| No money for a vacation? Stay home
and play! |
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Money-saving strategies for your holiday
The overall cost of taking a vacation increased by 3.7 percent from
2006 to 2007, according to the AAA's annual survey on vacation costs.
By vacationing in your hometown, a family of four
-- two adults and two children -- can save an average of $152 per
night in lodging costs, and at least $118 a day for meals, not including
tips or beverages, suggests the AAA report. This doesn't even include
the rising cost of filling up your tank.
Yikes, these expenses can begin to eat into
a tight budget. Here's a picnic basket full of ideas to cut these
costs, too:
1. Start with a budget.
Even for a day adventure, it's a good idea to allot a certain amount
of spending money -- then track it. Planning your cash cuts down
on spontaneous purchases and guards against putting too much on
your credit card.
2. Picnic anyone? Meals
can quickly eat away at your budget. Travel with a cooler so you're
not purchasing drinks and snacks at every rest stop. And you'll
be prepared to sample local fare from a farmer's market and enjoy
a picnic dinner at a peaceful stop along the way.
If you want to dine out, be selective. Go out
midweek rather than weekends, when menu prices often climb. Or,
let's do lunch. Midday menus usually offer the same entrees as dinner,
just smaller portions and a smaller check.
3. Prepare for savings. Tourist spots
sell everything from film to capture those special moments to sunscreen,
bottled water and aspirin for prolonging your fun -- at a higher
cost. Purchase these items before and save.
4. Swipe with savings in mind.
Use only your own bank's ATM whenever possible. If one's not available,
look for machines with a "No surcharge here" logo. If
you plan on using an ATM regularly on your day trip, withdraw a
larger amount of cash to reduce your number of transactions. Or,
when you're at the grocery store stocking up on food and sunscreen,
ask for cash back to avoid fees and additional surcharges.
By traveling off the beaten track, you'll avoid the inflated costs
of tourist traps. Plus, you're often treated to a more interesting
vacation, highlighted with personal glimpses of the your local culture.
5. Be a fuel miser ... and save. The
best way to beat rising gas prices on your weekend excursions is
to burn less. Increase your fuel efficiency by keeping your vehicle
in top running condition. Plus, shop for the right gas and adopt
"fuel-conscious"
driving habits to extend the time between fill-ups and cut costs.
Go ahead -- schedule some vacation time and
start planning!
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