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 #93 - Utilize local resources

Utilize local resources and access their expertise knowledge in order to cut down on costs. Get information and coupons for special attractions, family passes and two-for-one offers, free coupon booklets or special discounted offers and tickets you might not be able to find anywhere else. They also send material and guides in advance that can help you plan, budget, compare and decide when, where, how and why, soon, sooner, soonest!

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 #88 - Can't Afford Tipping

Do not sweat the small stuff. If you cannot afford tipping near the end of your trip due to a drained budget, do not worry about tipping! A heartfelt thank you or honest explanation, smile and kindness, even a hand with the luggage is sometimes enough for people to know you care and appreciate their effort, gesture and service.

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 #81 - Travel Cup

Travel-custom accessories like a collapsible cup are worth a lot, for those times and every moment when you need some water from a fountain, faucet or hose to re-hydrate! This is an inexpensive item to invest in that will not break the budget one bit, save you money in the process and is light to pack. This is a must-have for any would-be traveller – especially those travelling with young kids.

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 #76 - Do Not Skip Meals

Nutritional tip to save some money: Do not skip meals in order to save money! It is mostly counter-productive as most possibly, you would need medication for headaches as your blood-sugar drops and overall it is not worthwhile jeopardizing the rest of your trip in this fashion.

It is in fact not economizing and SMART travelling at all skipping meals. Travel activity and sightseeing takes energy. Fuel your human engine. Fresh fruit and local produce offer good alternatives to fast food or hefty restaurant bills. A good and healthy breakfast is a must to get your blood-sugar level up after a night without food.

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 #74 - Embrace Hospitality

Never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, and never pass up a chance to use the bathroom.

What this means is, savor every opportunity, embrace every chance provided that does not cost you anything, embrace hospitality, gifts and extended generosity. A nickel and a dime here and there saves dollars in the end!

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 #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 #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 #54 - Vacation Budget Wake-Up Kit

Start the day off right. You might want to consider packing a "wake-up kit". They typically can contain items like a travel mug, spoon, instant coffee or tea, sweetener, dry creamer, and a plug-in immersion heater. It is a great way to start the day and you will save on the morning cupper or evening tea by avoiding the hotel restaurant and nearby cafes. This will make your every penny and travel dollar count.

Tip #53 - Vacation Rehearsal

A good way to rehearse for your trip is to look at your own area or hometown as a destination as opposed to where you live and work. Ask yourself where you would go, what you would do and see. Also think about how you would get around ... all on a budget of course! This will not only not cost you money, but also get you into cost cutting and travel mode fairly quickly. There truly is nothing like lessons learnt and experience.

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.

Tip #47 - Vacation Food Budget

Be creative with meals and do not hesitate to improvise and eat like the locals. It is not necessary to have a feast like a king when on vacation. For example, a picnic or a quick bite to eat on the beach or in a park is one of the best ways to keep your food costs down and save your travel dollar for the evenings and dinners out.

Good food is not only found in high-classed restaurants. Economical eateries that serve good and clean food are options. You would be able to enjoy many of the local cuisine and immense yourself with the 'true' local culture and sights as the locals, like many other people, are usually more casual and act more naturally at these locations. This would really maxmize your vacation time and money, and allows you to experience what most other expensive vacations lack.

Tip #46 - Advice from Hotel Staff

Staff and employees on location where you are staying are wonderful sources of information. Do not hesitate to strike up a conversation or ask questions. This offers you with yet another avenue to secure valuable travel information and local tips and perspective.

Asking for instructions, directions, advise and help will often be met with an eagerness to serve. Staff enjoy being of assistance to their guests and meaningfully contribute in any way, shape or form, that they can.

Remember your thoughtfulness for the room attendance, valet and bellhop (if applicable) with appropriate tips and a little note if you so choose to show your appreciation. If they are still there on any repeat visit, they will be sure to remember you!

Tip #38 - Plan for the Unexpected

Plan and budget for the unexpected and incidentals. Whether it is as simple as a practical collapsible type umbrella and poncho or a buffer-fund for in case there is a delay, extended stay or other factors where you will incur additional cost.

Weather, for example, is unpredictable and can ruin a travel experience if you let it. Again, the key to saving money, avoiding expense, caring for details and being a smart traveler will be organization, planning, fiscal preparedness and resourceful fiscal discipline.

Tip #33 - Hydration

Just like taking care of fueling the human engine with food, we also need lubrication. By that, we mean lots of fluid and specifically water. Staying hydrated, irrespective of the climate, is just common sense. Invest in a good travel water bottle with a secure cap.

Always drink bottled water preferably - even when brushing your teeth or ordering your cocktails without ice or water if you are concerned about diseases etc. Drinking lots of water regularly will help prevent dehydration. You will also however have to plan for frequent pit stops for washrooms and remember in some countries you have to pay to use them!

In air, on flight, just remember that alcohol can be extremely dehydrating and may increase jet lag on a long flight! So that’s another good reason to drink lots of water.