Vacation Without Going Broke!
By Kristi Vaughan
Think vacations are only for the rich or those willing to go in debt? Not necessarily. It is possible to take a vacation without spending more than you can afford. But doing so will take planning and forethought.
Plan ahead
Advance planning can help you locate bargains and maintain perspective. Consider the following:
- Establish a budget -- Before you become enamored of waving palm trees, ski slopes or exotic adventures, decide what you can afford to spend.
- Be realistic -- Carefully evaluate what the vacation will cost. Have you thought about all the possible “extras?”
- Find specials -- Bargains are available, especially for last minute travelers or those who are flexible in their plans. Sign up for travel newsletters and check airline and hotel Web sites frequently to see what they are offering.
- Collect rewards -- Credit card companies offer rewards that can be redeemed for airline tickets, car rentals and hotel rooms. So too are there frequent use rewards offered by many hotel companies. Ask your employer if you can accumulate business travel points for personal use. One word of caution, especially on reward credit cards: balance the potential cost of these programs against the benefits.
- Travel off season -- Renting a beach house before the height of the summer season or traveling to a ski resort long after the snow has melted can save you lots of money. And, depending on the location, you may find just as much to do. Again though, a word of caution: if you travel off season check to make sure enough local businesses and restaurants are open to make your trip enjoyable.
- Vacation at home -- As many who’ve had visitors from far away quickly learn, there is a lot to do in your own backyard. What sites would you show a visitor? How would you spend your days? Why not try these yourself?
Beware of travel scams
Travel scams abound. They can come by phone, the Internet or email. To avoid being a victim of a travel scam, the American Society of Travel Agents offers several tips, including:
- Stay away from travel offers that sound “too good to be true”
- Don’t release financial information unless you initiated the call
- Get details in writing prior to paying
- Know that you will be charged for calling a “900” phone number
- Walk away from high-pressure sales presentations
- Be wary of offers that require you to wait or want several alternate dates of departure
- Government information on telemarketing travel fraud also is available.
So go ahead and think about those days of leisure. You can afford to go!