Budget Travel Tips

Summer is here and during this time of year many families travel to various destinations for vacation. If you are planning a family excursion, below are some tips and resources that may help reduce your travel costs and put money aside toward debt settlement.
 
Use Gas Wisely
 
According to a survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association (TIA), rising gas prices are not likely to affect travel plans of American consumers. The results of the survey participants indicate that travelers plan to cut costs on other vacation expenses in order to compensate for higher fuel costs.
 
For example, 38% of respondents would drive to a closer destination or spend less on souvenirs and shopping. Web sites such as www.gasbuddy.com and www.gaspricewatch.com list prices in your local area and are updated by local volunteers. Getting a tune up on your vehicle before your trip may also help you get better gas mileage.
 
Use The Internet To Plan Your Trip
 
In recent years, many consumers have taken advantage of the many online travel booking sites. ComScore Networks Inc., a marketing firm that studies online consumer behavior for marketing purposes, reports that 150 million Americans visited these sites in 2005 and revenues from travel sites exceeded $60 billion. These user-friendly sites allow you to enter your departure and arrival dates and allow you to choose from a variety of package deals. It is a great way to compare prices! These popular sites listed to the right can help you begin your search.
 
Timing Is Everything
 
Summer is usually the busy time of the year for many prominent tourist areas. Therefore, many vendors such as hotels, airlines, and restaurants raise their prices during peak season. When something is in demand, you usually pay top dollar for it. If possible, you may consider scheduling your vacation after Labor Day when the busy season ends. However, most families with school-aged children may not be able to do this since kids usually begin school around that time of the year. Another option may be to plan your hotel or airfare trip during the week and avoid the higher prices of weekend travel. If your schedule is extremely flexible, check out the last minute deals on many of the travel booking sites. Airlines do not want to travel with empty seats and may offer low prices just to fill vacancies.
 
Monitor Your Food Budget
 
Food can be a major expense on a family vacation. Experiencing the local cuisine is definitely an exciting aspect of a trip, but dining out for every meal can really become a budget buster. Consider packing some non-perishable items like cereal, snacks, peanut butter, jelly, bread, soda, and juice boxes. If you are staying in a hotel, bring a cooler in which you can store milk and ice. You can create some quick meals instead of always visiting a restaurant.
 
Make It A Family Affair
 
Instead of staying in a hotel, check out the price of a beach house or condo. You may be able to split the costs with other friends or family members by staying in a spacious beach property. This would also help you save on food costs because most condos and houses are equipped with stoves and refrigerators, which would allow you to cook a lot more meals "at home." Check out the site www.beachhouse.com for a wide variety of vacation rentals.
 
Search For Discounts
 
When planning your trip, be sure to search for coupons or special deals on area attractions, amusement parks, and events. For example, if you plan to visit a Six Flags Theme Park, go to their web site and look for special summer deals. The American Automobile Association (AAA) also offers deals for members. Once you arrive at your hotel, pick up flyers and brochures in the lobby that may offer coupons for local attractions.