Cutting Corners
Traveling Light
A simple vacation getaway can turn in to a big expense quickly when you take in to consideration all the actual costs entailed in traveling. Costs like dining, gas, hotel, airline and entertainment are the most exorbitant so I am brining you the best money saving tactics.
Food: Continental breakfasts; pack a picnic lunch; order take out instead of dining in; cook for yourself using toaster ovens, microwave or crock pot; pack an empty water bottle when flying and fill on board with “plane” water (sorry couldn’t resist) or add Kool-Aid; when dining out, split meals, order of the children’s or dollar menu or just order an appetizer and dessert.
Gas-Walk, take a cab, subway, trolley, bus or rent a bike or scooter; check on hotel provided transportation. When we visited Grand Cayman several years ago, we ask a local waiter how the locals got around if they don’t drive to work. He told us they took the bus and how and when to catch it. Compared to taxi and van services it was a whole lot less expensive and we got to see the domestic side of the island.
Entertainment: For young children stop off at large malls that may have indoor play areas or arcades, playgrounds, restaurants with playlands; make up a scavenger hunt or play I Spy. Do a little research before leaving to find out the least expensive days or promotions being offered at local attractions. Use resources prior to leaving such as www.halfoffdeals.com by purchasing gift certificates for venues at 50% less. Museum memberships usually include nationwide discounts. Stay in for a movie night using a portable DVD player or hotel cable or catch an afternoon matinee. Game nights are always a fun family time!
Flights: Read the fine print about your rewards programs, many programs offer you more points for small inconveniences - for example, Continental gives its frequent flyers bonus miles just for sitting in couch in the middle seat! Book as close to Wednesday 1 am as possible for best rates. Consider booking separately for multi-stop flights. According to Disney Family Travel the best way to save is by comparing between airlines directly, travel agencies, online airline portals such as naming your own price. They also suggest a method a friend of mine uses which is booking last minute. Of course, with this method you must be very flexible.
Hotels: According to fodors.com the best ways to save on hotel rooms are being flexible on dates, use frequent flier miles, check hotel websites for deals, don’t be afraid to haggle, look for weekend deals at business hotels and try to avoid hidden costs such as parking, internet, safe deposit boxes, fitness, etc. We use Wyndham Rewards and almost always receive a free hotel stay every trip we take. I recently noticed a Twitter announcement on 9/9/09 from CheapTweet that was posted by a Days Inn in Austin that was offering 9 people $9.99 any room as long as they stayed within 9 days. Don’t’ forget my Best Days of Week to Shop article, calling to book your hotel on a Sunday and speaking with the manager on duty will save you big.
Budgets for travel can be easily overspent when we fail to consider all the costs. Your best money saving strategy can be to simply plan and account for all costs, big, small, hidden and incidental.
A simple vacation getaway can turn in to a big expense quickly when you take in to consideration all the actual costs entailed in traveling. Costs like dining, gas, hotel, airline and entertainment are the most exorbitant so I am brining you the best money saving tactics.
Food: Continental breakfasts; pack a picnic lunch; order take out instead of dining in; cook for yourself using toaster ovens, microwave or crock pot; pack an empty water bottle when flying and fill on board with “plane” water (sorry couldn’t resist) or add Kool-Aid; when dining out, split meals, order of the children’s or dollar menu or just order an appetizer and dessert.
Gas-Walk, take a cab, subway, trolley, bus or rent a bike or scooter; check on hotel provided transportation. When we visited Grand Cayman several years ago, we ask a local waiter how the locals got around if they don’t drive to work. He told us they took the bus and how and when to catch it. Compared to taxi and van services it was a whole lot less expensive and we got to see the domestic side of the island.
Entertainment: For young children stop off at large malls that may have indoor play areas or arcades, playgrounds, restaurants with playlands; make up a scavenger hunt or play I Spy. Do a little research before leaving to find out the least expensive days or promotions being offered at local attractions. Use resources prior to leaving such as www.halfoffdeals.com by purchasing gift certificates for venues at 50% less. Museum memberships usually include nationwide discounts. Stay in for a movie night using a portable DVD player or hotel cable or catch an afternoon matinee. Game nights are always a fun family time!
Flights: Read the fine print about your rewards programs, many programs offer you more points for small inconveniences - for example, Continental gives its frequent flyers bonus miles just for sitting in couch in the middle seat! Book as close to Wednesday 1 am as possible for best rates. Consider booking separately for multi-stop flights. According to Disney Family Travel the best way to save is by comparing between airlines directly, travel agencies, online airline portals such as naming your own price. They also suggest a method a friend of mine uses which is booking last minute. Of course, with this method you must be very flexible.
Hotels: According to fodors.com the best ways to save on hotel rooms are being flexible on dates, use frequent flier miles, check hotel websites for deals, don’t be afraid to haggle, look for weekend deals at business hotels and try to avoid hidden costs such as parking, internet, safe deposit boxes, fitness, etc. We use Wyndham Rewards and almost always receive a free hotel stay every trip we take. I recently noticed a Twitter announcement on 9/9/09 from CheapTweet that was posted by a Days Inn in Austin that was offering 9 people $9.99 any room as long as they stayed within 9 days. Don’t’ forget my Best Days of Week to Shop article, calling to book your hotel on a Sunday and speaking with the manager on duty will save you big.
Budgets for travel can be easily overspent when we fail to consider all the costs. Your best money saving strategy can be to simply plan and account for all costs, big, small, hidden and incidental.
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