Travel in Budget

Kelley Falgout asked:


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!



Caffeinated Content for WordPress

Martin Kleis asked:


Tunisia is the smallest of the North African countries but also a very popular one, with a culture and historical sights to compete with the best in North Africa. The fact that Tunisia was occupied by many of the great Mediterranean empires during its turbulent history, has given it a unique and interesting way of life which is unlike its larger neighbors.

There is plenty to see and do in this small country and in fact many European citizens do. With stunning Islamic architecture, Roman and Carthaginian ruins and amazingly friendly people it was always going to be a tourist hot spot, but add to this a beautiful sandy coastline and amazing desert landscapes in the south and you have yourself one hell of a destination.

The best time to visit Tunisia is the spring months between March and May when the temperatures are nice and warm, summer is popular with European citizens and can be stiflingly hot and the accommodation is at a premium.

Health-wise – The medical services available in Tunisia are not of a very good standard and if you are taken seriously ill, the chances are you will need to be evacuated by air to Italy. Waterborne viruses are a problem so basic water hygiene will need to be taken into consideration, such as boiling the water or even better drinking only bottled water. As is the same with any hot country, you will need to watch out for sunstroke and dehydration as well as sunburn. Drink plenty of water, take in plenty of salt and cover up! Snakes are a problem in the south, so keep your wits about you if you visit the region.

Visas and docs – Most western citizens can stay in Tunisia for up to three months without needing a visa, though Australian and New Zealand citizens can only get two weeks on arrival. Extensions are easy to obtain in Tunis, though they will take around two weeks to issue. Israeli citizens are not allowed into the country.

Cost – Tunisia is a budget travelers dream destination with plenty to see and costs which are extremely low. A budget of $15 a day will get you by easily enough, including a night in a guest house, local transport and food. If you budget a little more you will be able to have a more comfortable guest house and have the chance to visit the more out of the way places.

The Sights – For such a small country, Tunisia has a wealth of sights and activities for the visitor. Tunis the capital is a relaxed place and it is easy to stay here for a few days without wanting to escape. There are plenty of sights within day trip distance from the city including some wonderful ruins such as ancient Carthage and Utica.

The coastline is fantastic with some stunning beaches and bays and there is something for everyone ranging from the jet-setters amongst you to those looking for a more secluded place to stay. The only problem with this is the fact that in the summer it is packed out with European citizens who have discovered the beaches in the last five years.

Another highlight of a visit to Tunisia is visiting the Oasis town of Tozeur, with its spectacular scenery and vibrant market life. A great way to enjoy the scenery of the worlds greatest desert is to take a three day camel safari, a great experience and amazing value!



Caffeinated Content for WordPress

Wycliffe Williams asked:


The last time I searched for budget flights online-budget travel ariline tickets I used an unbelievable strategy that saved us over $300 per ticket. Ticket prices from New York to London enabled us to save money for some extra shopping.

Vacations are meant for us to spend fun time together as a family. They’re special times for letting our hair down. Not for pulling our hair out trying to save a dollar here and there.

Have you ever been on a trip to some faraway land and gotten bumped trying to get back home? That’s extremely frustrating. Especially if your funds are running low. What do you do in a case like that?

Have you ever been stuck in an airport overnight? What are you supposed to do? What’s your next step? What about your bags? What happens when you arrive safely but your bags are winging their way to Timbuktu?

A travel expert has taken three years to put together a book, “Travel Secrets Guide.” The travel strategies in this guide will save you hundreds, and depending on the number of people traveling with you, maybe even thousands of dollars.

It even answers the previous stressful questions and so much more. Have you ever changed your travel plans? If you have then you know about the ticket penalty. Well this book shows the steps you take to avoid that ticket penalty.

Thousands of customers use this book religiously to save on each and every trip they take. Included in the book is a Power Search Tool. It allows you to do a power search of the main travel websites.

This tool allows you to investigate ticket prices at Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire, Cheaptickets, Expedia and Priceline. So much time, energy and money is saved using this special search tool.

The book is crammed with travel tips and techniques on saving money in almost every area of your travel. Even in areas that you thought were financially locked down areas. You’ll get tips that will free those areas up, so that you can find another way to save.

For instance, have you ever heard of Airfare consolidators? These companies purchase flights in bulk directly from the airlines. They take the tickets and resell them to travel agencies and to members of the public. You can save between 50%-70% on these tickets.

That’s just another strategy included in this fantastic book. When things in the travel industry change and you can save even more, guess what? Your updates are free for a lifetime.

If you feel that this book doesn’t deliver on its promises, just ask for a refund. You’ll get it back in 48 hours. No hoops to jump through and no questions asked.



Caffeinated Content