Tips for Vacationing on a Budget
Looking for some vacation money saving ideas? Theres nothing wrong with vacationing on a budget. Hey, we all cant travel like the rich and famous.
You save all year to get the money for a well earned vacation. You want to stretch your vacation budget but still enjoy yourself. Sounds like a good plan. To help you out Ive put together some vacation money saving ideas that I hope you will find useful.
If you have a particular destination in mind it pays to plan ahead. Research the attractions and facilities. Find out what specials or discounts they may have going. Look for other things to do or see nearby so that you can make good use of your time and cut down on the running from place to place.
Plan your vacation for the off season. You can usually get better deals on lots of things like plane tickets, hotels, car rentals, cruises and lots of other things.
If you have friends or relatives nearby your destination consider asking them if you can stay with them. Dont be a freeloader though. Even though you help pay for the groceries and other expenses your host incurs, its still a good vacation money saving idea.
If you are flying try to plan your trip for when tickets are traditionally cheapest. That would be Feb thru May and September thru 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.
Meals can be expensive at restaurants so you can save some money by packing food for the road.
When eating out try to avoid the places that obviously cater to tourists. 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.
Hotels are typically more expensive the closer you get to a major attraction. With a little planning you can find a good balance between price and distance.
When picking hotels dont just go by the ratings. Compare the amenities they offer. Often you will find that you really dont need everything offered by that 4 star hotel and you can do very nicely at the 3 starwith a better price!
Consider buying or renting an RV. You travel at your own pace. Cooking and bathrooms are always close by. You can meet a lot of other friendly RVers who will usually be glad to point out the best places to go.
When traveling by car you can save fuel by renting a smaller fuel efficient model. Packing light, reducing your speed and maintaining proper tire air pressure will also cut the gas costs.
Make sure that your car is ready for the trip. Good tires, oil change, tune-up and all that good stuff. Its a heck of a lot cheaper and more convenient to deal with these things before you go rather than on the road somewhere.
Check out the local transportation system of buses, trains or trolleys. These can be considerably cheaper than using taxis.
Camping is a great vacation money saving idea. There are lots of campgrounds around. They are cheap and you may end up with an experience that outshines anything you can get a fancy hotel.
Plan activities that dont require a lot of money. Hiking, and swimming are good ones. Local Museums and historical sites are often very reasonably priced as well as being quite educational and fun. The big theme parks have their appeal but you can really go through the cash at those places.
Plan picnics. These can be excellent vacation money saving opportunities as well as a chance to really relax and enjoy the local area.
Avoid buying souvenirs. Its easy to get caught up and blow a bundle on these overpriced goodies. 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.
I hope that you find some of these vacation money saving ideas helpful. Make a plan and stick to it. Theres no reason why you cant have a great vacation without emptying the bank account.
Peter Shannon is a writer and author of the popular http://www.1001VacationIdeas.com a Web site born out of his passion. Perhaps you have a passion or hobby that you would like to write about. Discover how to turn it into a profitable Web site like Peter has. Visit http://www.1001VacationIdeas.com to learn more.
Vacation Package vs. Inclusive Package Resort Vacations
The typical traveler begins the budgeting process by looking at basic travel goals in light of available time and money vs. r...
Vacation Destinations
Many times, when we plan a vacation, we know where we want to go. But, perhaps you dont have a specific place in mind and ar...
Vacational Rental Property Guide
Once you make up your mind to on a vacation, the place to go, accommodation, your budget for these and other outlays are the ...
Adventure Travel Vacation
If you are a rookie to the world of adventure travel vacation, then you will need to learn how to plan for adventure travel! ...
Looking For Maui Rental Property?
Maui is one of the islands found in Hawaii. It is known as
the second largest island in Hawaii and it is also called
Valley I...
Clean Vacationing
Admit it. When the sun is out and you are at your favorite r campsite or cottage on the lake the last thing you want to do r ...
Tips for a Moving Budget
Money really makes the world go round and moving and changing homes is expensive business. Even if you are moving on transfer...
Breckenridge Condo Rentals - The Right Choice For Your Colorado Getaway
Breckenridge condo rentals are an excellent way to stay in one of Colorados most popular destinations.When it comes to lodgin...
Vacation in Belize
The range of vacations available in Belize is incredibly broad with those seeking an adventure holiday as well catered for as...
Your European Vacation - A Guide To Choosing European Vacation Packages
What do you look for in a European vacation? The romance of a Paris vacation, the buzz of some time in London, England or the...
Are Your Family Vacations Fun and Relaxing?
How many of you have seen the classic Chevy Chase movie, National Lampoons Vacations?If you havent then you should, but if yo...
Strategies For Prioritizing "Product Test Procedures" Against Deadlines
IntroductionThe scenario is as follows: You are the test manager. You made a plan and a budget for testing. Your plans were, ...
5 Tips To Spend The Most Luxurious Caribbean Vacation You Ever Dreamed Of!
Tip #1 : Buy a beach front Caribbean villa!
Buying Caribbean beach front property can range from a bargain to outrageous. T...
Tucson, Arizona Vacation Rentals
Tucson, Arizona Vacation Rentals give the vacationer a feeling of a home away from home. Families prefer renting vacation ho...
Inexpensive All-Inclusive Vacations
An all-inclusive vacation may be the best option for people and families on a vacation budget. The budget will determine the ...
A Budget Adventure Vacation through the Blue Ridge Parkway
If you are looking for a budget adventure vacation in one of the most beautiful places on our planet, look no further. This w...
How to Enjoy Luxury for Less on Your Best Ever Vacation
Have you ever dreamt of spending the vacation of your dreams in some exotic location? Just imagine how you can enjoy the att...
Federal Trade Commission Budget FY 2007
The Federal Trade Commission has requested some 223 Million Dollars in their FY 2007 budget despite their piss poor previous ...
Home Equity Loan: Use Your Equity Smartly with a Second Mortgage or Cash Out Mortgage Refinancing
If you are considering using the equity in your home for any reason, either with a second mortgage or cash back refinancing, ...
Save Your Energy - Use Online Printing
A lot of printing companies already offer online printing services. You just need to upload your project on their website, ta...