Over the River and Through the Woods...Frugal Holiday Travel Tips
So the holidays are officially HERE!! It can be such a great time to spend with family and friends…that is, if you can get to them! Travel can be one of the biggest expenses that a lot of us will face this holiday season!
We have compiled a few travel tips for you in hopes that it will help you save a little money and even some unnecessary frustration! Please note that most of these tips are geared towards driving!
Try to have a good attitude if you get stuck in traffic!
I am not so good at this one! You can not change the situation, so our advice is to make the most of it! Try playing some games; whether it is cards, mini travel games, or “the ABC game†as we like to call it! Make up your own rules and just have fun with it! A good attitude will go a long way, not only for you, but for those around you too. Plus you will be making memories with the ones you love.
Plan out your gas ahead of time
If you have internet on your phone, or before you leave, you can go to GasBuddy.com which will help you locate the cheapest gas stations along your route! Also try FuelEconomy.gov. Both of these websites will help you to make the most of your traveling budget on fuel. If you are a member of AAA, you can also use FuelCostCalculator.com to help estimate the cost of your trip!
Do a thorough check of your car
You do not want any “surprises†on your trip that were easily avoidable! Especially when those “surprises†tend to be expensive ones. Here are some examples:
- Make sure your tires are properly inflated. This will help with the gas mileage! If they are over inflated or under inflated it will make the car less efficient. Remember too that a lot of gas stations offer FREE air for your tires. Even if the machine says you need to insert money, we have found that most of the places we stop, all you have to do is go in to the cashier and ask them to turn it on for you!
- If you don't need those luggage racks on top of your car, remove them. They too will gradually eat away on your gas mileage! By making your vehicle more streamline it will help to make it more efficient.
- Get a Tune-Up/Oil Change. This too will help with the efficiency of your car.
Rest stops and gas stations right off of the highway are known for hiking up the prices of food and beverages because they know you need it! Pack your own snacks. We realize that this does take some planning, but it is well worth it if you are looking to slash your travel budget.
Pack your own magazines/activitie/entertainment
My sister and I save up all of our freebie magazine subscriptions for car rides! That way we can enjoy what we read for Free! If you have a new book or DVD (with a DVD player) you can read or play this for the family as well!
Travel at Night
Not everyone is able to do this, but if you can there is usually less traffic which means less frustration! You can keep your vehicle going at a steady speed which will also save your gas mileage! Getting stuck in traffic is one of the worst things for your gas! This tip can also help when flying or taking other modes of transportation. A lot of the “off†hours/days will provide better deals and cheaper prices. If at all possible, it is best to travel when everyone else isn’t.
Pack a First aid/Travel kit
We did a video on this one! The last thing that you want to do is make a pit-stop for some Advil or a band-aid. You know that when you do stop, (because you will) it will be way more expensive too! Often times we use free samples that we get in the mail, or items that we purchased on sale to stock our little travel kit. This has helped us out big time in the past. You may also want to have a Car Safety kit in your trunk, just in case you get stuck. This is a must do! Our motto is "be prepared, it’s cheaper"!
Kayak.com
If you need to stay overnight somewhere, use Kayak.com to find a hotel. We absolutely love this site! They always have so many great deals and you can even read all of the reviews about a particular hotel. They also offer travel packages as well as car rentals and flights. You can snag a lot of great deals through this site.
Have enough cash on you
If you have cash on you, you tend to not spend as much than if you were to use a Credit Card. For some reason when you use cash, you tend to see how much more money you are spending. You also do not want to have to be driving around looking for an ATM. When you are in an unfamiliar place, you never know when you will need to pay with CASH ONLY! A lot of times the ATM fees are outrageous! If you are traveling on Toll Roads, you must pay with cash too! If you are a member of AAA they will map your trip out for you with all of the tolls. If you are not a member, we recommend looking up the particular highways that you will be traveling on. You can get more information HERE
Remember to always plan ahead! That is the best tip that we can give you. If you are organized and your trip is planned out, chances are you will spend less money. Now there is always an occasional “pop-up†expense that cannot be avoided, but for the most part being prepared is cheaper! We hope that these tips help to keep you organized and save you money in your travels to see loved ones this holiday season!!
About the Author: Julie and Adele are two savvy sisters on a mission to save you money! Follow Julie and Adele on Twitter @CouponCentsSis.
Posted by Ryan on December 02, 2010 Tags: Travel Savings
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