Planning a Money Smart Vacation
Summer is just around the corner and soon many Americans across the country will embark on their well deserved summer vacations. Vacationers need to carefully plan their summer getaways to make their vacations financially feasible. To help consumers effectively manage their summer finances, we at CreditGUARD of America have put together the following tips and guidelines.
(PRWEB) May 2, 2005 -- Summer is just around the corner and soon many
Americans across the country will embark on their well deserved summer
vacations. According to travel experts, three out of four Americans plan to
travel this summer despite above average gas prices. Vacationers need to
carefully plan their summer getaways to make their vacations financially
feasible. Without a solid financial plan, your family’s expenses could soar
above the preset amount and this could hurt you more than the occasional
sunburn.
To help consumers effectively manage their summer finances, we
at CreditGUARD of America have put together the following tips and
guidelines.
Set a Spending Limit
Setting a limit on the expenses of
your upcoming vacation is extremely important. This will prevent you from
planning a vacation that you really cannot afford. Before making the plans, ask
yourself “How will I pay for my vacation?” and “If I use credit to finance my
vacation, how much will I pay in the long run?” When deciding on a spending
limit, make sure you keep some extra cash for unexpected expenses. Establishing
best and worst case scenarios will help keep your nerves down knowing that you
are prepared to handle any financial situation.
Do Your Homework
Take
advantage of the Internet to find information about discounts on hotels, tours,
rental cars, airfare and entertainment. Many travel companies such Expedia,
Orbitz and Travelocity offer vacation packages which will allow you to combine
all your travel needs. These vacation packages can save you hours of researching
as well as hundreds of dollars in discounts. Also, be sure to ask about possible
discounts for students, seniors or auto club members. For instance, American
Automobile Association (AAA) members can save up to 20 percent in any of the
Best Western hotel chains around the country.
Avoid Tourist Traps
When buying vacation souvenirs, skip exotic gift shops and head to local
supermarkets and drug stores. Supermarkets and drug stores often buy these items
for much less than gift shops and hence can pass on some of these savings to its
customers. Avoid buying items such as cameras, films, batteries, swimwear and
aspirin from tourist hotspots. Most of these items can be purchased from your
home supermarket for a fraction of the price.
Save Money on
Breakfast
Nowadays, many hotels and inns offer continental breakfast to its
guest for free of charge. This can really come in handy if you travel with your
family as it can save you lots of money. If your hotel does not provide free
breakfast, request for a room equipped with a refrigerator and purchase the
items you need for one or more meals per day. This way you would not be tempted
to eat in the hotel’s pricey restaurants.
Take Advantage of
Coupons
Coupons can be a great money saver for many vacation goers. Coupon
books such as ‘Coupons save Money!’ can be obtained from hotel front desks,
local newspapers, convenience stores and online. These coupon books can save you
money on dinning, attractions, tours, shopping and etc. When using coupons
always remember to read the fine print thoroughly and be familiar with merchants
terms and conditions.
CreditGUARD of America is a non-profit credit
counseling organization that assists consumers through credit counseling and
financial education.
Please visit our web site at www.creditguard.org or call
1-800-867-0406 for a free consultation with a certified credit
counselor.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb235119.htm