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!
Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
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 #90 - A Staple Essential
A staple essential is tissue and toilet paper in your shoulder bag. Some suggest toilet seat covers as well. Hygiene will go long way to protect you from disease and illness. Something you definitely do not need while on vacation is getting sick or infected! Hand sanitizer and wipes are other small travel essential you can consider for your pockets or travel bag when you are out and about your dream destination, taking in the sights.
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 #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 #83 - Spare Batteries
Back-up plans for ‘energy-sources’ for your technology devices. It was suggested earlier that you take rechargeable batteries and a charge kit with you. It could also be prudent perhaps, to carry a spare set of batteries for your camera, radio, camcorder and other multi-media devices. Batteries are not always available overseas and often cost considerably more.
Tip #82 - Free Style Cruising
Free-style cruising has become a popular choice for those who prefer a truly leisure-style vacation. It is highly open and leaves tourists with the final option and decision on what event and when they want to participate in. This is your trip, so just remember that any of the offshore excursions normally have to be paid for separately. In some cases, any drinks and alcohol is additional too. Family cruises and all-inclusive options also offer good alternatives for most budgets.
Tip #80 - Multi-tools
Multi-tools and pocketknives have always been useful and advisable. In a climate of the threat of terrorism however, it is definitely preferable not to carry it in your backpack or cabin-luggage. It needs to be packed in your check-in luggage if you choose to take them at all. Alternatively, if you are flying and still think you might have a need for one – ask the concierge where you can buy one cheaply for camping, trekking, or other adventure travel.
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 #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 #71 - Travel Dental Emergency
Dental care kits. Most people think of a toothbrush and toothpaste, maybe even floss and mouthwash. But did you ever stop to think of taking an ‘emergency dental kit” when you travel?
Some items in this customized, personalized dental kit could include: aspirin or aspirin substitute, small container of hydrogen peroxide and water, dental floss, a dental mirror, and gauze. If you do have a medical or dental emergency, get and ask for references and discuss costs and coverage in full with your chosen or available provider.
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!
Tips #69 - Vacation Shopping
A good piece of advice around dealing with vacation shopping, declarations, receipts and customs officials: Having it all in one-place speeds up the process. If shopping is part of your travel endeavor and enjoyment on your trip, pack a flat fabric bag in the bottom of your suitcase.
When returning from your trip place all the purchased items in this bag. Everything is accessible and saves you time and money! If not, at the very least, you have made one official’s life a little easier today and your reward will be a smile, stamp and a nod!
Tip #68 - Bring A Jacket
Always layer and / or take a sweater or multi-purpose jacket with you, wherever you go. It can get cool pretty fast and a tourist location is not the place to have to buy this item. They will be priced a little higher obviously and you would probably spend too much without a second thought just because you need one! Not a good decision for your travel budget necessarily – especially if it is an unbudgeted item.
That is where the checklist comes in handy when packing your suitcase in the first place. Planes can also be very cool spaces, so ask for a blanket and pillow when you sit down in your seat.
Keep in mind that strong winds can cool down your body at a faster rate than usual. And you may come down with a flu easily if you are caught in the rain in this situation. Even though the temperature at your vacation destination may not seem to be cold, you may still need a sweater or windbreaker.
Go for those made of lightweight, water repellent, and breathable material made by Goretex or Northface. These good quality jackets are not cheap, but are worthwhile investments if you travel a lot.
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 #65 - House Sitters
Arrange for house sitters, emergency contact numbers and information at home while you are away. To save on costs for home security, burst pipes, fire and other emergencies or burglaries, ask a neighbor or close trusted friend to keep a watchful eye on your behalf and drop in from time to time to water plants, shovel driveways and collect mail, junk mail and newspapers.
Reward them with a special and thoughtful memento or dinner invite or both (depending on your budget) upon your return. Leave your itinerary with your friends, relatives, neighbors, or co-workers. They may need to contact you. Smart travelers start at home!
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 #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 #56 - Travel Medication
If you have to travel with medicine, it is wise to carry it in the bottle the prescription came in to avoid any confusion during custom inspections. Even a note from your doctor to state what it is and what condition it is used for could be helpful. A copy of your prescription and or even a refill prescription could be of value to you – especially on an extended 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.
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