Budget Travel: Invest Your Time Now And Save Money Later

By Kelley Falgout

When considering when, where, how, for how long and what type
of vacation, trip or holiday venture to undertake, we all get
caught up in the anticipation, excitement and exhilaration.
Sometimes we let the more important financial side of things
slip a little. After all, for most of us, taking a vacation may
only happen once a year, for some, even more infrequently. We
tend to indulge and forget about our pocket book a little.

There are many ways to save money, avoid unnecessary cost,
ensure you take care of details end up a smart and perceptive
traveler. Budget travel planning is easier that you might think
Here are a few handy travel tips for making your travel dollar
go further!

• Cushion your budget - When considering a trip or planning
budget travel, it is important to plan for the unexpected and
consider the financial side of things early on. This ensures
affordability, liquidity and having the resources to enjoy it to
the fullest! Plan for the worst-case financial scenario and
prepare for things to cost a little more than you expected.
Allow up to 20% increase in cost to be on the safe side of
things.

• Emergency money: Carrying some spare cash somewhere can also
be a lifesaver. The rule of thumb seems to be around $50-$100 in
small bills. This can be used for incidentals,
ground-transportation like cab fare and/or your return home,
tips and more.

• Set your priorities: Set some spending priorities and
criteria in advance, like eating at a special restaurant or
attending a concert, even if this means sacrificing a bit on
lodgings or visa versa, depending on what is more important to
you.

• Keep an eye on your credit cards: It is extremely easy these
days to have access to your financial resources through ATM’s
and credit cards. Just remember that it is just as easy to
overspend because of it being so readily available. A little
discipline will go a long way to protect your financial interest
and help you stick to your travel budget.

• Maximize gas mileage and efficiency: If you’re planning a
road trip, make sure that your car has been serviced at least a
week before your trip. A well-maintained vehicle will go a long
way to ensure carefree driving. If your budget allows, you may
consider renting a vehicle to save wear and tear on your own.
Small economy cars are better on gas and are much more
comfortable than they used to be. Minivans and sport utility
vehicles are practical only if you have to transport a large
family with a lot of equipment or luggage.

• Gas fill-ups: For filling up your car en route, avoid pushing
to the limit until the gas runs out. Gas will obviously be more
expensive when filling up in remote locations. If you
miscalculated and the light on the dashboard indicates that you
are really in need, opt for filling just half a tank until you
reach the next more densely or major populated destination,
where gas might be a little cheaper.

• Pack-a-snack: Bring your own refreshments and snacks. Gas
station prices on drinks and snack food are high. Avoid these
during a pit stop, if you are counting your travel dollars. A
cooler packed with lots of cool drinks, water and ice and/or a
thermos of coffee or hot water for tea, some fruit, granola
bars, or a sandwich, goes a long way to still the hunger and
save you money by avoiding all high priced stops en route.

• Travel necessities: It is advisable to travel with basic
necessities, like a cell phone and a first aid kit, since both
can prove to be essential in emergencies. Most people have cell
phones at their disposal, but in the event that you are not one
of them, a prepaid cell phone may be the answer for your trip.
The peace of mind it offers is worth the small investment. Cell
phones can also save on hefty surcharges and higher long
distance rates that hotels and resorts often charge.

Budget travel requires close attention to all things financial
before and during your trip. Planning a trip or vacation can be
a little time consuming but following these travel tips will
hopefully save you a lot of headaches as well as some
unnecessary interest charges on your credit card balances later!
You will thank yourself for your fiscal restraint and spending
discipline, upfront planning, foresight and forward thinking!

About the Author: Kelley Falgout is a theme park enthusiast and
publisher of http://www.FamilyThemeParkVacations.com, a vacation
planning tool and continuously growing database of all theme
parks, amusement parks and water parks located across the United
States.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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