Plan a Cheap Summer Vacation: Tips for Choosing a Private Vacation Rental
March 4th, 2010 | 
Author: Plan a Cheap Summer Vacation: Tips for Choosing a Private Vacation Rental
Are you in the process of planning your summer vacation? If you are on a budget, you should know that the best way to save money is to stay at an affordable hotel. Still, you don?t want a second rate vacation. If you have your heart set on staying at a private vacation rental, like a home, condo, or apartment, continue reading on for some moneysaving tips.
Use online travel websites designed for vacation rentals. Most of the larger and well-known travel websites focus on resorts and hotels. If you want to stay at a private vacation rental, perform a standard internet search to find travel websites that focus solely on these rentals. You will get a large list of rentals and you are likely to find better prices. To get started, perform a standard internet search with your destination, like South Carolina, and the phrase ?vacation rentals.?
Unlike hotels and resorts, private vacation rentals are rarely offered in the form of travel packages. For that reason, you will likely need to book your airline reservations and car rental separately. A car rental is recommended. Unlike many hotels and resorts, you are rarely provided with airport transfers. In addition, since some rentals are out of the way, a car rental will allow you to sightsee without paying a lot for public transportation. To find the best deals and prices, price compare airlines and car rental companies.
Look at rentals out of the way. For example, if you are traveling to Hawaii, beachfront rentals are popular. Yes, it is nice to wake up to a beautiful view of the ocean each morning, but it will get costly. Instead, look inland or a few minutes away from popular vacation destinations. You are likely to find cheaper rental rates.
Look for vacation rentals that reward you for extended stays. If on a budget, you may consider shortening your vacation by a day or two. This is a great way to save money, but some vacation rental owners reward you for staying longer. Many offer discounted weekly rates, as opposed to higher nightly rates. You may save as little as %20 a night, but you might save as much as %100 a night. You won?t know until you look.
Opt for rentals with fully functioning kitchens. Vacation rentals and their kitchens vary greatly. Some come stocked with dishes and cooking supplies. You just need to wash after each use, but others you are required to bring your own plates and utensils. Opt for a rental that makes it the easiest for you to prepare your own meals; you will save a considerable amount of money. Speaking of which, stock up at a local grocery store. The less you eat out, the more money you save. You should find lower prices at actual grocery stores, as opposed to convenience stores, and grocery stores located further away from popular attractions. You may have to drive an extra 10 miles, but you may find average prices to be %1 or more less.
Consider making it a double date. One of the reasons why you are likely opting for a private vacation rental is for the privacy. You don?t want to cross paths with strangers in a hotel room or share a pool. That is okay, but it may save you money. Instead of strangers, opt for family members or close friends. See if anyone you know is looking to take a cheap summer vacation too. You could share the cost of a vacation rental. Most are large enough that you can do so.
As a recap, it is usually cheaper to vacation at a hotel or resort than to book a stay at a private vacation rental. However, by splitting the cost with another family you know, price comparing, and looking for rentals out of the way, you can lower their cost. Just because the economy is in bad shape and just because you may have limited financial resources, it does not mean you can?t have the vacation of your dreams. In fact, you can!
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Plan a Cheap Summer Vacation at an Amusement Park with These Tips
Plan a Cheap Summer Vacation at an Amusement Park with These Tips
When most Americans think of amusement parks, Disney is often the first thing that comes to mind. Planning a trip to Disneyland is nice, but it can be very costly, especially if you must travel far. Luckily, most states have at least two or three large amusement parks. Six Flags is just one of the few that comes to mind. Although it won?t take you an entire week to explore the park, you could easily spend a day or two. If you are on a strict budget, this may be the perfect vacation.
The key to planning an amusement park vacation on a budget is to stay close to home. As previously stated, most states have a couple large parks to choose from. On average, you could expect to drive three to five hours. That may seem like a lot of time on the road, but leave early or the night before. An amusement park a few hours away is likely just as good as one a plane ride away. Luckily, it is cheaper for most to drive. This automatically means you save money.
Look for discounted admission tickets. Six Flags is just one of the well-known amusement parks in the United States that offers discount tickets. These tickets are usually available on their website or at third-party locations, such as nearby grocery stores. Discounts vary greatly, but you may find deals that come with a set dollar amount off each ticket, buy one get one free, or buy one get one half off. Either way, you save money. Once you choose an amusement park to spend a day or two at, visit their online website. This website can be found with a standard internet search. Look for online specials or a list of local stores where discounted tickets are available.
If your amusement park trip is a two-day trip, consider waiting until the afternoon one day. Many amusement parks offer discounted tickets the later in the day you arrive. For example, it may be cheaper to arrive at the park at 3 in the afternoon. Yes, you miss a good percentage of the day, but not if the park is open until 9 or 10 at night! This approach is best for two-day trips. You have another full day to enjoy the fun.
Limit the number of games you play. Games at amusements parks are neat. It is fun to win a prize. Unfortunately, those prizes aren?t guaranteed. You can pay %2 or %3 to shoot at a target and walk away with nothing. Luckily, most amusement parks have gift shops. You can buy a souvenir, many of which are the same prizes available with games, for a more affordable price. Of course, playing games is part of the fun. You don?t have to completely forego them, just limit the number played.
If you can, bring your own snacks, drinks, and lunch. Many amusement parks allow guests to bring snacks, drinks, and food onto their property. This is because most have picnic tables and barbeque pits. Unfortunately, you may not want to carry a cooler or backpack around all day. Bring a few snacks. For meals, opt for affordable options. Amusement parks are home to a collection of restaurants, including sit-down restaurants. They are nice, but usually very costly. Opt for a quick snack or fast food meal. Not only should it be cheaper, but you have more time to explore the park.
Avoid rides and attractions that cost extra. Most of the rides at amusement parks are included in the cost of your admission, but there are some exceptions. For example, bungee jumping usually costs extra. Unless you have your heart set on bunging jumping, avoid it. Amusement parks, like Six Flags, are filled with hundreds of rides and attractions. You should have no problem filling your entire day with these free rides.
Compare the cost of onsite hotels or consider camping. It is not uncommon for amusement parks to have onsite hotels and campgrounds. Camping should be cheaper. Buy a cheap tent or borrow from someone you know. As for hotels, compare prices, but look for discounts. The cost of your stay may include admission to the park.
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How to Save Money on Food During Your Summer Vacation
How to Save Money on Food During Your Summer Vacation
Are you gearing up for your summer vacation? If you are like most Americans, you may be vacationing on a budget. If you already made most of your travel plans, like if you booked your airline reservations and a hotel room, it will be difficult to cut too many expenses. Luckily, you still can with food. With careful planning and thinking outside of the box, you could reduce the cost of your summer vacation by %100 or %200 just by watching what you eat!
Always make use of free or discounted food. If staying at a hotel or resort, see what food extras are provided to guests. Special discounts may be offered just for guests for dinner. You may get a free cold breakfast, and so forth. Do not pass up too many of these special offers. They are a very easy and convenient way to save money; after all, you never leave the hotel property!
Avoid restaurants located right in the middle of popular vacation destinations. Are you traveling to Virginia Beach? Restaurants located along the coastline are costly to eat at. Use the internet to a little bit of research ahead of time or ask your hotel clerk. Aim for five or ten miles away. You are likely to find smaller crowds and better prices.
Look for moneysaving coupons. Many restaurants have coupons available. There are three good ways to find these coupons. First, use the internet to research nearby restaurants. Many travel websites will give you a large list in a matter of seconds. Visit their websites. Not only can you get an idea of the food available and their prices, but see if printable coupons are listed or review the list of daily specials. Many areas have Entertainment Books. These are books filled with coupons. They cost around %25 each, but are filled with hundreds of dollars worth of discounts. Visit the book website and view a sample of the coupons. It may be a wise investment. Finally, look in the hotel lobby. Many travel brochures and fliers have coupons attached.
Mix it up between fast food establishments, casual restaurants, and fancy sit down restaurants. If you are planning a romantic getaway with your spouse, you want to have the best. However, if you are on a budget, you need to reduce your expenses. To prevent boredom and get the best of both worlds, mix it up each night and try something different.
Eat in. Unless you stay at a vacation rental or book a suite, you will be lucky to get a refrigerator, let alone a working kitchen. This may make eating in seem impossible, but it isn?t. Stop at a nearby grocery store. Most have deli and carryout sections. Order a cold turkey sub, a small roasted chicken, and so forth. Bring the meal back to your hotel room. While at the grocery store, also buy snacks and drinks.
Buy drinks and snacks from grocery stores. At first glance, it will seem as if your resort community is only filled with convenience stores and gift shops. Ask your hotel clerk. He or she should know of a local grocery store. The prices will be lower. Stock up on dry food, snacks, and drinks. If you do not have a refrigerator in your room, buy a small foam cooler and keep it filled with ice. This may seem like a big inconvenience, but snacks and drinks can cost %1 or more less traditional grocery stores.
Outlined above was just a few of the many ways that you can reduce the cost of food on your upcoming summer vacation. With these tips, you can still have vacation of your dreams, only it will just cost less!
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Cheap Summer Vacations: Do Travel Packages Save You Money?
Cheap Summer Vacations: Do Travel Packages Save You Money?
If you are like many other Americans, the poor state of the economy may leave you wondering about your summer vacation. Should you still travel? Can you afford it? Many Americans are completely foregoing their summer vacations this year, but you don?t have to. There are many ways to save money and reduce travel costs. One of those ways is with summer vacation travel packages.
When it comes to travel packages, one of the first questions new deal seekers ask is ?do they really save you money?? Unfortunately, the answer might not be what you wanted to hear. Honestly, it all depends. You should consider many factors. Continue reading on for tips on how you can tell if a summer vacation travel package will save you money or end up costing you more.
What types of travel arrangements are needed? This is an important question. Luckily, travel packages can be customized. Many online travel websites allow you to book packages for your airline tickets, hotel, and car rental. On the other hand, you can get a hotel and a car rental, or just a plane ticket and a car rental, and so forth. The key to choosing a cheap travel package is only buying what you need. Can you stay with friends and family nearby? If so, do not waste money on a hotel. Find a package that only includes your airline tickets and a car rental. Paying for things you don?t need is nothing more than a waste of money.
Are you traveling with children? This is another important question to ask yourself. Did you know that hotels and airlines occasionally offer discounts for small children? Children under the age of two should not need their own seat on a flight. Let them sit on your lap and save hundreds of dollars. If you want to get your young child his or her own seat, but do not want to pay full price, contact the airline and try to arrange a discount. If these discounts are offered, they are usually offered directly through the airlines, not on travel websites. At the very least, look for travel packages that specifically ask about children and their ages.
Is it cheaper to book your reservations independently? This question is also important, but it isn?t as easy to get an answer. Online travel websites and travel packages are designed for convenience. You get many travel and booking options all within a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, you do not always get the best deal. When requesting a free quote on an online travel website, they should provide you with the name of the airline, hotel, or car rental company. Visit each of these company websites and request another quote for the same travel dates. Tally up their costs and compare the two. Only buy a summer vacation travel package if you are getting a discount. It shouldn?t cost more.
In short, online travel websites and the summer vacation travel packages they offer are nice. However, there are no guarantees you will save money. Luckily, you can tell by dissecting your travel package and comparing the cost. Yes, they are convenient to buy, but don?t buy a travel package unless you save money. Your goal is to plan a cheap summer vacation, make sure you get one.
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5 Tips for Setting a Summer Vacation Budget
5 Tips for Setting a Summer Vacation Budget
If you take an annual summer vacation, the poor state of the economy may leave you wondering. Should you take a vacation? Should you stay closer to home? Should you cut expenses? What expenses should you cut and how? If these are questions you have, please continue reading on for 5 tips on setting a summer vacation budget. A budget can help you plan a great summer vacation, even with limited financial resources.
1 ? Decide on a Budget Total First
How much money do you have to spend on a summer vacation? Have a general idea ahead of time. It will be easier to plan your summer vacation on a budget when you know how much you are able to spend. For example, do you have %2,000 stashed away in your savings account? Do you want to use all of that %2,000 or just part of it? Having a set total in mind will make it easier to cut corners and expenses as you go along.
2 ? Start Planning the Vacation of your Dreams
Do you live in New York and have you been dreaming of the beautiful beaches of South Florida? If so, plan that trip. Even if you are vacationing on a budget, you can and should still have the vacation of your dreams. If it is too expensive, focus on cutting corners. For example, opt for dinner two nights at a casual dining restaurant or a fast food establishment instead of a fancy five star restaurant. Yes, it is important to save money, but don?t settle for a second rate vacation. Honestly, there is no point in vacationing at all if you won?t have a good time.
3 ? Estimate the Cost of Everything
When setting a budget, you need to know how much money you have available to spend, which you determined above, and how much you can expect to pay. It is easy to calculate the cost of travel itself. Request a free airline quote or calculate the miles to your destination and the cost of gas. Overnight accommodations are also easy. You can request a free quote ahead of time to know how much a stay at a motel, hotel, resort, or private rental costs. The problem comes with food and activities. Estimate to the best of your ability.
4 ? Overestimate
When estimating the cost of your summer vacation, especially activities, attractions, and food, it is best to overestimate. If you underestimate the cost of travel and related expenses, you may find yourself skimping on your last meals to prevent going over your budget. If you overestimate, the worst that will happen is that you have money left over. At a casual dining restaurant, you could easily expect to pay %8 for a one-person meal. That may be cutting it close, so overestimate up to %10. Remember, the worst that will happen is that you will end up with extra money in your pocket. That is much better than not having enough.
5 ? Work on Reducing Expenses
You should now have a list of your summer vacation costs. Your lists should include the cost of air travel, overnight stays, food, activities, attractions, and souvenirs. Total those costs and compare to the money you have available to spend. If your dream vacation will cost too much, work on cutting corners. Shorten your trip by a day or two, opt for cheaper restaurants, depart for your vacation on Wednesday instead of Friday to lower the cost of airfare, price compare to find the cheap hotels, and so forth. There are many ways to cut corners and expenses. These were just a few examples.
In short, you don?t have to be rich to have the summer vacation of your dreams. With careful planning, a budget, and a detailed list of estimated expenses, you can have the perfect vacation even with limited financial resources.
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Plan a Cheap Family Vacation at an Amusement Park
Plan a Cheap Family Vacation at an Amusement Park
Do you want to plan a fun family vacation, but are you operating with limited financial resources? If so, an amusement park may be the answer to your problems. Right now, you are likely thinking there is no way you can afford a trip to Disneyland. Yes, Disneyland is one of the world?s most well-known amusement parks, but it is not your only option. There is Six Flags, Busch Gardens, and many locally owned and operated parks. Luckily, they are easier to travel to and much cheaper.
Your goal is to save money on your family?s vacation and an amusement park will help you save money. With that said, you still want to have a good trip. After all, unhappy children are the quickset way to spoil a family vacation. So, how can you ensure your family?s cheap vacation at an amusement park is a success?
Opt for an amusement park you have never visited before. Many states have at least two or three good amusement parks to choose from. If your family needs to drive an additional four hours to get to a new park, do it. It will be a new experience for your children. Leave at night or early in the morning. The long car ride won?t be a huge problem for your children if you have lots of fun activities and if they can sleep.
Consider making it a two or three day trip. One of the problems many parents run into is feeling like they are shortchanging their children. If your teenager is used to a weeklong beach vacation, a daytrip to the amusement park may not be what she had in mind. Really turn it into a vacation by staying one or two nights. Luckily, most amusement parks, like Six Flags and Busch Gardens, are large. Take your time and you could easily spend two or three days exploring the entire park.
As for your staying options, you usually have two. There are usually hotels and campgrounds located near amusement parks, if not right onsite. Camping will be your cheapest options. If you can stay onsite, see if special deals are available for guests. You may get free park admission. If you do have some money to spend and are more worried about the happiness of your children, ask for their input. Would they rather stay at a hotel or camp? Yes, you want to save money, but, if you have money to spend, ensure your children are happy.
Plan your amusement park vacation during the weekday. If you are concerned about missing too much work, schedule your vacation on a Sunday and Monday, so that you miss only one day of work. Weekdays are best. Sometimes, you will find lower admission fees. Best of all, the parks are less busy. You and your family will have more fun, as you will spend less time waiting in line.
Look for discounted tickets. Many times, you save money by buying your tickets early. Many grocery store sell discounted tickets. Discounts are also usually offered on the websites of these parks. In addition to discounted prices, you may find buy one get one free deals, free admission for young children, and so forth. Saving money on admission prices for your family?s amusement park vacation is nice. It gives you more money to spend on souvenirs or games.
Speaking of games, they cost money, but are loads of fun. A good approach is to set aside a specific dollar amount, like %10 for each child. Let them know once the money is gone, it is gone. Since games are scattered throughout amusement parks, let your child signal when they want to stop. Yes, they only have a small amount of money to spend playing games, but at least they get to handpick those games. You can also give them the alternative to take their game money and buy something at a gift shop.
In conclusion, you don?t have to forego your family?s summer vacation this year, even if you are on a budget. An amusement park is filled with fun. There are many ways that you can save money, while still providing your children with a great time.
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Planning a Cheap Summer Vacation: Your Booking Options Reviewed
Planning a Cheap Summer Vacation: Your Booking Options Reviewed
Are you gearing up to plan your summer vacation? If you are on a budget, you may wonder how you should book your vacation. Which approach gets you the best deal? Continue reading on to find out.
When it comes to planning a summer vacation, you usually have three booking options. They include using a local travel agent, an online travel website, or making your reservations independently? Which option saves you the most money?
As for local travel agents, it usually depends on who you know. If you personally know a travel agent, they may be willing to take the extra step to help you get a better deal. Otherwise, travel agents are designed more for convenience. You don?t want to spend hours booking a vacation, so they do the work for you. You tell them where you want to go, when, and how much money you have to spend. They will give you an ideal arrangement and help you make the plans.
Although you will find a variance, some travel agents like to deal with or have special arrangements with hotels, airlines, and car rental companies. This may be a business arrangement or a personal preference based on previous experiences. Either way, you don?t always get the best deal with local travel agents. If you are concerned more about saving time and getting the best quality vacation, doing business with a local travel agent is ideal. On the other hand, if you want to save the most money, continue reading on for your additional options.
As for online travel websites, there are many to choose from. Well-known and popular websites include Priceline.com, Orbtiz.com, and Travelocity.com. Online travel websites are nice because they save consumers time. When comparing the cost of airfare, you can compare the rates of five different airlines in less than 2 minutes. If you book your vacation in the form of a travel package, you save time by planning most of your trip with one simple purchase. Saving time is nice, but remember your goal is to save money.
Although you will find a variance, online travel websites usually offer the best deals for travel packages. Do you need to book a stay at a hotel, need a car rental, and airline tickets? You are likely to find the best deals on these travel websites. If you only need to make one or two arrangements or can?t find an ideal summer vacation package, it may best to avoid them.
As for making each of your travel plans separately and independently, it may seem like a big inconvenience. Luckily, it is easier to find the best deals. Many airlines offer special one-way trips to popular vacation destinations. Hotels occasionally offer special deals, like a free or discounted nights stay with the purchase of five other nights, and so forth. The best deals are advertised right on their websites. A standard internet search can help you find these websites. It does take more time, but you may be surprised with what you find.
For most travelers, it is a tossup between online travel websites and independent reservations. Although online travel websites usually offer the best deals for vacation packages, it is easy to check. You should get the name of the airline, hotel, and car rental company. Visit their websites and request another quote. Add the three and compare to your quoted travel package costs. Do you save money? You should. If not, it would be better to make your travel plans independently.
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Plan a Cheap Summer Beach Vacation with These Easy Steps
Plan a Cheap Summer Beach Vacation with These Easy Steps
For most, the ideal summer vacation is a beach vacation. Unfortunately, with the current state of the economy, many Americans are giving up their annual summer vacations. Don?t let your dream of a beach vacation wash away. It doesn?t have to. You can still have the vacation of your dreams; you just need to cut corners and expenses. Continue reading on to find out how!
Travel to a local beach. Many communities have local parks that can sometimes double as a beach. They often haul in sand and make use of natural bodies of water or manmade ones. Yes, you may not be swimming in the ocean, but at least you have the sand at your feet. If you live in the middle of the United States, this might be your best option. You will not need to fly to the east or west coast. Instead, hop in your car and drive. To really make it a vacation, book a night or two at a nearby hotel.
Compare the cost of hotels. Whether you opt for a small beach on a lake five hours away from home or if you fly across the country or even to the Caribbean, you will need a place to stay. An ideal beach vacation involves staying at a hotel with a beach view. After all, who wouldn?t want to wake up in the morning, walk to the balcony, and see a breathtaking view of the water? Unfortunately, you could easily pay an extra %25 or %50 just to do so. Compare the cost of all hotels, including those located inland. Inland hotels are usually cheaper, but you may get lucky and find a beachfront hotel offering an amazing deal.
Price compare vacation rentals. These may include homes, condos, and apartments. Most are rented by the night, but some may have weekly stay requirements. These types of arrangements are nice if you can find an affordable rental, have a large family, or are taking an extended summer vacation. Eating out gets costly. It is a lot cheaper to make your own food. A private rental gives you a kitchen and everything you need to do so. If you can?t find a cheap vacation rental, consider turning your summer vacation into a double date with another family you know. You can split the cost of a rental.
Price compare all-inclusive resorts. If traveling to a popular vacation destination, like the Caribbean, you may find all-inclusive resorts or travel packages. Most times, the cost of your airfare, room, food, drinks, snacks, tips, and entertainment is included. You will pay more upfront, but you usually get a better value for your money in the end. In fact, some tourists even save money!
If you are driving to your beach destination, pack a lot of food, drinks, and snacks. This will not only save you money on the road, but at your destination too. Popular vacation destinations have traditional grocery stores, but you are likely to find their costs higher than at home. Pack one or two coolers with food, open as little as possible, and refill with ice along the way. If your hotel or vacation rental has a refrigerator, transfer the items when you arrive or else keep on adding ice to the cooler. Yes, this may seem like a big inconvenience, but remember food, snacks, and drinks, are more expensive at popular vacation destinations.
If you are flying to your beach destination or don?t want to go through the hassle of keeping a cooler cooled, you need to proceed with caution. The cost of food, snacks, and drinks can easily add up. When possible, opt for plastic bottles, as opposed to fountain drinks or cans. You can reseal and continue using, preventing waste. If on a budget, mix it up between nice restaurants and fast food establishments. If your hotel offers a free or discounted breakfast to guests, make use of it.
When at a popular beach destination, like Virginia Beach, buying souvenirs can be tricky. Don?t buy them right away. A good approach is to spend your days browsing and make the purchases later. Many tourists who jump the gun and pay %6 for a souvenir shot glass are later surprised to see if for sale for %3 just one block away.
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Planning a Cheap Summer Vacation: Driving Tips
Are you ready to start planning your summer vacation? If your vacation destination is within a reasonable distance to your home, you may consider driving. If so, continue reading on a for few moneysaving tips. With the poor economy and most Americans on a budget, don?t pay more for your summer vacation than you need to!
So, how can you reduce the cost of driving when on a budgeted summer vacation?
First, you need to decide whether you want to drive your own car or rent one. This will be a tough decision. You may feel more comfortable with your own vehicle. It will be cheaper. You just pay for gas. However, is your car brand new? How many miles will you be adding and how much will it depreciate in value? What about wear and tear? Is it worth it? For most, it is a personal decision. Just be sure to keep the costs in mind, especially if you are on a strict budget.
Become an AAA member, also known as Triple A. This membership has many benefits. The greatest is roadside assistance. What if your car breaks down? Will you be left stranded in an unknown place? Not if you have a good membership. Yes, you could easily pay %100, but remember that you are covered for at least one year. Not only do you get roadside assistance, but many hotels, restaurants, and car rental companies have discounted rates for AAA members.
Get your car serviced beforehand. This may seem like an added expense, but it will be worth it if driving an older car. Make sure your vehicle will make the trip in one piece. If you are familiar with cars or know someone who is, opt for this instead. It will be cheaper. Check the pressure in the tires, change your oil, and so forth. A well serviced and functioning car makes it easier and cheaper to drive to your summer vacation destination.
Don?t stop at the first gas station you see. Gas prices vary greatly. They are usually more expensive right by highways and interstates. You could easily save .10 cents a gallon by driving a few minutes down the street. Unless you are in a hurry or concerned for your safety, do not opt for the first gas station you see. In fact, if you stop for dinner, look at the gas stations along the way and compare prices. When heading pack to the interstate or highway, stop at the station with the cheapest prices.
Pack your own snacks and drinks from home. On extended road trips, many travelers opt for dinner at a rest stop. Yes, this is convenient, but very costly. Your best bet is to bring food from home. Pack a cooler filled with ice, drinks, sandwich meat, and condiments. Stop at the rest stop areas, but only use their picnic tables. You may be surprised how much money this saves! At the very least, bring your own snacks and drinks. These too are expensive at convenience store, especially near interstates.
Have a map, navigation system, or someone you can call for directions back home. Getting lost is common when on a summer vacation. You may want to drive around to find the cheapest gas or take a shortcut to avoid a traffic jam. That is okay, but not if you get lost. You may put your safety at risk and then there are the added travel costs. It is best to stay on your preset path, but only venture off if you have a way to avoid getting lost.
In short, there are many ways to reduce the cost of driving to your summer vacation destination. Luckily, these steps are easy to implement. Better yet, driving is usually the cheaper alternative for most. Airlines have been suffering financial losses for years. They are trying to avoid additional losses by charging higher rates and tacking on additional fees. Save your money this summer. If you can drive to your vacation destination, do it!
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Plan a Cheap Summer Vacation and Lower the Cost of Airline Baggage
Plan a Cheap Summer Vacation and Lower the Cost of Airline Baggage
Did you just finish making your summer vacation travel plans? If so, your trip dates will soon arrive. If you are flying to your destination, you may start to pack soon. If you haven?t already heard, many airlines have started charging extra baggage fees. Many airlines now charge you a set fee, like %25 one way, for a second bag of checked luggage. Unfortunately, some are also charging for the first. Although this added expense is well-documented by airlines, it may throw your vacation budget out of whack.
So, how can you avoid or limit the cost of the extra fees airlines charge for your luggage?
First, do you need a suitcase? Do you have one? If not, keep costs in mind. How much do you travel? If you only take one vacation a year, you don?t need to invest %100 or more in one suitcase. Wal-Mart and Target have cheap suitcases for an average of %50 or less. If you need suitcases for each member of your family, look at the packaged deals. The suitcases are often different sizes, but a better value for the money.
Check the weather forecast before your trip. It is always good to be prepared for the weather, but don?t go overboard. If traveling to Hawaii, you won?t need a winter coat, hat, and mittens. You may want to bring a sweater and a raincoat, but don?t fill your suitcase with unneeded clothes and supplies. Check the weather forecast first. You may be surprised how much room you save in your suitcase by doing so.
Don?t pack what you don?t need. Many hotels no longer offer small bottles of shampoo and soap. If you do get some, it is usually less than before. This is a cost cutting measure. For that reason, bring health and beauty products from home. It will be cheaper than buying at a nearby convenience store or hotel lobby. Many discount and department stores have small travel size packages available for soaps, toothpaste, shampoo, and so forth. With the exception of toothpaste, save your money. You can also buy cheap packages of empty bottles, often marketed as travel cases. They cost no more than %2 for a large set. Take the empty bottles and fill with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion.
Invest in space saving travel bags. Many of these bags are advertised on television, so consumers think of them as nothing more than an infomercial product, but they do work. Travel bags don?t use a vacuum cleaner. Instead, you just fill, seal, and lean on. The key to using these bags is to not just fold your clothes into one pile. You will get a brick that isn?t much smaller in size. Fold that pile, but then fill the empty spaces in the bag. By properly using space saving travel bags, you can fit many clothes into one suitcase.
As previously stated, many airlines are now charging for the first bag of checked luggage. If you want to avoid these fees and are taking a two or three day rip, make use of your carryon bag. By using space saving travel bags, you may be able to fit all of your clothes into your carryon. Another great alternative is to limit the number of clothes you bring and wash your clothes at the hotel. Paying %5 to do a couple loads of laundry is still cheaper than paying an extra %15 each way.
If you are taking a vacation with your romantic partner or family, consider condensing luggage. Does your teenager have a half empty suitcase? You are wasting money if you pay %30 roundtrip for that suitcase. Share them instead. You may eliminate one or two suitcases by sharing, saving you money. This step is best with family. You never know what an acquaintance may try to sneak in their suitcase; don?t be held liable for someone else?s lapse in judgment.
Finally, be careful with souvenirs. They are nice, but costly and take up extra space. What if you don?t have enough room? You may need to buy an extra bag. Not only do you end up paying for the souvenir and emergency suitcase, but your airline may charge you an additional baggage fee. Your %5 shot glass may easily cost as much as %10 now. Use space saving travel bags to create extra space for souvenirs, limit your purchases, and only purchase those small in size.
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