| In a tough economy, people's travel plans often | | | | of your own meals to offset the cost of your |
| suffer. Luckily, despite the waddling economy, | | | | vacation. |
| folks can still take advantage of travel deals to | | | | 5. Share expenses with a friend or group of |
| enjoy fabulous vacations at a fraction of the cost. | | | | friends. If you plan a road trip where you can |
| If you want to travel on the cheap but you're | | | | carpool or all stay together in the same |
| concerned about financing a vacation, you can still | | | | accommodations, you and your friends can split |
| make things happen with some careful planning. | | | | the costs as many ways. |
| Simply get creative and find some great ways to | | | | 6. Take a more rugged trip, like camping, |
| save on your vacation costs! | | | | backpacking, or even a road trip. Save money by |
| First things first - decide on the necessary factors | | | | staying at hostels, cheap motels, or even under |
| of your vacation. Make a list of your prerequisites | | | | the stars in a tent. If you are set on a vacation |
| - such as land or sea, domestic or international, | | | | with modern conveniences, look for a vacation |
| luxury-ish or roughing it. Once you've determined | | | | house that you can rent from the owner. |
| your travel preferences, you can start planning a | | | | 7. Become a member of "Triple A". Countless |
| great vacation on the cheap. Finding travel deals | | | | hotels and travel related companies offer |
| might even be easier than you think. In fact, | | | | discounts only to members. The membership |
| many hotels are discounting rooms way lower | | | | costs less than $50 a year and could save you |
| than ever before in hopes of luring in some | | | | lots more. |
| would-be travelers. You can also take advantage | | | | 8. If you're seeking a tropical vacation, consider a |
| of a number of deals available through | | | | cruise or an all-inclusive deal. A cruise offers the |
| memberships and the Entertainment Book. | | | | opportunity to see several wonderful destinations |
| 1. Go on vacation during off-peak times. If you | | | | on the same vacation - totally more bang for |
| can still have decent weather, why pay top dollar | | | | your buck. Also, Mexico is known for having |
| for prime time? | | | | affordable prices and great vacation packages. |
| 2. Use a credit card with air miles or hotel stay | | | | 9. Look for free and cheap things to do in addition |
| rewards. If you spend all year long earning air | | | | to your planned itinerary. If you plan to do a |
| miles or hotel dollars, you can offset your | | | | more expensive activity, fill some of your other |
| vacation costs with the rewards you reap from | | | | free time with lesser expensive or even free |
| your credit card. | | | | events. Also, seek out discount coupons and |
| 3. Get a copy of the money-saving Entertainment | | | | vouchers. |
| Book. In case you aren't familiar, the | | | | 10. Be willing to get bumped from a flight for |
| Entertainment Book is a comprehensive volume | | | | airfare vouchers. Also, consider booking your |
| of coupons, deals, and discounts at countless | | | | flights in advance for better pricing if you notice |
| locations around the United States. You can buy a | | | | costs beginning to climb. |
| book for your local area or even get an | | | | While it won't actually save you money, you can |
| Entertainment book for your destination, such as | | | | also begin saving for vacation before you even |
| Buffalo, NY for a Niagara Falls vacation or Orlando, | | | | know you're planning one. If you have a bit of a |
| FL for a Disney vacation. | | | | reserve of cash set aside for a trip, you won't |
| 4. Arrange your trip so you can make your own | | | | feel as guilty doing the things you really want to |
| meals sometimes. If you stay in an efficiency or | | | | do on vacation! |
| even a tent with a fire ring, you can cook some | | | | |