The new year has finally arrived and we hope that it finds everyone healthy and happy. Start the new year off right and keep more of your money in your pocket when you travel! Contrary to popular belief, a great vacation can actually be affordable! Save on accommodations by taking advantage of our great rates across the world from Puerto Vallarta, to Sedona, Orlando, and all the way to Williamsburg and beyond! The vacation of your dreams is possible with us! There are countless easy ways to cut costs without taking away from your dream vacation! We always want you to get the most out of your vacation just like your wallet! With these simple tips you can cut costs and still have the perfect vacation.

Here’s a quick look at what we suggest. Read the rest of the article to find out more!

• Book your accommodations through our certified travel agents
• Have flexible travel dates
• Avoid ATM and Debit fees by using traveler’s checks
• Use coupons everywhere you can!
• Make a packing list and double check it
• Rent a car
• Eat well, rather than quickly!

First and foremost, book your accommodations through our certified travel agents. As an added service to all of our customers, our certified travel agents will search for your dream vacation for you, saving you the trouble and getting you the best deal at the same time! Not only will you get a great deal on your accommodations, you’ll get a lot more value, too! Vacation rentals are much more comfortable and full featured when compared to the average hotel rooms. You’ll enjoy added space, amenities, and especially comfort!

You can also save money by having flexible travel dates, since there are certain times of the year during peak season when rates are at their highest. Spring and summer are always very popular travel seasons for most destinations, so book early in order to get the best available rentals!

Another simple tip is to avoid ATM and Debit fees by using traveler’s checks. Domestically, using a debit card is usually a good idea, but when abroad you are usually charged a fee for every transaction made in a foreign currency. It’s usually around 1% of each transaction, but who wants to pay it if you don’t really have to? With traveler’s checks you have added security when abroad as well as being free of ATM and debit fees! Traveler’s checks can be quickly converted into cash, which is essential for little things such as vending machines, tips, etc.

Use coupons everywhere you can! It’s worth it to hunt down one of those big books of coupons for the area you’re heading to. You can most likely find one for your destination here! After a few dinners and a day at the amusement park you’ll be happy you spent the $30 on the coupon book; it will most likely end up saving you a lot more than you paid for it! Also, when in areas with large attractions such as Busch Gardens and Disney, there are always coupons offered through restaurants, local promotions, and even in the newspaper. These could end up saving you a lot! If you’re military, check out the military appreciation promotions for local attractions as well. There are certain dates where you can get free tickets for your families! There are also a lot of restaurants, attractions, and other establishments that offer unposted discounts to members of groups such as AARP and AAA, so be sure to ask. You can even get marked down gift certificates valued at $25 for only $10 from sites like Restaurant.com! Don’t feel like a cheapskate when you use coupons either. They are there for you to use them, so do it!

An extremely simple way to save from extra costs is to make a packing list and double check it. There’s nothing more annoying than forgetting your toothpaste or special salon shampoo and having to go out and spend $15 on another bottle when you shouldn’t have to. You’ll save yourself some time and maybe even a headache or two!

While vacationing at some destinations it may be advantageous to rent a car. The cost of airport shuttles, taxi rides, and general transportation costs can far outweigh the costs of renting a car for a few days. This also affords you the luxury of having more flexibility and control over your vacation. Make sure you have taken into account the cost of parking the car at certain places like theme parks and tourist areas before committing to renting a car, though. Rent only if you have carefully weighed the costs with the benefits!

It’s needless to say that you’re going to want snacks and meals on the go at some point. You’ll most definitely get the most for your money at the local grocery stores rather than going to the nearest convenience store to pick up the food that you need. Usually everything at convenience stores and fast food restaurants is extremely overpriced and undernourishing. Many of our vacation rentals feature fully equipped kitchens, allowing you to have the choice of eating in, saving you even more money! Take our advice and eat well, rather than quickly!

We’ll do our part to get you the best deal on the vacation of your dreams, but we’re sure these tips will help you get the most out of each and every dollar you spend! Keep your eyes peeled for more travel tips and news in the coming year.