Travel in Budget

Kelley Falgout asked:


Budget travel has become a necessity for most people with the cost of gasoline and other consumer products on the rise. But when we start considering when, where, how and what type of vacation to undertake, we sometimes get caught up in the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming trip and 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 and for some, even more infrequently, so 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. Travel planning is easier that you might think and here are eight great budget travel tips for making your travel dollar go further!

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Set your priorities: Set some budget travel 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 budget 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.

8. 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.



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Lee Dobbins asked:


Do you love to take vacations but don’t have a lot of money? Then learning how to budget your traveling can get you more vacations every year!

Today with the economy the way it is, budget travel is becoming more and more of a necessity and more merchants are offering great deals to those that can accommodate the restrictions. Aside from travel deals, you can also do some things to keep your costs low and save on the overall trip.

First off, you need to prepare a travel budget. This means deciding what is important to you and where you can cut back a bit. For instance, some travelers are comfortable spending a bit more for a better class of hotel, while others prefer to save money by using budget accommodations and spend the money they saved on sightseeing or a special meal for the family.

Next, figure out a budget for the various aspects of your vacation, such as hotel, airfare, rental cars, sightseeing, gasoline, etc. Once you have a good idea of what each element of the vacation should cost, it is time to start shopping around for the best deals.

Once you have figured out what is most important to you, it is time to start finding out how to get the best deals. Often, admission deals on area attractions are the easiest to come by, since many theme parks, museums and other destinations run specials to attract out of town guests.

To get big discounts on area attractions, the best place to start is the web site of the attraction itself. Be sure to check the web site for any specials, such as two for one deals, free admission for children, special reduced admission days, etc.

Certain orgainzations such as the military, AAA and senior citizens groups offer discounts on lodging, attractions and travel. Most AAA offices sell discount admission tickets to theme parks, museums and other popular attractions within driving distance, and most AAA offices sell discounted admissions to popular attractions like Walt Disney World as well. The key to making your travel budget stretch farther is to ask about, and take advantage of, all discounts that may be available.

If you are driving on your vacation, make sure you get your car serviced and that it is in peak condition. This can really save you some money as things like under inflated tires and worn spark plugs can cause your gas mileage to go down thus costing you more in gas money.

A good map can also be a money saver, since it will keep you from driving around in circles and wasting gas. Finding your way easily to and from the hotel and the surrounding area will make your vacation more pleasant and less costly.

Finding good deals on your vacation travel and destinations can be a bit of work but it will be worth it in the long run with more enjoyable and more frequent vacations.



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Al Terry asked:


Watching a visitor enter New York City for the first time has always been the equivalent of watching a deer in the headlights. The fast pace, noise and traffic just seem to startle my friends when we go into the controlled recklessness flowing through the streets of Manhattan. Growing up right near New York it has always been my playground, and perhaps something I took for granted as I was younger. There is no question in my mind New York is the best city and offers the most and best of whatever your desire be. If great food is your forte, well the best chefs thrive in the alleys, nightlife? The city has the best you will find and you will continue to find new hot clubs, concerts? almost every artist considers New York their favorite venue, sports? Come on the Yankee’s and the Mets The Giants and the Jets? Oh, and lets not forget New York Broadway Theater, the best musicals, plays and shows anywhere!

So with so much to do it is no wonder why friends become lost and a bit overwhelmed by New York’s addicted charm, and if I was not there to guide them they would probably just sit in the car wondering where to go. Most people think a trip to New York is going to hit the wallet pretty hard, but believe it or not a great time can be had on a small budget if you are willing to go a bit off the beaten path.

My first recommendation would be a nice, safe and inexpensive place to stay. The going rate for an average hotel room in Manhattan is around 300.00, not chump change, especially when you are use to paying about 80.00 for a decent room. A couple important factors to take into account here, you want to be safe, you want a well lit area and you want to be near transportation. Lets not forget, you are a stranger in the largest city in the world, a dive in a questionable neighborhood is out of the question for a family vacation. So where in the world are we gonna find something which covers such bases? The New Yorker Hotel is my favorite place to stay, built in the 1930s the rooms have a very unique style and cost is in the 100.00 dollar range. Located near the Javis Center and Madison Square Garden you are in the heart of Manhattan entertainment. The location is close to Times Square and on top of everything you have the major connecting trains for cheap transportation to any location. Close to all the popular Theaters makes The New Yorker a great choice for Broadway junkies.

Now that we have cut the cost of your stay more then in half, what about eating? Dinner in New York must cost and arm and a leg. This is very true, if you want some of the finest cuisine from a five star restaurant you can easily head toward Central Park and eat at the touted “Tavern On The Green,” but if you are just looking for some great food at a reasonable price there is always a special to be found. The trick to eating great and keeping within budget is to travel a bit further from all the neon lights and tourist sections of the city. New Yorkers are very friendly and helpful, so asking a few questions of where to find great specials and happy hours can easily have you discovering hot happy hours with delicious half price appetizers and drinks. Barrow Street Ale House located in the West Village offers dollar fifty import drafts and a forty cent wing special, with a fun environment. The ale house may not be five star cuisine, but come on, buck fifty imports and hot wings in New York City? I cannot think of anything better I would rather do.

The perfect room, full stomach and couple drinks for under ten dollars and the night is becoming alive all of the sudden. The club scene maybe something you want to hop into for a while, the New York Deejays are the best in the world and the dancing is nothing short of spectacular. The New York nightlife provides many events as well, such as, hot sporting events like Yankee baseball, Knicks basketball and Rangers Ice Hockey, boxing at the Garden is always a popular venue. If sports are not your ticket, the music scene can host everything from a major band at Madison Square Garden to a hot local jam band at The Wetlands. Broadway Theater is one of the largest attractions for visitors, and for your first time in the city it would almost be a crime not to go and check out at least one show.

New York events can sometimes be difficult to get a ticket for, especially if it is last minute. These tips will help get you a ticket and try to save some money. The best bet is always to purchase direct from the box office, but if you missed the boat find a New York ticket broker, the tickets may cost twenty to thirty percent more, however, you will be able to choose your seat and be safe from scalping or fake tickets. An inexpensive way to get a great seat is to simply go to the will call of the venue and see if anyone has canceled last minute. Many times tickets are held for performers or stage hands and the individuals they invited were unable to attend, making a great seat available at face value last minute. Avoid scalpers in New York, they are to risky and more times then not you will pay a lot of money and never enter to see the show. Try a New York ticket broker before even thinking about buying from the risky streets of the city. The last tip for finding that hard to get ticket, hop online and find a forum dedicated to the show you want to see. For example if you want to go to a Broadway show such as “Phantom Of The Opera” and it is all sold out, post to a group that is dedicates to the show on Broadway and ask if anyone will be going with an extra ticket. Now you have just got a great seat at face value and made a new friend on your New York vacation.



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