"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry,
laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." Maya Angelou
The Travel Dilemma And Decisions
Questions you may ask yourself:
- Where and when to go?
- Where to stay?
- How to get there?
- What will it cost me?
Traveling is both exciting and exhilarating. It appeals to the majority of us for various reasons. It all seems to stem from somewhere deep within our human make-up. We are social and curious beings. Our earlier nomadic traditions and heritage, urge us to explore and conquer our world, both known and unknown. It has always been a quest and inspiration to go somewhere we have not been before and see places unseen until now.
The travel dilemma most of us face is simply when and where to take our next trip or vacation for leisure purposes. We will look briefly at a couple of money-saving tips that will help us answer a couple of key questions: How do I pick a travel destination and when can/is it best to take my annual vacation? or Can I fit in a couple of short trips this year and where would I go?
Actually making the decision about where to go and when to travel is the easy part. It does not matter if we are traveling as sun or adventure seekers, to see family or people we know at a certain location or country, attend a spectacular or special event, visiting an exotic destination or just simply looking for peace and quiet.
The best time to start planning your trip is when the impulse hits you! Send away for information right away. Contact the local state and National tourist offices and check online, to learn more about your destination of choice.
Plan your trip so everyone has fun and budget for it accordingly! Think child-centered activities or a personal interest indulgence. Save money by deciding early and balance the family interest. Avoid trying to fit in all the “touristy” must-sees that will add up in the end. Select a few of them you really cannot bear to miss and enjoy them together.
Ensure the details are taken care of, like how early or late the attraction is open, transportation to and from the location and be smart by wearing flat shoes and taking water along for in case the wait is longer than expected. Remember, everyone else will be eager to see what he or she came to see too. It might take a little longer at popular venues, so plan your itinerary accordingly.
Deciding the duration of your trip, how long and how you will travel, are all-important considerations. The sooner and earlier you plan and budget, the better prepared and more informed you would be. “The early bird catches the worm”, we always say, and, “First come, First serve”.
You can save a lot of money by booking early and taking advantages of special offers, seat sales and more. Scout for good deals. Watch out and avoid deals that sound too good to be true (they normally are!). Do not get caught by ill-reputed providers and travel-scams. Always read the fine print!
Beware of other details like, what time of year you choose to travel, what the weather will be like, the impact of seasonal traveling, public or special holidays and more. Be smart and budget for the unexpected, delays, unplanned extended stays, inevitable layovers and more. Show some resilience, positive attitude and utilize your financial resourcefulness to make the most of your trips, regardless of what life and fate throws at you!
Early on, while in planning and information gathering mode, consulting with a travel agent, professional specialist, tap into their expertise and experience. They can easily provide current information, industry updates, possibilities and pricing, availability, plan and book vacations; find you big discounts and special deals.
They will also be able to point out details that would otherwise remain hidden and unconsidered like new resorts, airport construction updates and hang-ups. Some can be extremely resourceful, patient and imaginative and want to provide you with the best travel and customer service options and solutions that are right for you.
They mostly work on a commission basis though, so just ensure that this is the best deal for YOU and not their pocketbook alone! Save money by asking many questions and pose the question about discounts. If you do not ask, they will not necessarily offer the cheapest option or hunt for better deals!
When deciding to travel as a single individual or a couple, double rooms in a hotel are mostly cheaper than a single room. Consider sharing, but choose and weigh your travel partner(s) wisely!
Ensure that you are financially independent of one another and that all parties are responsible with money and will not come running to you expecting to help. Clarify needs and wants and highlight some mutual respect for these.
Ask the question of whether personal habits are compatible. How would they react in crisis-mode? These factors are handy to know in advance, in order to prepare you for anything. Save money by protecting your financial interests. Avoid others taking advantage of you, and you, ending up paying for mostly everything and sponsoring extravagant spenders. The onus is on you to ensure you take care of every detail.
This would include who and how you will pay for what. Discuss and stipulate it literally to ensure all parties are informed. Then clarify and agree on it. Be smart and act early to sort out any differences and avoid conflict and disagreement. Schedule regular time apart and pool some of your money into a ‘kitty’ to pay for outings and entertainment.
Guidebook-like informational tools should not dictate your trip. They describe, should not prescribe! Some might have set itineraries and must sees that do not interest you necessarily and might be costly if you choose to follow it to a tee. Their pricing options might also be out-of-date, so check their accuracy. They are good and useful for pricing options and ranges that again are useful in the travel budgeting process and list numerous lodging options across the spectrum. This highlights choice and empowered decision making.
Another consideration is Ecotourism. Consider carriers and travel providers that advocate and practice sustainable, safer and environmentally friendly options for travel. It has less impact on the environment and does not disrupt the local economy. On the contrary, it utilizes supports and optimizes it!
It is all still about making the most of your trip and seeing any and all that you want to, experience and enjoy your travel and quest. Stroll, walk, take it easy on your first day and do not try to fit everything into 24 hours! In short: Go somewhere! Go anywhere! But — do Go!
Travel logistics: trips, bookings and travel details:
- Destination, location, type and duration of trip
- Means of getting to and from, airfare
- Ground-transportation while on the trip
- Accommodation, Meals and special events
When considering a trip or planning any kind of travel, it is important to plan for the unexpected and consider the financial side of things early on. This ensures affordability, liquidity and having the resources to enjoy it to the fullest!
Budget Travel Tips focuses on this aspect in more detail.
When budgeting, plan for the worst-case scenario money wise. Prepare for things to cost a little more than you expected. Keep and eye on the exchange rate (if applicable). Allow up to 20% increase in cost to be on the safe side of things.
It is extremely easy these days to have access to your financial resources through ATM’s and credit cards. Just remember that it is just as easy to overspend because of it being so readily available. A little discipline will go a long way to protect your financial interest and help you stick to your travel budget.
Set some spending priorities and criteria in advance, like eating well, even if this means sacrificing a bit on lodgings or visa versa, depending on what is more important to you. Think about value and cost in the local currency as opposed to converting all the time to your home-currency and comparing and weighing prices that way.
Carrying some spare cash somewhere can be a lifesaver. The rule of thumb seems to be around $50- $100 US equivalent, in small bills. This can be used for incidentals, ground-transportation like cab fare and/or your return home, tips and more.
When considering when, where, how, for how long and what type of vacation, trip or holiday venture to undertake, we all get caught up in the anticipation, excitement and exhilaration.
Sometimes we let the more important financial side of things slip a little. After all, for most of us, this only happens a couple of times in our lifetime or perhaps once a year. We tend to indulge and forget about our pocket book a little. However, some close attention to the financials now and during your trip, will save you lots of headaches and interest charges on your credit card balances later! You will thank yourself for your fiscal restraint and spending discipline, upfront planning, foresight and forward thinking!
There are many ways to save money, avoid unnecessary cost, ensure you take care of details end up a smart and perceptive traveler. We look at a couple of suggestions in this section offering some handy tips in handling the logistics of your trip, in effect optimizing traveling on a budget and making your travel dollar go further!
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