100 General tips for traveling on a budget (1-25)
Getting to make the most of your next personal journey. Remember: “the devil is always in the details”. There are many ways you can save money, avoid costs, ensure details and relevant issues are taken into consideration and dealt with accordingly. Finding ways to be smart, becoming and being a perceptive traveler, maximizing your travel dollar is as easy as 1, 2,3…(or more accurately, 100!!). Make your pick! 2. Arm yourself with lots of information regarding your destination of choice. Write to obtain information from a variety of sources like the tourism boards, local chamber of commerce and tourist information centers. They all offer and share information gladly with would-be travelers. Best of all, it costs you only the time and maybe the phone call or postage required on a self-addressed stamped envelope, to access this treasure-trove of information. Sometimes the information is even online, at your fingertips, readily accessible and without any associated costs. Knowledge is power! It will save you money. Avoid being taken advantage of, exploited or extorted by excessive prices and/or misrepresentation by arming yourself with the facts! Ensuring that you are familiar with as much background and localized, relevant, up-to-date travel, general information, will better prepare you for the details of your trip, assist in planning your event schedule more effectively, and being a smart and informed tourist never hurt anyone! On the contrary, you will maximize your trip, from departure, during to your safe return. 3. Travel resources and destination guides are a great help and good place to start gathering topical, destination and relevant information. Consult many of them and check often for new and helpful resources in print and online that contains destination-like travel information. Save money if you are an AAA member and take advantage of their free travel guides. Avoid costly mistakes and unanticipated costs, for hotels for example, by knowing what is happening in the area at the time you are planning to take your trip. Are there any conventions, major sports events or concerts, tradeshows and other happenings in and around where you plan to be? Might any of these factors influence cost and availability? Ensure informational detail provided is reliable and current. Be smart, check, and verify the information provided to ensure that it is up to date and accurate. 4. Be informed and show local interest. Read and do research about your destination, location and surrounding areas. Hidden treasures are found this way! Enjoy travel previews and other multi-media sources that can be a good way to “rehearse” and prepare for your trip. Talk to others who have been there and ask them about places to stay and things to see. 5. Remember to budget some additional funds for taking care of those dear ones who cannot do so for themselves. We are referring to our animal friends and pets. Special arrangements for pets should be made prior to any trip and well in advance. This applies, whether pets are being cared for at home by a neighbor or friend, placed in a kennel (taking a mini-vacation of their own!), or accompanying you on your trip. Save money by checking your options at your destination. Some rental vacation homes, apartments, hotels and resorts are pet-friendly and encourage owners to bring them along. Avoid unnecessary costs of boarding. Make it a rule of thumb however, to verify any details pertaining to animals, prior to departure. Be smart and get all vet visits, guidelines, travel documents and other paperwork that applies, done way in advance. If you do not have any pets, looking after your domicile and belongings should be left to a trusted and responsible party you trust and value. 6. Being practical goes a long way to save you money and unnecessary, self-inflicted ‘pain’ away from home! Be sure to pack some common sense too. Save money by not giving in to impulse shopping repeatedly, especially on ‘must-have’ shoes! Avoid wearing or trying out the newly bought pair of semi-uncomfortable shoes on your travels. Your feet and pocketbook will thank you. 7. In preparation for making your travel dream come true, assembling a personal travel file is also not a bad idea. Include the exotic and far-away lands you are considering, as well as your local visitor’s attractions and destinations in and around where you live, for those shorter trips. This will assist you in realizing your travel goals and dreams you worked so hard on putting together and getting ready to execute! 8. Travel documents should always be kept safe and taking a photocopy packed somewhere is prudent and smart. It will help you to prove your citizenship anywhere, anytime, protecting your personal interest. If it should ever be stolen, contact and share that information with the authorities, embassy and police right away. 9. There are many options for the health and price-conscious traveler amongst us. Biking and walking tours are unique options for the adventurous and active types looking for something a little different and or off the beaten path. A good investment in your health, fitness and wellbeing as well as exploring corners of the planet you have not seen or considered before might appeal to you too. 10. Checking on all travel document requirements for various areas and countries as well as special documentation requirements, entry fees, duties and taxes, need to be considered, planned and budgeted for. Contacting embassies and getting information on visas and any and all other applicable fees are crucial to minimize the impact on your pocketbook. 11. In a time when technology is so part of our lives, we barely give it a second thought. It is however very wise to have handy proof of purchase or receipts for any high-tech equipment you might be transporting. Shortlist your inventory of cameras, radios, camcorders, laptop computers, etc., you are taking with and keep them all in a file. This could be your redeeming feature when clearing customs and them wanting to charge you duty on these. It is useful to have to ensure minimum delay and no additional cost. Do this even if the items were purchased before traveling. Spending the time on this now way in advance of your planned trip, will ensure smooth sailing and saved dollar down the road. It is definitely worth the effort. Holding on to receipts for newly purchased items, also assists you upon your return to consolidate spending and assess cost, as you wrap up your vacation expenditures, budget and plan for the next trip! 12. Having the ability of mobility when you are traveling away from home is very important. Driving yourself around gives you more options to customize and optimize your sightseeing and trip to your liking and individual preference. An enabler of this is your driver license. For most of us, our current license to operate a vehicle should be valid in most of Europe and around the world, for a limited time. HOWEVER, never assume! Always check the details as some countries will still require an international license or permit. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for additional information. 13. Financial and currency exchange information. Always be informed, prudent and curious about foreign currency exchange, rates and related subjects that could affect your travel dollar and cash on hand. There are numerous sources of this information handy to travelers. You can find out any of the current exchange rates in real-time, from the worldwide Web, stock exchange websites, your own bank, and or by contacting private currency exchange businesses like Thomas Cook and others, offering this financial service. 14. Taking care of feeding and fueling the human machine is important. When traveling, it is all about energy and stamina. How far can you go and keep on going? Whether on a led tour or even for traveling alone, it is wise to have handy some ‘snack packs’ and tit-bits. These could include raisins, nuts, cheese and crackers, small foil envelopes of tea and coffee, and fresh fruit. Instant breakfast drinks might also help to replenish and re-energize, when you need it most. Having a snack handy or as a quick pick-me-up, could be a lifesaver and is considered a necessity, not a luxury! It will also save you money and exercising the option to have “healthy” alternatives on-hand, will keep you protected from that dreaded holiday pounds that add on so quickly as well! 15. 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! BUT ALSO: 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 stopover 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. 16. Forward thinking, anticipating, organizing and PLANNING all protect your travel interests, saves money and avoids unnecessary costs. A most helpful currency you have besides your travel funds and monetary resources is knowledge and information. The more you know about the destinations and places you will be visiting, the more rewarding, and safe, enjoyable, memorable and fiscally successful your visit will be! A word to the wise: do not over-analyze and worry too much, constantly forgetting that this is about being a little spontaneous as well. 17. In addition to the small bills amount you carry with you, transport most of your monetary funds in something like guaranteed travelers checks. These are freely available through most local banks. Keep denominations to low figures is mostly advised. If however, you are worried about transaction fees on smaller amounts, get a couple of larger denominations to be on the safe side. As a precautionary security measure, to save money and avoid difficulty, delay and inconvenience, remember to keep a list of the numbers of the checks somewhere separate from the checks themselves in case they are lost or stolen. Guard ATM and credit cards and do not carry all your money in one place! 18. Verify medical conditions, travel and health advisories. Once you have picked your destination, it will serve you well to explore all health matters, including medical insurance and travel coverage you have and need. Visit your medical practitioner/doctor prior to your trip to ask about immunizations prescriptions and more. Find out what basic and special medicines to take along. Ensure you know what to do in case of an emergency. Have the numbers and all insurance information handy. 19. Optical tools like glasses and contact lenses, cleaning solutions, eyeglass repair kit etc, are all travel necessities if you wear them. Ensure they are on your pre-departure, out-the-door checklist. Good advice to eyeglass-wearers: take an extra pair of glasses, as well as either a copy of the existing or a new prescription for your glasses, just in case you might need them. 20. One of the most commonly made mistakes made by travelers is packing too much of everything. Except for 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. 21. A frequent-traveler favorite and luggage essential is the trusted small, lightweight travel alarm. It will prove to come in handy repeatedly and is easily carried anywhere. They are freely available and affordable from specialty travel stores as well as discount stores. Frequently travel alarms are sales items, so wait to make your purchase, if you can. 22. Checklists are helpful travel-enablers anywhere in the world at any phase of your trip. Some people write them out and a good tip to remember is that as you pack your bags, make a list of what you are taking. Expand the list if you buy anything while on your trip that will be going home with you. On the way home, having this checklist with you will help you avoid leaving or forgetting something along the way, in a bathroom or hotel drawer! 23. A laundry-saving tip suggests taking an ample supply of plastic bags to hold such things as soiled laundry, damp items and muddy shoes. These will protect and save your clothing and pocketbook in various ways. Small bags are excellent for storing toilet articles, stationery items, and medicine. You can also get specialized luggage storage space-saver, vacuum-type bags to maximize space in your suitcases and keep dirty and clean clothes separated and free from spills and leaks. 24. Take a clean set of underwear and one change of clothes in your on-board or carry-on luggage. It should ideally be packed with any valuables and items necessary to keep you happy, healthy and clean in case your checked luggage is misplaced, delayed or worse, stolen! 25. Diaries, notebooks, and a couple of empty envelopes for note taking, budget-updates and receipts. Many travelers keep diaries, scribbling not to forget experiences, sharing impressions, recording purchases, and or may we suggest, tracking your spending and budget. Others might even use them to preparing suggestions for friends who might visit the same place in the future and or save their tax receipts in one place. It just provides travelers with a good way to record their travel tips and suggestions to share with others as well as having that first step towards your budget consolidation and next trip already started. This cuts down on the work you will have to do planning and budgeting for your next trip. You will avoid losing receipts for major purchases and have your proof of payment handy for any customs officer that asks you about it! |
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Travel Cheap - Travel-enablers - 100 General tips for traveling on a budget (51-75) - Travel logistics: trips, bookings and travel details - 100 General tips for traveling on a budget (26-50) - A final word - Addendum - The travel phenomenon - INTRODUCTION - Travel wrap-up - 100 General tips for traveling on a budget (76-100) - The travel dilemma and decision - Travel dynamics and process Currently Online :9 member(s), 25 guest(s): BetterYou, Cashsplash, dragonslayer, EgyptianWonder, EyeSpy, HotLipps, LoveVolleyball, Power2Frogs, Rocky, Baiduspider+, Google, Slurp Search : |
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