Ready to pack your bags for Thanksgiving? Well, wait... how many bags?
I’ve learnt this the hard way. I consider myself an organized person (!) and used to carry multiple bags, which had everything I needed, and anything I would ever want during my vacation. But, I ended getting a porter everywhere, luggage carts, paying an overage on my baggage limit, as well as paying for oversize bags (you don't want to visit somwhere and not shop!).
So, ended up paying a lot of $$ for nothing. And now, with the airlines industry in a deep hole and being charged $15- $25 for checked bags, all the more reason to travel light!
A packing list helps a lot when it comes to traveling light. If you write down what you need, you can eliminate the extras, and enjoy your vacation more. When I went to Europe (not backpacking), it was very easy traveling from one country to another, getting on and off trains, keeping my bag under the seat, when all I had was one carry-on size bag, instead of the gigantic bags I was used to carrying.
Depending on your destination, get a clear and categorized list, and carry just enough to last your through your stay. There are several websites that can help you with packing lists (!), no seriously, you definitely need one, especially if you are traveling with a baby/kid.
How to pack
Most folks don’t think about this. Iron your clothes, or fold them flat, and you’ll be able to carry more clothes. Roll up your socks, night pyjamas, or anything that you can, and line them along the edges of the bag- that saves space. Flatten everything, roll press or sit on it, whatever, but just flatten it. You can carry more clothes this way. Again, there are websites that can help you. Ridiculous? well, not really.. not when it can save you some money!
If you are traveling with a child, chances are you will have to check a bag or two, because of the contents. And chances are your child’s bag will be bigger than yours! That’s fine, make most of the space available. Carry one bag instead of two, that is a $50 saving right there for a roundtrip.
Depending on your destination, restrict stuff like baby foods, diapers, and buy it where you stay. Carry plastic containers, instead of glass for baby food. Dump any extras in your child’s car-seat bag (we usually dump our jackets/ woolens in the bag- great volume reduction!)
Nov 6, 2009
Nov 2, 2009
Travel- Money Saving Tips
It has been a while I have posted. Been a little crazy with work, travel, and trick o’ treating with my toddler. Fun, but busy. I am back, and to add to the holiday and travel excitement, I am planning to introduce a new section to the blog- “deal of the week”, whenever I see an irresistable deal. So anything from airfare, to hotel, to vacation rental, a timeshare deal, this will be my 2 cents. So check it out.
With the holidays coming, I am sure a lot of you are planning a trip or two. Some may be wanting to use up your timeshare time or some of you might find better deal elsewhere, either way, traveling is always fun and a great learning experience. So, some posts on travel and travel money-saving tips, and then we’ll get back to the ever interesting world of timeshares.
And you know what could make traveling even more fun- if you could save some green $$, without having to compromise on your comfort. I am not a millionaire, and don’t plan to become one. So, a few hundred or a few thousand dollars saved, is a huge saving for me.
Money Saving tips- Tip #1 – Travel at non-peak time
Whether you own a timshare or not, a small change in travel time and a little planning could go a long way in saving you some $$. Different people have a different definition of peak and non-peak time. For me, peak is the entire week of the holiday, for example the sunday before thanksgiving holiday although the Sunday after thanksgiving, or the week before Christmas through New year. My recommendation- travel a week or two before or after the holiday week.
It might be hard for folks to get vacation etc, but plan accordingly, and plan way ahead of time. The worst thing you can do for your budget is to plan last minute and travel the week/ weekend of the holiday- that’s a killer. Yes, there are last minute deals out there, but you may not get what you want. If you are open to going anywhere, or just being home if you don’t find anything, last minute deals are a good option.
Traveling at non-peak times could save you tons of money, and long waiting times for shows/ rides, etc. like:
- Airfare and ridiculous extra charges by airlines
- hotels
- car rental
- show tickets
- pet boarding is available
Check out this sample airfare chart from Continental airlines checked on Nov 2, 2009. I just entered 2 random cities- airfare form Houston, TX to Newark, NJ. See the fare differences between Nov 18 ($268) and Nov 25 ($418). If you are a family of four, you save $600 right off the bat. That is a LOT of money!
With the holidays coming, I am sure a lot of you are planning a trip or two. Some may be wanting to use up your timeshare time or some of you might find better deal elsewhere, either way, traveling is always fun and a great learning experience. So, some posts on travel and travel money-saving tips, and then we’ll get back to the ever interesting world of timeshares.
And you know what could make traveling even more fun- if you could save some green $$, without having to compromise on your comfort. I am not a millionaire, and don’t plan to become one. So, a few hundred or a few thousand dollars saved, is a huge saving for me.
Money Saving tips- Tip #1 – Travel at non-peak time
Whether you own a timshare or not, a small change in travel time and a little planning could go a long way in saving you some $$. Different people have a different definition of peak and non-peak time. For me, peak is the entire week of the holiday, for example the sunday before thanksgiving holiday although the Sunday after thanksgiving, or the week before Christmas through New year. My recommendation- travel a week or two before or after the holiday week.
It might be hard for folks to get vacation etc, but plan accordingly, and plan way ahead of time. The worst thing you can do for your budget is to plan last minute and travel the week/ weekend of the holiday- that’s a killer. Yes, there are last minute deals out there, but you may not get what you want. If you are open to going anywhere, or just being home if you don’t find anything, last minute deals are a good option.
Traveling at non-peak times could save you tons of money, and long waiting times for shows/ rides, etc. like:
- Airfare and ridiculous extra charges by airlines
- hotels
- car rental
- show tickets
- pet boarding is available
Check out this sample airfare chart from Continental airlines checked on Nov 2, 2009. I just entered 2 random cities- airfare form Houston, TX to Newark, NJ. See the fare differences between Nov 18 ($268) and Nov 25 ($418). If you are a family of four, you save $600 right off the bat. That is a LOT of money!
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