Over the past few years most people have realized the dangers of using a credit card for purchases. In addition to identity theft, there’s the very real risk of spending too much and going into debt. However, when traveling, whether abroad or locally, using your credit card offers a number of benefits. These benefits range from safety to saving money.
Let’s take a look at five benefits of using your credit card when traveling.
1. Rewards – Frequent flyer miles are the most significant reward you can receive when using your credit card for travel. You can really rack them up when you’re traveling and they’ll eventually end up in a free flight. Additionally, many credit cards offer rewards for using specific rental car companies and hotels. The rewards can add up to free merchandise or cash back.
2. Security – While there is a risk of identity theft when using your credit card, most credit cards offer instant cancellation and you’re not responsible for purchases you haven’t made. When traveling this is a much more secure option than traveling with cash. If you lose cash or are pickpocketed or robbed, the cash is gone. If your credit card is stolen, you cancel it and it can be replaced within 24 hours.
3. Budget – Believe it or not, using a credit card while you’re traveling can help you stick to a budget. When you use a credit card you have instant online access to your purchases and your balance. This means you can stay on top of what you’ve spent. Additionally, if you get a prepaid credit card, say with $2000 on it, then you can commit to only using that card and not going over your budget. Your vacation is already paid for because it’s a prepaid card and you can rest easy.
4. Insurance – Many credit cards offer travel insurance. This can really help you out of a bind. And some of the concierge services offered by some credit cards can actually help you plan your vacation, make reservations and find package vacation deals.
5. Finally, the currency conversion rates for many credit cards can help you get a fair exchange rate. It can help you actually save a bit of money. And you don’t have to worry about figuring out the exchange rate each time you make a purchase. The credit card company does it for you.
Traveling can be a harrowing experience or it can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. A credit card can make all the difference. Before you head out on your next vacation, consider using a credit card to manage your trip.
The cost of gas is continually rising. However, that doesn’t mean you need to keep paying more for the gas you put in your car. There are some tricks you can use to improve your mileage and use less gas. Here are some suggestions for beating rising gas prices.
* Check your tires – Under-inflated tires are one of the most common culprits of less than optimal mileage. When they are under-inflated, you need to use more gas to keep the car moving. Since tires lose air due to time and temperature, it is worth checking them regularly. Get a reliable tire gauge and test your tires once a month. Your car’s instruction manual will tell you the optimal tire pressure for your car.
* Avoid idling – Idling is letting the car run without going anywhere. This is a common way of wasting gas. We idle while waiting for the kids to get out of school, while picking up a friend, or warming up a car in cold weather. If you’re waiting for more than a couple of minutes, though, you’ll use more gas than if you turned your car off and restarted it. Also, many people let their cars idle longer than necessary in cold weather. Besides saving your gas, turning your car off will also be better for the environment.
* Use public transportation – If possible, use public transportation instead of driving. Some cities have great transit systems that can get you anywhere within a reasonable time. You may have to plan ahead of time, and be more organized, but the savings on your gas could make it all worthwhile.
* Car sharing – Car sharing gives you the flexibility of driving without the hassles of owning a car. When you participate in a car sharing network, you have access to a fleet of vehicles. You can reserve what you need and have access to it at any time of day, without all the extra expenses. You only pay for the time you use the vehicle.
* Carpooling – Carpooling is a great way to keep costs of gas down. Share a ride with a friend or two who are going to the same place. This can work for shuttling kids around town or driving to work. You can take turns driving or split the cost of the gas. Some cities even have carpool lanes to encourage carpooling and make it easier to get where you’re going if you’re in a carpool.
* Keep speed low – One of the easiest ways to keep your gas costs down is simply to drive a little slower. As your speed increases, the fuel you use increases exponentially. If you can keep your speed until 60 miles an hour, that is optimal for your best gas mileage.
* If you’re thinking of buying a newer car, buy a hybrid – Replacing your car just to get better gas mileage is probably impractical. But if you’re in the market for a new car, you may want to consider a hybrid that uses less gas.
It is possible to beat rising gas prices. Don’t let them hold you hostage. Instead, use some of these tips to improve your mileage and spend less money.
How to Find Last-Minute Labor Day Getaways for Less
Labor Day is just about here, which means summer is almost over and autumn is on its way. This is the last long weekend of the summer season. So that means it’s the perfect time to plan a getaway. If you have left planning your Labor Day getaway until the last minute, don’t worry. There are still plenty of quick trips you can plan to celebrate the end of one season and the start of the next. They can also be very affordable; you just need to know where to look to find them.
Here are some frugal ideas for finding last-minute Labor Day getaways for less:
1. Check out Expedia.com. Expedia.com lists last-minute deals and offers for travelers looking for a quick getaway. When you find a trip that appeals to you and is in your budget, be sure to book it right away. Their great deals are often scooped up almost as quickly as they are posted.
2. Tell your friends. Spread the word that you’re looking for a last-minute Labor Day getaway deal. They might know someone else who isn’t going to be able to make theirs, and connect the two of you. They also may have heard of other getaways you haven’t.
3. Check for seat sales. Airlines often have last-minute deals for travelers on some of their flights. If you’re flexible as to where you travel to, you may be able to fly there at a much cheaper rate than normal. You may not be able to travel on the exact date or at the exact time you want to, but if you can pick up a seat sale, you can travel for a lot less than you normally would.
Call your local airlines to find out if they have any sales and what their destinations are. Your savings on the flight could mean you have more money to spend on fun once you get there.
4. Read the newspaper ads. If your local newspaper has a travel section, start scanning it for ads for cheap travel packages. As Labor Day approaches, you might start seeing some of these. When you find one you like, be sure to book it right away as they are usually booked quickly by other savvy frugal travelers.
5. Call your favorite hotel chain. They might have a sale on room bookings. Call and see if they have any special sales on for Labor Day. Again, you might not be able to be picky about where you go, but the savings could make it all worthwhile.
6. Search on the internet. The internet is always a great source of last-minute information. Search for cheap trips to your destination and see what comes up. Remember to research any opportunity thoroughly before sending any money.
The Labor Day weekend is summer’s last hurrah! Make the most of it by booking a last-minute getaway without breaking your budget.
Everybody loves a nice, relaxing, vacation. The family vacation gives us a chance to focus on family and spend some quality time together. Unfortunately, sometimes the family vacation can be costly. Especially, if you have a large family.
Including a vacation in your plans can be a challenge on a tight budget. For those of you who want to get in that family quality time, yet don’t have the finances for an extravagant vacation, here are some frugal family vacation tips. Since the goal here is to get the most fun for your money, let’s talk about some frugal and low cost vacation ideas and tips that could be right for your family.
1. Camping: A great low cost option for families that enjoy the outdoors. Don’t worry, you don’t have to sleep in a tent. There are lots of state parks that rent cabins for a very reasonable fee. As an added bonus, when you are registered at a state park, you gain free entrance into all state parks.
2. Beach It: If you want to beach it, be sure to check out all your options for lodging. Sometimes a large family can do better by renting a condo or home for the week rather than staying at a hotel. Remember, you can save a tremendous amount of money if you can prepare your own meals while on vacation. A good portion of a families vacation budget can be literally “eaten up”! Even a little kitchenette in a suite can save you big bucks. If you’re campers, you can almost always find a campground near popular beach areas and get maximum savings on lodging.
3. Low Cost Lodging: Don’t forget your best resources, friends and family. Ask around to see if anyone has visited an area you plan to go. You may get lucky and have a “friend that has a friend” who maybe has a vacation spot they wouldn’t mind renting to you for a lesser fee. Sometimes people won’t rent out their vacation spots for various reasons, but don’t mind doing so if the tenant is a trusted acquaintance of a friend or family member.
4. Visit Friends and Family: Plan to visit friends and family that live far away, or even those that live close, and you rarely find the time to visit. In today’s fast paced society it’s not unusual for family and friends to lose touch. You’ll save money and get to catch up on what’s happening with friends and/or family that you haven’t visited recently. This will be fun for everyone and reinforce family togetherness.
Whatever you decide to do, if you’re traveling a great distance be sure to check all your travel options. With today’s soaring gas prices it’s not unlikely that you may be able to get there faster, and cheaper, in the air. Hey, maybe there’s a conspiracy here?
If all this just doesn’t fall into your category of “fun”, and you just have to have that exotic resort vacation, then at least be sensible about it. There are many great deals on vacation packages and off season rentals. And, oodles of travel agencies just waiting to tell you about them.
This is one area where do-it-yourself isn’t always the most practical advice. Travel agencies are privy to a lot of travel information, especially seasonal discounts, that you and I don’t have knowledge of. Do Your Research at least for goodness sake. You won’t be kicking yourself later when you come across that great deal you missed out on!
Check out your local travel agencies, as well as some of the many online agencies. Don’t forget, if you’re an AAA member you’re eligible for travel discounts. Before finalizing any plans, be sure to know your rights. What happens if you have to cancel? What is the deadline to cancel? Will you loose your deposit or is it refundable? Know your options.
Remember, the most important thing about family vacations is to spend quality time together. Have fun, and have a safe and happy frugal family vacation!
Whether you are planning on a cross-country road trip or just driving a few miles for groceries, the rising cost of gas, the dependency on foreign oil and the damage gas production and usage causes to our environment is something to think about. There is no way to completely reduce these problems, at least while still owning and using a gas-burning vehicle, but there are many ways to minimize them.
1. Top running condition – If your car is maintained at its optimum condition, including frequent oil changes, tune-ups and any necessary repairs, it will burn less gas. Make sure the gas cap is always tightly sealed and external trim is properly secured. The cost of these items could even be balanced out by the savings in fuel cost if you drive a great deal.
2. Good tires – Monitor the condition of your tires and replace them when they are starting to show wear. Even if they don’t show any problems, they should be replaced on a regular basis, depending upon the specifications of the tire. Make sure to maintain proper tire pressure as well; underinflated tires cause a huge waste of fuel.
3. Proper speed – Maintaining the speed limit is not only good for your safety, it’s good for your fuel efficiency as well. The optimum driving speed is around 55 mph, and every mile above 60 mph costs you.
4. Slow your stops and starts – Gunning the engine to hit 60 like a race car wastes gas, and waiting until you are upon a stop sign to stop pressing on the gas is not only dangerous but a waste as well. Always accelerate at a slow, even pace and anticipate stops by letting your car coast a while before you need to start braking.
5. Air conditioning – Whether or not to use the AC in your car should be dictated by the speed you are driving. When driving in town and making frequent stops, running the AC gets expensive due to the higher idling of your engine, so opt for windows down if possible. On the highway, however, having the windows down will create a wind-drag on your vehicle and have the opposite effect. It is best to keep all windows shut tightly and the AC running as low as is comfortable when driving at higher speeds.
6. Lighten up – Reduce the amount of weight in your trunk and on top of your car to reduce drag. Non-essential items in the trunk, such as sandbags, an old flat tire, canned goods or tools cause your engine to work harder and use more gas. If you aren’t specifically transporting the heavy items somewhere, then take them out. The same goes for items on top of your car. Remove luggage racks if possible, and do not use them to carry items unless there is no room elsewhere for them. Modern vehicles are designed to let the air flow smoothly over the car, but having items on top interrupts that flow creating a drag on the engine.
These are just a handful of the top things you can do to reduce your gas mileage. You can test out a variety of options for your car by keeping track of your habits and gas mileage or by installing a mileage meter. Learn more about ways to reduce your gas consumption through educational websites such as EcoDrivingUSA.com and DriveSmarterChallenge.org.
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Frugal Tips to Shrink Your Grocery Bill Ebook
Frugal Tips to Shrink Your Grocery Bill (Plus Recipes!) offers helpful money saving tips that will cut your grocery bill. Who doesn’t want to and need to save money in these hard financial times? Find out how to save money on groceries with this frugal tips ebook. Also included are some delicious frugal recipes.
