It’s that time of year when we start thinking about what we are going to do for our summer holidays, so if you are going to go away then use our planning tips to help avoid unwanted vacation headaches!
1. Carefully organise: To save a lot of hassle, stay organized. Keep every confirmation number. Keep records of when you called places and with whom you spoke to. Documentation is the key to ensuring that you receive what you planned on getting.
2. Check out message boards: To make sure you are paying for something worthwhile, do a little online research. Searching the Web for message boards and hotel reviews can give you a good look at what you are getting yourself into.
3. Plan ahead: Odds are you will get better rates if you plan ahead. Airline tickets are expensive when buying them at the last minute. With planning, you can have time to research various hotel offers or package deals.
4. Consider a travel agent: There are many travel agents out there more than willing to help you. Often, they can give you information about locations that the average person might not know, like a great little bed and breakfast on the outskirts of town or a hole-in-the wall restaurant with the best cuisine you will ever eat.
5. Safety: Investigate the safety of the area you are planning on traveling to. Some parts of town may not be safe for you to explore. Be aware of your location and do not be naïve of current world issues.
6. Look into unexpected fees: Don’t forget about taxis, possible checked baggage fees, tips for services and other unexpected costs that you might encounter when you travel. Costs can add up quickly while traveling, and random problems like needing to buy a new suitcase might pop up. Add a little bit of extra cash into your finance planning to cover these costs and still stay on budget.
7. Consider quality vs. quantity: Before embarking on your vacation, set your priorities. What is more important to you on the trip? Where do you want to spend your money? Your priority might be taking luxury transportation like first-class airline tickets, staying in nice hotels and or dining at expensive restaurants. Consider staying in hostels or bringing along your own cheap snacks instead of buying food while you are out and about.
8. Think about alternate means of transportation: Often traveling like the locals is the way to save money. Learn subway, trolley or cable car routes and save yourself cab fares. Ask local residents what they suggest for transportation.
9. Budget: Budgeting can make so many things possible. Start putting aside a small portion of your paycheck away or forgo a few little luxuries like expensive coffee each morning or manicures for a while and watch your money grow.
10. Don’t stress: Always remember, have fun while planning this trip and don’t stress. You don’t want to be bitter about the whole thing before you leave the house. Having the mindset of “wow, this sure better be worth all the hassle” is no way to begin a vacation.
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