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 #84 - Avoid Overwhelming Schedules

Do not overburden yourself with an overwhelming schedule that will leave you feeling like you need the vacation when you arrive back home from your trip. Maximizing and optimizing your budget and trip does not mean doing everything thinkable, imaginable and under the sun, that you can afford and fit in! You are doing a disservice to the purpose, goal and process that is savvy travelling! You should not feel that you have to do everything to get your money's worth. There is nothing wrong with relaxing and taking a breather along the way.

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 #52 - Travelling Alone

Personal freedom and safety also deserves a word to the travel wise. If traveling in a group, you can venture out on your own. If you chose to do so, just always ensure that everyone knows where you are going, when you plan to return and do not miss-scheduled group-activities.

Even if you are traveling by yourself, take steps to ensure your own personal safety and check that the areas and attractions you have chosen are safe and tourist-friendly, easily accessible and affordable and tell at least one other person where you are staying, where you are headed and what your plans are.

Tip #35 - Vacation Cash Management

‘Cash’ only when you need to! Only cash traveller’s checks when you really need money. Take no risk of carrying too much cash with you for no real apparent reason. Avoid being stuck with too much local currency from a foreign destination that you will lose money on converting.

Use all your small coins before changing notes. They make great tips! Minimize ATM and credit card transactions as they both carry transactional and administration fees – they are convenient but expensive.

Tip #34 - Travel Insurance

Insurance coverage is essential. Not only travel, medical and cancellation insurance, but for valuables that will be accompanying you on the trip. It is worth the small expense if weighed against loss or replacement cost without it should they get misplaced, forgotten or stolen.

Insure your precious belongings and valuables before you leave home if you absolutely have to take them with you. A great tip is to take along only what you are willing to lose. The rule of thumb and general agreement is still that it is much better to leave valuables at home.

Tip #19 - Travel Baggage

One of the most commonly made mistakes made by travellers is packing too much of everything. Apart from the inconvenience, there are also charges and fees for overages. You have to deal with having to ship personal belongings home, leaving some items at the airport, packing and unpacking bags, removing items and more! All these actions are responsive and costly options.

Pack and travel light. Think minimalism when packing. Pick items that will suit and serve you well, multi-purpose, functional, mix and match well, are durable and easy-care. Essentials rather than outfit and accessory, fashion and color-coded planning dictating the bulging suitcase.

Tip #14 - Know Your Flight Details

Verify flight details down to the smallest detail. Ensure you can answer questions about your trip and are knowledgeable about the terminology used on your booking and ticket.

For example: What is the difference between non-stop and direct flights?

Yes, the price mostly! Non-stops do not stop while direct flights may stop several times, but the passengers do not change planes. Check with your travel agent or airlines if you have any doubt. Know how long your stop-over will be, which city, location or airport the connection flights will be through, how much time in between and if delayed what your options are.

One-Word Answer to the Travel Dilemma...

Impulse!

Traveling is both exciting and exhilarating. It appeals to the majority of us for various reasons. It all seems to stem from somewhere deep within our human make-up. We are social and curious beings. Our earlier nomadic traditions and heritage, urge us to explore and conquer our world, both known and unknown. It has always been a quest and inspiration to go somewhere we have not been before and see places unseen until now.

The travel dilemma most of us face is simply when and where to take our next trip or vacation for leisure purposes. We looked briefly at a couple of money-saving tips that helped us answer a couple of key questions: Where are the places that I would like to go and how do I plan for my vacation?

Making the decision about where to go and when to travel is the easy part. It does not matter if we are traveling as sun or adventure seekers, to see family or people we know at a certain location or country, attend a spectacular or special event, visiting an exotic destination or just simply looking for peace and quiet.

The best time to start planning your trip is when the impulse hits you! Send away for information right away to learn more about your destination of choice.

Plan your trip so everyone has fun and budget for it accordingly! Think child-centered activities or a personal interest indulgence. Save money by deciding early and balance the family interest. Avoid trying to fit in all the “touristy” must-sees that will add up in the end. Select a few of them you really cannot bear to miss and enjoy them together.

Next: Details that you may miss out when planning...

The Simplest Cost-Saving Tip...

Take advantage of travel and flight agencies' discounts! Let them compete all they want, we benefit from it!

Most people mistakenly think that you need a lot of money to travel, or that vacations are simply too expensive and lavish. This is a good example of a wrongful assumption. Travelling ‘light’ so to speak, with limited cash, combined with a positive attitude and a deep personal commitment, persistence and resourcefulness is possible.

Simply put, planning pays and travel budgets save money. Taking the extra time to review sources at your disposal prior to, during and after your trip encourages a hands-on, pro-active approach to traveling and vacationing in general.

Taking advantage of cost-saving opportunities and discounts, limited offers and utilizing tips and tricks from frequent travelers are keys to travel success. Lessons learned will serve us all well when taking our next trip, whether to the campgrounds, some exotic tropical paradise or both!

Next up: Places where you can find these discounts...