Tip #94 - Pack A Bottle

Bottled water and beverages are often sold at much higher than normal prices at tourists attractions. A money-saver tip is to bring along lightweight plastic flask to be filled with water, fruit juice, or whatever you prefer. Carry it in your shoulder bag and again resist the urge to splurge to quench your thirst!

Tip #92 - Plane Seating Arrangements

Seating arrangements on the plane can be done in advance or at time of booking even. Ensure you get what is comfortable for you, verify upon check-in, and boarding that you have what you need, requested and paid for. Who knows, you might just score and upgrade if seats are available.

Tip #91 - Holiday Homework

Be SMART and informed about public holidays, special events, concerts and attractions in the countries and areas you plan to be visiting. This has been mentioned many times in my blog posts. By doing your homework early and coming up with budgetary categories and discretionary funds for entertainment and special events helps you with priorities, plan itineraries, save and execute a memorable and unforgettable trip.

Tip #87 - Accept and Appreciate Local Customs

Utilize and optimize local knowledge, customs and hospitality. Learn, accept and appreciate the customs of the country you are visiting. Go with the flow and enjoy the culture, music, food and kindness of the area and its people!

Sometimes you will be surprised that it does not even cost you a cent to have a good time and share with others. Who knows, you may get a better shopping bargain if you know how to speak like the locals.

Tip #86 - Budget for Gifts

Budget categories often overlook include gifts for others. If you are purchasing souvenirs and mementos for friends, leave some money in a discretionary or personal allowance category. If running low on capital, a personalized post-card mailed from the location is always seen as thoughtful and valued because others feel flattered that you took the time to think about them and buy, write and sent it.

Do make a list prior to your departure with all you want to purchase gifts for and the amount you want to or can spend. Check the names off as you make your purchases. Avoid utilizing your credit card as we tend to over-spend and over-extend ourselves.

Tip #79 - Some Free Time

Mostly people say time is money! Generally true, indulge a bit in this category and give yourself some free or spare time for visiting a fascinating place, a special shop, or a hidden off-the-beaten path, place or activity you really do not want to miss! Do not over-extend or over-schedule yourself. There are only 24 hours in a day after all!

Tip #77 - Special Diets

Special dietary requirements need special budgeting and attention to detail. Specifying this up-front is crucial to avoid any surcharges and or additional cost for special meals. For most travel providers it is no problem. Shopping at a local grocer, market or deli are all ways to stretch that “meal” ticket and travel dollar just a little further.

If you are in a self-contained unit with its own kitchen and fridge, you can cut your costs even further by buying some essentials and snacks, small meals in-room will cut down meal and entertainment expenses tremendously.

Tip #75 - Secure Small Change

Secure and make change as soon as you can after arriving at your destination. This will avoid having to revert to your smaller denomination bills and tipping with a heavy hand and even heavier heart! This is a sure way not to deplete your incidental travel budget category.

Tip #73 - Avoid Hotel Long Distance

Pre-paid phone cards are a great idea for gifts for travellers. They are a good alternative to expensive long distance from your hotel-room, cabin or any place else on location where you find yourself vacationing. Today people also choose to use cellphones and text-messages to stay in touch and remain connected. Both are good options to save money while travelling.

Tip #72 - Vacation Spending Log

A unique suggestion for the budget-wise traveller is to keep a spending log as you go about your shopping endeavors. List all of your purchases. Include what you paid in foreign currency and the equivalent in U.S. dollars. No time wasted calculating customs duties and fees. The added bonus is everything is at your fingertips when the time comes to do the next travel budget! You will be one-step ahead this time round and even better prepared.

Tip #70 - Personal Information

Personal identification tags or information for all travellers, especially young kids! It does not hurt to keep a list of credit card numbers, telephone numbers, and driver license information in a convenient location such as a purse or wallet. You never know when you might need it to either prove your identity, for a major purchase or car rental, in emergencies and numerous other reasons. A resourceful traveller is always prepared for anything!

Tip #66 - Bank Contact Numbers

Arm yourself with personal information.

Having all your bank contact telephone numbers written down on a piece of paper, packed in your luggage and somewhere else on your person or in the hotel safe in an envelope with your other valuables you want under lock and key is the best way to protect your financial interest.

Finding out in advance who to call in case your checks or credit cards are lost or stolen is very important and will save you time and money and minimize the impact of any theft and or aftermath of lost, misplaced or stolen cards, wallets and travelers checks.

Tip #64 - Travel Nutrition and Diet

When we travel, we tend not to think too much about nutrition and good diet. The last thing you want to do is spend more money upon your return on a personal trainer or weight management program to battle the holiday bulge and extra vacation pounds you have gained.

Ensure a healthy, balanced eating style, habit and choices, with the occasional indulgence and treat as opposed to throwing all caution into the wind and making it all about the food. There are so many other activities to partake in, do not let boredom drive you to the only thing most people end up doing on vacation – eating and then way too much usually.

Tip #63 - Rechargeble Batteries

As mentioned earlier rechargeable batteries and a charger kit are good ideas to avoid bulk and additional cost of replacing it or worse not being able to take the footage or pictures you want, because the power has run low or out.

These priceless memories and their enablers need to be budgeted for as well by the money-wise traveller, taking care of even the littlest of details to ensure a memorable trip.

Tip #60 - Service Tips

Giving tips is considered common courtesy and customary most places in the world. But as an expenditure category, it can add up quickly and substantially! If ever in doubt whether it is appropriate to give a tip, ask! Ensure you set aside enough of an incidental budget to cover these and other daily expenditures covering the duration of your trip.

Tip #59 - Cheque vs Credit Card

Another money strategy includes having a personal cheque or two with you. They are not accepted any and everywhere, but where they are, they are cheaper than credit card transactions.

Tip #58 - Vacation and Travel Agents

When budgeting for any type of travel, package deal, or even your family vacation, find out about all costs associated with your trip. Confirm with the agent, location or provider you have chosen or listed on the flashy brochure or website you just visited. Read the fine print and avoid any surprises.

Ask about alternatives, package deals, discounts, coupons and special offers – if you do not ask, you will never know. And also, no one is going to necessarily “advertise” a cheaper price or offer you the lowest, cheapest fare right away. There is always room for negotiation and or innovative ways to cut costs and still have a memorable trip to an exotic destination.

Tip #57 - Vacation Memories

Multimedia and technology are travel essentials these days. Recordings before, during and after can all be captured and enjoyed over and over. An added benefit is that they weight less and take up “no additional room”.

It helps you assemble memories, so buying and budgeting for extra rechargeable batteries, charger-kits, adapter plugs, cables, carry-bags, memory cards and/or recordable media might very well be the best investment you make on and for your trip. For the return on investment is huge! Upon your return, it is always exciting to re-live key and precious, shared moments.

You could hear and view a tour guide, entertainers, or musicians enjoyed during your journey. Avoid buying and taking heavy travel guides with you (make copies of pages of interest). At your destination, there will always also be myriads of local sources at your disposal that offers a unique perspective, current pricing and information that might be outdated in even the most recent travel guides or magazines.

Tip #55 - Destination Information to Gather

Be resourceful and curious. Know as much as you can about your destination and prepare as well as you can, even for the unexpected. Read any and all literature you can find on what you should know before departing, such as facts, warnings, advisories, entry requirements, crime statistics, demographics, local economy, attractions and special events for your dream destination.

Again, it is worth mentioning that investing time, effort and yes, even money, if that is what it takes to get quality information that will save you money in the long run, will pay off! It is like a guaranteed investment in you and your travel dollar, pocketbook and budget.

Tip #51 - Local Cuisine

Local cuisine is a special treat. Ensure to budget for a couple of meals and outings where this is a priority! If you budget for it specifically, you will not feel cheated into eating fast food or salads, for fear of over-spending or running out of travel dollars. Hotel restaurants are convenient, but more expensive typically. Do note that in many places, the best local cuisines are not found in posh restaurants but at typical eateries and food courts.