Thrifty SouvenirsWhile doing our frugal travel to Arizona this summer, I realized that part of my travel fun is visiting local second hand, thrift stores, and even garage sales. Often I see regional team, theme parks and other tourist stop items are available there used.
Saving Money When Visiting Las VegasLas Vegas is a popular destination for many travelers, even if you don't enjoy gambling. There are all sorts of music events, museums, tournaments, fine dining and sightseeing options year round. Many businesses will hold conferences there, taking advantage of the lower airfare and bulk discounts for lodging. However, the costs can really add up if you are not careful. Here are some ways to avoid spending too much when you visit.
Take a Day TripWe live in the northern Piedmont area of North Carolina. On a day trip, we can go to the mountains or the beach and have a great time and be back home before bedtime.
Clips To Hold Straps In SuitcaseIt drives me nuts when the straps that hold your clothing gets down under the clothes that you've already packed in your suitcase. Now I always clip the strap to hold them up until I have everything packed in there now. Makes it much easier and saves time when packing a suitcase.
Shenandoah National Park WebcamEvery morning, I get on the computer and go through my favorites. This web cam, located in Shanandoah National Park in Virginia, is one my favorites. There is only one view and I don't know how often it takes a picture during the day but I was able to copy and paste this photo on January 14 at noon.
My To Go List for TravelingOver 20 years ago, we were expecting our first grandchild. I had made a list of everything I would need to take for this trip, preparing to stay a week and help out and of course give my motherly advice to this new mom.
Remove Home Address From LuggageIf you have your home address written on your luggage tag, it's best to remove it. It's become more common these days that criminals are stashing illegal items in people's luggage, then keeping the home addresses in order to retrieve those items later.
Reducing Phone Bill When Traveling Out of the CountryIn my previous trips, I paid $10 per day to use my phone. This time, the representative told me that if I had my iPhone in airplane mode and I was connected to WiFi, I could text anyone else who had an iPhone, use FaceTime and the Internet for free. The only time I would activate the plan is if I made a phone call or was not in airplane mode.
Pack Buffet Food on Last Day of VacationThis tip is something we do when we are catching a flight home and don't have much time to eat before heading to the airport. Airport food is expensive as we all know, and even more expensive on flights.
Recommended Times to Arrive at AirportsDifferent airports have different recommended arrival times for both domestic and international flights. I recently found this out when I arrived to a flight 60 minutes before departure time and they sticker-tagged my checked suitcase "LATE" and told me there's a chance it would not make it on the plane.
Save Samples for TravelingMany companies give out generous samples, which I use when I travel. They meet TSA guidelines. I bring shampoo, hair gel, lotions, conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash and detergent for hand-washing. It saves a lot of room going, and even more coming home, since most of the products are used up in a week.
Buy Senior Pass to National Parks Before August 28If you are 62 or older, please take advantage of this. Senior lifetime passes are going up from $10 to $80 on August 28. You are better off going to the park in person, but you can also do it online, for a fee of $10. You need some form of identification with your birth date and picture.
Visit World Heritage Sites When TravelingI had the opportunity to visit Viet Nam a couple of years ago and I saw some amazing places. I was surprised to later realize that I had already visited a few World Heritage Sites during my visit.
Use Hair Dryer to Remove Wrinkles in ClothesJust hang your crumpled shirt, spray it with water and start blowing it with your hair blower! This is for an emergency situation, especially if you are going to a special occasion, like a wedding. So now there's no need to worry if you carry a wrinkled shirt.
How To Get A Cheaper Hotel RateFinding an affordable hotel room can be a hassle, but with these tips it can be much easier. This post will focus on IHG hotels, as I work for an IHG brand hotel but most tips should work in general.
Request Check for Airline OverbookingIf you are ever in a situation where you are involuntarily bumped from a flight, be aware that it is U.S. federal law that the airline compensate you with a check instead of a voucher, if that is your wish.
Free Admission for National ParksThe U.S. National Park Service will celebrate its 100th birthday on August 25th and admission for visiting over 400 parks will be waived. The Washington State park system is also waiving fees this weekend so be sure to check with the parks in your area.
Hide Cash While TravelingIf you don't want to carry a purse or wallet, at the beach or even vacationing, roll up some cash and slip into a clean Chapstick type container. Then slip into your bag or pocket. You'll have easy money on you and no one will be the wiser! I also leave one in my car, just in case I need it!
Emergency Bag for Car TripsEvery time my friend and I go on a trip in her car, we need something and don't have it. So today, I made a kit for all the stuff we have needed. It doesn't have everything, but it does have the things we have needed over the last few trips.
Air Travel OrganizerMy Dad was a commercial pilot who first started flying during WWII. One very small tip he showed me has helped me in flight even as a young child, and still I use it today.
Natural Mementos from VacationsRather then buy useless trinkets while on vacation, I collect pods, seeds, shells, rocks or plants from tropical vacations and afterward like to display them at home as a natural and one of a kind reminder of my trip!
Booking a Hotel Through a Third PartyWe recently did our annual summer driving trip. I made all of our hotel reservations through Travelocity. On our last night of the trip, the hotel we stayed at had major cleanliness issues.
Buying Gas on a Road TripOn our most recent road trip we were thankful to find that gas was much cheaper than at home. However, I still wanted to get the best deal I could find. In many towns, driving just a block or two into town saved as as much as $0.40/gal!
Suspend Utilities while TravelingIf you know you are going to be away for more than two months, suspend your cable TV and internet. It will only cost $5 or $10 a month to do this, so you save a lot of money.
Bring Night Light when TravelingWhen you are traveling and stay in motels, take a cheap night light along to plug in at night. Then you can find your way to the bathroom without stubbing your toe.
Vacation Packing Food For a CottageWe vacation in a cottage. I try to conserve on space when packing things into our compact car. Also, we try to be frugal by bringing from home as much as we can to save on grocery shopping. Prices are too high in vacation areas.
Remodeling Your Older MotorhomeWe have an older motorhome, and were thinking of upgrading. The bedroom is NOT a good layout for arthritic older folks with bad backs. The cost and effort of selling ours or trading for a new new one, then MOVING IN was just too much for me to do.
Remembering What to Take on VacationI hate having to remember everything that we have to take on vacation! So, my best tip is to go thru my daily routine in my head all the way thru till bedtime and make a list.
Take A Plug Extension When TravelingHotel rooms and holiday chalets often have very few plug points, one or two if you're lucky. So pack with you a plug extension before travelling. You might need one for your laptop, one for the phone charger, one for the hair dryer, etc.
Clear Browser for Cheaper Online Airline TicketsMany travel websites track your activity and see how many times you've been on their page. Clearing your web browser's cookies and cache can help you score cheaper air travel online, making it look like it's your first visit to their site.
Credit Cards on VacationCall your credit card company before you leave. Let them know where you're headed and what kind of purchases you are likely to be making outside your normal spending pattern.
Have Recipes Will TravelI live in a foreign country and also love to cook. So, when I visit my family in the states, I usually say from 2-4 weeks and because airline tickets are expensive, I try to stay a decent amount of time.
Car Baseball For Road TripsWhen traveling long distance with children, keep them entertained by playing car baseball and the ride will go smooth.
Manicure Kit for TravelingTurn an old glasses case that has been sitting in the back of that drawer into a great little manicure kit for traveling. It will even hold a miniature polish, just make sure the top is secure before putting the kit into your luggage or purse.
Costco Disneyland DealCostco sells a Southern California city pass. It gives you admission to several Southern California attractions, including Disneyland.
Inflatable Arm-Band for Packing Fragile ItemsPacking for a holiday? Use an inflatable arm-band to transport delicate items like perfume bottles or when you are bringing home some vino in your suitcase!
Avoid Leaking Containers in LuggageWhile going on vacation this year, instead of putting shampoo, conditioner, etc. in zip bags to prevent products from leaking in suitcase, just take the lid off and put a piece of Handi Wrap or Saran Wrap over the bottle opening.
Planning Ahead For Traveling With ChildrenRecently we took a rather long road trip. It was a learning experience for us all! I did manage to do a few things to make the trip easier.
Keeping Cool in the CarKeep cool in the car with homemade air conditioning. Use a wet towel, wrung out, around your shoulders and neck to stay cool.
"Work" Your VacationMany camp grounds/state parks/national parks will have camp ground "hosts". The "hosts" work a set amount of hours a day, anywhere from 4-8 at the gate booth in exchange for free camping.
Buy Healthy Snacks When TravelingI sometimes travel for work and must stay at a hotel (and eat out). One of the first things I do is stop at the market and pick up some fruit and baby carrots so that I have healthy snacks for between meals to help offset the splurging.
Pack Makeup and Toiletries Before TravelingTo avoid forgetting something essential for your trip, pack your toiletries and makeup in a makeup case a couple days ahead of your departure. Use your packed items daily up until the time you leave.
Useful Bandanas When CampingPack a few with your camping gear, bandanas can be used for napkins. They also come in handy to wash dishes or to wrap a cut or a sprain.
Take Your GPS Unit on VacationIf you are renting a car while on vacation, you will almost always be asked by the rental agency if you wish to rent a navigation unit, or a GPS. While it is tempting to take that offer, that will often cost about 5 or 6 dollars a day, which is pricey.
Pack Outfits in Ziploc BagsFor each day you'll be away, pack a full set of clothes: top, pants, underwear, socks in a zippy bag. This keeps your suitcase neat, and it avoids the hassle of digging through clothes at your destination, or even deciding what to wear!
Tell People When and Where You Are TravelingI just returned from visiting my mom in Arizona, the same day the story hit the news about the 76 year old diabetic man who survived 10 days in Nevada when he and his friend got stuck. His friend wasn't so lucky when he tried to walk for help.
Gas And Travel Food At CostcoWe researched which Costco stores on I-5 sell gas and planned to fill up there whenever possible. We also were able to stop and get an inexpensive lunch of hot dogs or pizza while we were there. It saved us time and money.
Save Brochures For Vacation ScrapbookingWhen you go on a vacation, be sure to collect any informational flyers, brochures or postcards about the places you visit. This is an easy way to display a schedule of events, amenities or background information on your scrapbooking page.
Check Prices Directly With HotelCall both the hotel directly as well as their 800 number after checking rates online. I got a cheaper rate at a LaQuinta in Austin by calling their reservation 800 number.
Costco for Refueling on Road TripsOn a recent road trip to Los Angeles, we mapped out beforehand where there were Costcos near the freeway. That way we could refuel our van and ourselves at the same time.
Take Advantage Of Entire Night's StayBy checking in later in the day, you lose money. Most venues require you check out by 11am but you can check in by 2pm. That means you pay for a stay of 21 hours in just about every hotel/motel you stay in.
Store Toiletries In A Bottle BagWhen traveling, I use a bottle carrier fabric bag I bought at Target in the $1 section. I use it to carry my hair products, creams, deodorant, sunscreens, etc. Everything is tidy and organized together for myself and the kids.
Travel: Oxymoron (Cappadocia, Turkey)Several years ago, my boyfriend and I explored and hot air ballooned in Cappadocia. This area in Central Turkey is best known for its unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in rocks.
Master List for TravelHave you ever left on a trip only to realize you left one or more essential items at home? Depending what is forgotten, it can possibly ruin a long planned for vacation. Here's how I make sure I never forget anything.
Eat Meals Outside Theme ParksNever eat meals inside the parks, if you can help it. When my husband and I honeymooned at Disneyland, we found a great buffet restaurant just outside the park. We would just walk out of the park and across the street for our meals. It saved money for other fun stuff.
Wear Sports Coat When FlyingWhenever he flies overseas, my boyfriend wears a nice shirt and sports jacket. He does this so he doesn't have to pack them, but also because he occasionally gets bumped up to first class seemingly due to his clean cut looks and attire.
US Map Puzzle to Mark Your TravelsI recently made a trek from Oregon to Illinois, then drove from there to Virginia and back to Oregon. When I got back, I got to thinking of where I have lived and traveled, and it turns out to be over half the United States!
Swap Pet Sitting For VacationsTo save on pet boarding costs, and to be sure our pets are safe and well cared for, my mother and I care for each others' pets. Our dogs get to play with their best friends and we all have a relaxing vacation, knowing we don't have to worry about our babies!
Bring Food When You TravelI have food allergies, so even when I am not traveling, I must be careful with what I eat. I like to take some food with me, because I may not be able to find anything I can eat in an airport or bus station.
Know The Rules Of The Road When You TravelWhile planning your road trip vacation, don't forget to check the rules of the road, especially out of your province or state. For example, in Canada, cell phone use is banned while driving in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Pack An Overnight Bag With Your LuggageWhen making a trip and you need to stop for one night, pack a overnight bag with the things you will need that night. Also, pack one set of clean clothes for the next day for self and other family members. I also include basic toiletries.
Stay At Time Shares Or Rental HomesMy tip for saving at Disney is to always stay at a timeshare rental. For about the same cost as a hotel room, you will have a condo or house with bedrooms, bathrooms, living/dining area and full kitchen.
Tips For Saving At DisneylandWe took our two oldest grand daughters to Disneyland a little over a year ago. It was a dream come true. We stayed at a resort a couple miles away. They had a shuttle that ran to all the parks every day.
Saving Money to Go on VacationIt's hard in any budget to save money, even if you make what is considered a good income, there seems to never be enough. Nothing is left over, especially for vacation. It's the time in all our lives when we have to make exceptions and get crafty without thinking day to day.
Put a Photo of Your Destination in Your WalletAcquire a photo of your destination vacation spot and reduce the photo so that it fits in your wallet. Place it where you can see it each time you reach for your cash, credit card or check to make a purchase.
Make Iced Tea When TravelingIn the evening, after the day's events are over, I make hot water in the coffee pot, then steep a hotel tea bag in a tall hotel cup, sweetened with hotel sugar or sweetener.
Keep Bottles From Leaking in LuggageTo keep your bottles of makeup, lotions, and shampoo from leaking all over your clothes and suitcase, place some cotton in the cap before closing. This will keep it from leaking out!
Lighten the LoadWhen traveling, take all of your older underwear. As you wear them, throw them away, thus allowing for room in your suitcase for the souvenirs.
Frozen Drinks for FlyingI flew recently out of the country and had a few bottles of thirst quencher with me. I had decided to freeze two of them, and these were the only ones that made it though the security screening.
Clothespin To Close Hotel CurtainsSummer is almost here! Many people will be traveling and taking vacations. If you're like me, you always end up with the hotel room that has the gaping curtain that won't close all the way no matter what you do!
Review: TripAdvisor.comLove to travel and stay at the finest hotels at the best value? My favorite website is TripAdvisor.com. You can search by luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, motels, etc.
Make Your Own Toilet Seat ProtectorsRecently, I took a trip to New York City. One of my main concerns was public bathrooms and their cleanliness. Besides a small bottle of hand sanitizer, I carried my own toilet seat covers.
Store Vacation Memory Card Away From CameraWhen you are on vacation, taking pictures of family/friends or just scenery you want to save, remove the memory card from your camera when going through the airport security check points and put it in your purse.
Use Fish Scale To Weigh LuggageUse a fish weight scale (has a hook and gauge) to weigh your luggage before a plane trip to be sure that your bags aren't over the weight limit!
Fedex Your LuggageMost airlines are charging for luggage. I have been shipping my things Fedex that is picked up at my door, and at my destination when I arrive.
Use Up Disney World Meal PlanJust returned from a trip to Disney World with my family. We stayed on the property and were able to take advantage of the meal plan, which seems expensive at first but is a money saver.
Expandable Ice Chest for Carry On LuggageWhen traveling consider a cooler/ ice chest on wheels with the expandable handle as your carry on luggage at the airport. When you arrive at your destination, you also have a cooler at your disposal.
Prescription Bottles for Travel Size ToiletriesInstead of buying travel sized bottles of shampoo and other things, at our house we used old prescription medicine bottles. They ones with the kid proof lid from Walgreen's can hold liquids without leaking. It saves a lot of money and helps the environment too.
Tips For Traveling Cross Country By TrainI wanted to share a few things I learned if you find yourself traveling over several days. Take music, a book, a moshy pillow, a donut if don't want a comatose bottom, and your own food if you are thrifty or just broke like me.
Dog Waste Bags for Female Personal Hygiene ProductsI discovered that those small poop/waste bags for dogs make perfect bags to dispose of used sanitary pads or plastic tampons. Definitely handy while traveling.
Make Photo Luggage TagsHere's a great tip to help stop luggage theft: Before you fly on an airline make a photo luggage tag. Simply print a picture of yourself, then on the other side print out your home address, cell phone and the address where you're flying to.
Check Your Hotel BillUpon checking out of our hotel I noticed that they had charged us $1.50 plus tax a day for use of the safe in our room. I told the clerk that we had never used the safe ...
Reuse Small Button Bags to Sort Jewelry When TravelingWhen buying a blouse, you often receive an extra button in a small plastic bag. I save all my buttons in a jar and use the little plastic bags to separate my jewelry when I travel.
Carry an Empty Water Bottle Through Airport SecuritySince we are not allowed to bring liquids on the plane, when I travel I carry an empty water bottle. After passing through security, I fill the bottle with water from the fountain, therefore, I have water to drink on the plane.
Matchbox Traveling Sewing KitA matchbox is the perfect size for a travel sewing kit. It can hold the essentials like needles, thread, buttons and a few safety pins. You can decorate it using scrapbook paper.
Use Pillowcases for Dirty Clothes When TravelingCarry two pillow cases with you when you travel. Use the first to put your dirty clothes in (assuming you don't have access to a Laundromat) and place the second pillow case (if you're in a hurry) between your dirty clothes from the night before and your clean clothes.
Weather Planning for VacationWhen planning a vacation, be aware of your destinations weather and temperatures. Some folks who come to Las Vegas, NV, think just because they're coming to "the desert", that it's going to be warm.
Place Denture Tablet in Plastic Bag For TravelingThis helps when I travel. I have dentures and found a way to not pack my soaking tub. In a sandwich zip style plastic bag, I place one denture tablet and sufficient water to cover dentures for soaking while traveling.
Using Storage Bins for TravelingYou know those storage bins that you buy with the lock on lids? Well when they are not in "use" and it is time to go on vacation, use them as your suitcase.
Finding Your Luggage When TravelingMaking your luggage easy to identify quickly saves time at the airline baggage carousel. I use a brightly coloured tape available at art or office supply stores, and create an 8 inch tall initial and stick it to my luggage.
"Bring Back" Souvenirs Purchased At HomeWhen going on a trip without your children, purchase gifts at home where you're familiar with the stores before you go so you can "bring" back "souvenirs" you know they'll enjoy. We have found that not only is it less expensive, but it is also frees you up from spending vacation time trying to find somewhere to find something the children will enjoy.
Think Ahead and Save Money on VacationBefore you go on a vacation where your family will be spending time at the beach, first go to a $1 store and buy several blow up "air-rafts" and some water float toys like "noodles" and also some styrofoam or blow-up water ring "intertubes" and "boogie-boards".
Make Car Travel Fun for Kids with Surprise ToysBefore starting any vacation or car-travel, go to a good $1 store and pick out 5 small quiet toys for each child. Then give these to them one at a time throughout the trip instead off buying trinkets at each stop along the way. This will not only keep your children occupied, but will save you all kinds of money. You can even use these toys as "bribery", as in "If you keep your voices down and don't fight with your sister for the next hour, I have a new toy for you.
Traveling FrugallyWhen traveling to your destination, where ever it might be: Do lots of research before going, easy to do on internet. . .
Take a "Go/Weekend/Travel" Toiletry BagIf you're known to often just take off for a few days at the last minute but are not organized, this is a really cool bag to have on hand ready to go. Has all the basics. Beats shuffling around your things to put this all together at the last minute.
Buy Vacation Gifts At Regular StoresWhen traveling, on vacation etc, Don't buy from the gift shop. Check out department stores, dollar stores, Walgreens etc. One can find a large variety of small gift items with the name of the location at very good prices. Just takes a little looking.
Better Vacation PlanningThe time is near to start planning this year's summer vacation. There are some great ways to save on trips such as airfare and pre-season hotel rates, yet there are some things that are worth the extra expense.
Saving Money for Your Favorite Vacation SpotMy husband, son and I love to take a yearly weekend trip to Door County, WI. The last time we went, we were (as usual) on a tight budget. While we had fun, we got low on money a day or so before we went home, so we didn't get to go do or see some of the things we wanted to because of a lack of money.
Use Zip Ties to Secure LuggageLuggage locks are usually cut off at the airports. I use plastic zip ties where the locks go. If they are cut off, then you know someone was in your luggage. Cheaper then a replacing a cut off lock. Works great.
Use Decal or Paint a Picture to Mark LuggageTo spot your luggage easier at the airport when it comes on the conveyor belt, use a decal and paint a picture on the back of your suit case. You will be able to spot it easier then using ribbons. Works great and you never need to redo this.
Leave Your Car at an Airport HotelWhen traveling, consider staying at a hotel close to the airport and taking the hotel's shuttle bus to and from, leaving your car at the hotel (most have these accommodations, just inquire about it).
Buy Sandwiches or Snacks Before You Get to the AirportI've really found that it's better to buy any sandwiches or snacks you might want to eat on the plane, on the way to the airport, if you don't make them at home. It's easier on your wallet than to purchase them in the airport restaurants or vendors.
