| 17 ways to stretch holiday vacation
cash |
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| 8.
Early booking gets the cruise deals. Cruise lines offer
many early booking specials, plus you'll save on airfare if you book early to
get to the port city. Remember: While you may be able to net a low-priced, last-minute
cruise deal, the last-minute airfare is more expensive.
9. Time your stay for best hotel deals.
Plan the timing of your stay according to the type
of place you visit. "Hotels
in cities are usually cheaper on the weekends, when business travelers aren't
staying there, but hotels in resort areas or other places that are popular with
leisure travelers are often cheaper during the week," says Doug Stallings,
an editor at Fodor's. The same Web sites used for searching
flights can help you find the best hotel deals. 10.
Try the art of negotiation. Travel with the principle that it never hurts
to ask for a little more. You can always ask for upgrades, whether it's a hotel
or transportation. Save your negotiating for those in management. You'll be more
successful. 11.
Avoid tourist traps. Research places of interest to visit before your
trip or visit the local visitors center. By traveling off the beaten path, you'll
avoid the expensive tourist traps. Plus, you're often treated to a more interesting
vacation, highlighted with personal glimpses of the local culture. 12.
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. 13.
Dining deals on the town. When you're traveling, or even in your own town,
take advantage of the chambers of commerce and visitors centers. You'll find great
restaurant discount coupons. Plus, you'll hit on valuable coupons for area attractions
and ideas for inexpensive activities. Do lunch. Lunch menus
usually offer the same entrees as dinner, just smaller portions and a smaller
check. Another cost-cutting palate pleaser: Dine out during
the week, rather than the weekends. Often, the menu prices climb over the weekend.
14.
Bring your own grub. Travel with a cooler. You won't be purchasing drinks
and snacks at every rest stop. Rent a house, condo or efficiency, so you can cook
or barbecue. Your meals won't eat away at your budget. 15.
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 trip, withdraw larger amounts
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. 16.
Pack lightly and carry a spare. Keeps things simple. Carry two credit
cards, a debit card and enough cash for a few days. That way, you'll have less
to protect and it'll be easier to monitor spending. Carry a backup card in a separate
place from the rest of your cards. 17.
Really cheap travel. Even if you're on a skimpy
budget, you could still afford to get away. Stallings says to cut costs, plan
a vacation close to home. "There's almost
always something interesting to see in your own backyard," Stallings says.
"Explore the sites you might not normally visit, like a local museum or holiday
festival. Think about places that are within 100 to 200 miles from home, where
you can drive in a few hours. Look at the Web site for cities' convention and
visitors bureaus. They often highlight local specials you might not read about
in your own paper." Lucy Lazarony and Amy Fleitas
contributed to this story. | 
