packing list so that you don't forget the small things that would later have to be purchased. By creating such a checklist, you may not have to find buy things like bathing suits or sunscreen. Do a walk through of your home and write down all the things you use for personal hygiene or just want to take on your vacation. Tape the list to the top of the suitcase so that when you pack, it is easy to find and check off items that go into it.

8. Watch Frivolous Spending - While on vacation, it is easy to get caught up in the place and experience, whereupon you buy souvenirs you will never use or that may only later start collecting dust. Set some mental rules ahead of time about how much you will spend on souvenirs and it will be easier to stick to it when the time comes.

While these eight steps sound simple, you will be surprised how a little preplanning of your vacation will go a long way in making your vacation an affordable success.
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