by BlondieWrites on February 6, 2010
Are you ready to start planning your family’s summer vacation? In the past, this was an exciting time. However, the economy now has many Americans in a financial bind. If you are one of those Americans, planning your family vacation may no longer be as fun. In fact, it is something you may dread. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be. Although you are on a budget, there are many ways that you can plan a cheap, yet fun family vacation this summer. How?
1 – Stay Close to Home
When many of us think of summer vacations, plane rides and faraway destinations often come to mind. People like to getaway. A family from New York is likely to opt for Hawaii or Florida as their summer vacation destination. A family from Florida may opt for the Caribbean or New York City. These vacations are nice. After all, you get away and get to experience something new. Nevertheless, if you are on a budget this year, you should think closer to home. Plan a new activity each day and have a series of daylong vacations. For example, visit a state park with a natural pool and hiking trails on day one, travel to a nearby museum for day two, visit a semi-local amusement park on day three, and so forth.
2 – Let Your Children Help Choose Activities
Staying close to home is one of the best ways to save money on a summer vacation. If you plan a series of daylong vacations for the week, start close to home. Your family can sleep in their own beds each night. As you get farther away from home, book a hotel. Unfortunately, with this arrangement many parents feel like they are shortchanging their children, especially if they were used to the above mentioned faraway vacation destinations. Remember, you are operating with limited financial resources. Planning activities you can afford is more important. However, you can reduce boredom by letting your children help plan. For example, your teenage daughter can plan day two of your vacation, your ten-year-old son can help plan day three, and so forth.
3 – Give Camping a Try
If you don’t want to stay close to home, you are likely to book your airline reservations and a hotel room. Price compare to find the best deals. However, you should never pay more than $100 a night for a hotel room. This just gets too costly, especially if you are on a budget. A good and cheaper alternative is to camp. All across the country, you will find campground parks and state parks with camping accommodations. Camping rates vary greatly, but most charge no more than $25 a night!
4 – Wisely Choose Your Travel Dates
If you don’t want to stay close to home, wisely choose your travel dates. Since you are planning a summer vacation, you will find increased rates, but look at the little things. It is cheaper to vacation at the beginning or end of the summer. The middle is the most expensive. You will find higher hotel rates and fewer available rooms when there is a popular concert, sporting event, or convention in town.
5 – Don’t Wait for Last Minute Travel Deals
When it comes to finding travel deals and discounts, many mistakenly believe you should wait until the last minute. Yes, many hotels, airlines, and car rental companies offer last minute travel deals and discounts, but they are usually less common during the summer. The summer is a peak travel seasons and they rarely have problems filling planes and hotel rooms. For most, it is too risky to wait. If you are one of those individuals, plan your trip in advance, but always be on the lookout for moneysaving deals and discounts. Luckily, hotels, airlines, and car rental companies offer them all year round, not just at the last minute.
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by BlondieWrites on January 30, 2010
The majority of us live a very fast paced lifestyle that involves more things to get done than we really have time for. As a result, it is ourselves that we don’t fully take care of. Planning a vacation is a great way to reward yourself for your hard work as well as have some time to relax. Many people think they can’t afford a vacation, but with some time spent looking into various aspects of things it is very possible to take the vacation you want without paying a fortune for it.
First, you need to decide where you want to travel so that you can collect all the information about getting there and the various attractions. If you need transportation to get there look at the various options. Many people think getting a package vacation that includes airfare, hotel, and a rental car is the best way to go. In many cases it can be but that isn’t always the case. It depends on the various specials that are available.
For example my husband and I wanted to take our children to Disneyland. Yet the cost was several thousand dollars for the roundtrip flight, hotel, passes to the parks, and rental car. We thought about going somewhere else but decided to see what our options were first. We discovered that it was almost $300 per person to fly to California and back.
Yet we found roundtrip tickets to Las Vegas Nevada for $99 per person. We rented our car from that airport instead and drove the remaining 4 ½ hours to California. With a family of five, we saved $1,000 less the cost of gas to get back and forth. This definitely allowed us to be able to take the vacation we wanted on the budget we had available.
If you can schedule your vacation on the off season for your location you will save a great deal of money. Common vacation spots like Hawaii, Cancun and the Bahamas are always more expensive in the summer time. Yet they are absolutely gorgeous even in the winter months. Traveling on weekdays instead of over the weekend will also save you money. In most cases your hotel room will increase by at least $40 per night if you stay in it on a Friday or Saturday night.
Cruises have become a popular type of vacation because there is so much to do on a cruise ship. It also allows you to start enjoying the trip as soon as you arrive on the ship so you have more time to actual relax and try out the various activities. The majority of cruise vacations are all inclusive. This means that all of your meals, lodging, and activities on the ship are covered.
You can save money by choosing a port to leave from that is inexpensive for you to get to. You will likely have to drive or to fly to the port location. Find out which amenities are offered on a given cruise vacation. If you find you won’t use many of them, then look for a cruise that offers more of them you will use. This way you are only paying for what you will be accessing during the vacation.
Another good way to save a substantial amount of money on a cruise vacation is to down grade your lodging area. Most people don’t spend very much time in their room while on a cruise so it is silly to pay for the most luxurious rooms. You can get a smaller but comfortable room for about 1/3 of the price on most cruise ships.
When it comes to saving money on vacations, if your travel dates are flexible you will save plenty of money. This is one of the best bargains if your schedule allows for it. Most airlines, cruise lines, and hotels would rather offer the space at a discounted price than to have it remain empty. The internet is the best place to find these bargain last minute deals.
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by BlondieWrites on November 17, 2009
Thanksgiving is a holiday that’s best spent with family. For some of us, our extended families are just a stone’s throw away. For others, they’re across the state or across the country. If we want to see them during our short time off of work, we have to fly.
Flying during the holiday season can be an expensive proposition. And if you don’t plan your trip until the last minute, it can be difficult to even get a seat. But if you know a few tricks, there are spectacular deals to be had.
One thing that many travelers don’t think of is changing their dates of departure. This can make a huge difference in your fares. The day before Thanksgiving tends to be the most popular day for departure, so leaving two days ahead of time could possibly save you money. And if you’re willing to catch a flight on Thanksgiving Day, you could save big bucks since there won’t be many people flying. Fly back on the following Monday or Tuesday, and you could also save money on your return trip.
Another way you could save is by flying to a different airport. You’ll have to travel further by car to get to your destination, but if you can save enough money on your flight, it will be well worth the trouble. Just plan to land a little earlier than you would have at the closest airport, and you’ll still get to spend plenty of time with the family.
If you’re planning your trip just a week or two in advance, you could find a great deal through an online booking engine such as Lastminute.com. They help airlines book seats that would otherwise be empty, so they usually come at a significant discount. The biggest drawback is that you can’t be certain that you will be able to get a flight to where you want to go, but if you’re flexible there’s usually some way that you can make it to your destination.
The cost of the ticket itself can vary significantly, but it’s also important to consider fees. There are usually more fees charged when you buy through a third party than when you purchase your ticket directly from the airline. So make sure to read the fine print before completing a transaction online or through a travel agent. You’ll also have to pay an additional fee if you check a second bag in most cases, and that fee can be rather hefty.
Air travel during the holidays has a reputation for being expensive. But there are some ways you can save money. Keep these pointers in mind, and you could get a flight at a fraction of its normal cost!
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by BlondieWrites on November 2, 2009
Travel has a reputation for being expensive. And it certainly can be if you feel it necessary to go first-class all the way. But it’s also possible to travel on a budget. You just have to be vigilant about finding the best prices on everything.
Here are some tips that will allow you to travel without spending a small fortune.
* Find the best deals on flights, hotels and car rentals. Sites like LastMinute.com and Travelocity.com are great for finding deals on these travel essentials. But it’s also a good idea to check with individual airlines and hotels, too. Sometimes they offer deals that you won’t find on such sites.
* Consider traveling by train. It’s less expensive than flying, and you’ll experience fewer security delays. The biggest disadvantage is that it will take you longer to get where you’re going.
* When traveling to a foreign country, do some research on exchange rates. Your best bet is usually to withdraw money from your bank account at an ATM, but different ATMs offer different exchange rates. You’ll also pay some fees to the bank that owns the ATM, and probably your bank as well. Try to find out how much these fees are in advance so you’ll be prepared.
* Consider a traveler’s cheque card. These cards are not linked to your bank account and will be replaced if they are lost or stolen. You’ll have to pay an issuance fee, but withdrawal fees are often lower than those charged by banks.
* Avoid eating in restaurants for every meal. Most hotels include a breakfast of some sort with a room rental, so you can take advantage of that in the morning. If you can get a room with a kitchen, you can cook your own lunch and dinner. Or you could take along some bread and sandwich meat and pack picnic lunches.
* Take vacations in the off-season. If you’re going to a theme park with a small child, for example, plan your trip for the spring or fall. If you check with the ticket office, you’ll often find that admission is discounted. And the school-aged children will be in school, so it will also be much less crowded.
* Consider vacation packages. Travel agencies offer packages that include travel, accommodations, car rental, admission to popular attractions and more for one low price. Some packages even come with gift certificates to restaurants and shops, so you can eat and get souvenirs at no additional charge.
If you’re on a tight budget, travel might seem out of reach. But if you are willing to spend some time finding the best deals, you might be surprised at what you can afford.
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by BlondieWrites on November 2, 2009
With gas prices much higher than they were just a few short years ago, many of us have stopped driving as much as we used to. Leaving your vehicle in the driveway is without a doubt the most effective way to avoid high gas prices. But we can’t stay home all the time.
Of course, not driving doesn’t necessarily mean staying at home. You can often ride a bike to your destination. If you live close to school, you could walk the kids there instead of driving them. And in cities, public transportation is cheaper and more economically friendly than driving a vehicle of your own.
When it comes to saving money on gas, the next best thing to avoiding driving is changing your driving habits. The way you drive plays a big role in your vehicle’s fuel consumption, and there are certain things you can do to get more miles out of each gallon.
* Drive at a steady speed. Speeding up and slowing down, even just a little bit, uses more gas than maintaining your speed. Use cruise control when possible, and avoid unnecessary fluctuations in speed when cruise is not an option.
* Avoid stopping at red lights when possible. That doesn’t mean you should run them, just that you should slow down well in advance. By the time you get to the light, it may have turned green, and you won’t have to stop. And accelerating when you’re already rolling uses less gas than accelerating from a dead stop.
* Keep the pedal off the metal. Speeding can be expensive, and not just because you could get a ticket. The optimal speed for fuel efficiency is around 55 MPH. If you drive faster than that, you’re using extra gas to maintain your speed. So stick close to the speed limit.
* Keep your car well maintained. A dirty air filter can seriously impact your fuel efficiency, as can underinflated tires. Perform maintenance as scheduled, and check tire pressure and fluids regularly. You can check your air filter by removing it and holding it up to the sun – if no light comes through, it needs to be changed.
* Avoid using the air conditioner at low speeds. If you’re on the freeway, however, running it may be more economical than rolling the windows down, because it doesn’t create wind resistance.
Not driving is the simplest way to save money on fuel. But when you need to drive, these simple changes to your driving habits can make a noticeable difference in your vehicle’s fuel consumption. An extra mile or two per gallon might not leave you with enough money to go on vacation right away, but over time the savings really add up.
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by BlondieWrites on October 27, 2009
by BlondieWrites on October 16, 2009
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by BlondieWrites on October 1, 2009
by BlondieWrites on October 1, 2009
Holidays are a common time for people to travel to visit family and friends. Unfortunately, some people don’t plan ahead and scramble around looking for money-saving last minute hotel deals. Luckily the last minute deals are out there, but it helps to know where to look.
Start by deciding what you want. Do you need one hotel room for multiple people or would you prefer more than one room situated together? Are you willing to drive a little to your final destination in order to save money or do you want a hotel as close as possible to the friends or family you’re visiting? Having these questions answered can help you when you start your search.
Know what you’re willing to spend on hotel accommodations. This information will help you determine if you’re getting a good deal or not.
Go online and search for hotel deals with websites like Priceline, Hotwire, Hotel.com or similar websites. You may also want to go directly to the hotel websites to see if they have any specials listed and to check for vacancies.
Create a spreadsheet or at least write down information as you gather it so you can compare prices. Include the name of the hotel, price, and dates the rooms are available. Don’t be pressured into taking the first deal that comes along; there are others out there if you take the time to look.
Expect to get the best deals for weekends. Staying from Thursday until Monday, or Friday until Tuesday will often help you save the most money.
Maybe you don’t plan to visit family during Thanksgiving. You may be looking for an escape from your regular schedule. During Thanksgiving, some locations have very few guests and can offer great deals for those willing to spend their holiday away from family.
Call and talk with the hotel personnel where you would like to stay. You may actually find they have unadvertised deals or can offer you additional discounts. It doesn’t hurt to ask for a lower rate; the worst they can do is tell you there are none available. You may be surprised when they tell you there are other savings available.
When you arrive, don’t forget to ask if there are any other discounts you may qualify for. Do you have an AAA membership or are you in the military? These discounts can be added to the rate you’ve already been given which could bring the price of the room down even further.
If you’re visiting family for Thanksgiving Day, why not take advantage of some of the money-saving last minute hotel deals available? Checking in on Thursday night will allow you to save money because you’re considered a weekend guest which normally has a reduced rate. Enjoy your stay!
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by BlondieWrites on September 25, 2009
You need to ASK if you want a discount. Here are ways to do it:
* Search the internet, look for great deals. There are various types of hotels that offer great discounts on the web for online customers. Be sure to check these out.
* Plan your trip during the off season months. These are the times when big discounts are given.
* Call the hotel of your choice. Ask them about offers and discounts that they can give. List all promotions.
* Certain hotels can give discounts to credit card holders of certain card establishments. Ask for the manager and ask him about it. The manager is the best person to ask, since if you can make negotiations, he has the authority to make negotiations with you.
* Ask if they give discounts to students or senior citizens.
* Simply ask through the phone how can you qualify for a discount. If at certain day of the week or at certain times of the year they give discounts, ask them about it and ask how much or how less can they give, then ask if you could get still a higher discount. Usually at off peak seasons, hotels will be willing to give in, just to fill the empty rooms.
* Ask for certain packages. Hotels usually offer rooms with free breakfast.
* Do name drop. If you know of someone who frequently stays them, mention his name. It can help. Tell them your friend referred you to them and ask for a discount. Don’t ever give up if they say no. A statement like “is that the best you can do?” can encourage a big discount.
* Often, people in the military get good hotel rates. Usually, discounts are offered to government employees.
* At off peak seasons, you could definitely ask for special rates. Then if they don’t budge after you have offered a discount, ask some extras, like breakfast.
* When negotiating, it is very important to write down all agreed discussions. Write too, the names of the persons that you have been talking to, the time as well as the day and date. Ask for a number that you can call before checking in to the hotel for confirmation.
* Upon arrival to the hotel, look around and ask for negotiations once more. For instance if you feel that the hotel is not fully booked, ask for a room with a better view than the one you are in, if you don’t agree with what you see.
Enjoy your stay!
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