The typical family plans their vacation by…

1. Deciding where they want to go.
2. Searching for the best deals.

Maybe it’s time to reverse that thinking, maybe it’s time to find a deal first and a destination second.

When it comes to searching for deals, the traditional travel sites are a good starting point, but try a few of these unconventional money saving travel deals like Groupon Getaways, discounted gift cards and cash back for travel!

Groupon’s Travel Deals – The destinations are always changing, but the deals are always amazing…just remember to read the fine print! You can always find the latest deals on the right side of this page, and here are a few of this week’s best!

Groupon: From $139 for West Sonoma Inn & Spa with Champagne and Winery Passes

Groupon: From $99 for Olde Marco Inn & Suites Marco Island, FL

Groupon: from $399 for Hope Lake Lodge and Conference Center in Finger Lakes, NY

Groupon: from $605 for Grand Oasis Viva, Cancun Mexico

10% off American Airlines Gift Cards – If you’re planning on flying American, why not save 10%! Buy a discounted gift card to use for your purchases.PlasticJungle.com always has discounted gift cards available for travel, restaurants, shopping and more…just check their site often because the inventory changes daily.

8% off Hyatt Gift Cards – Another great gift card deal! Discounted gift cards are what I call no-brainer instant savings! See how much you can save at PlasticJungle.com

Hotel Rebate – Hotel Rebate – Save between $20 and $100 on all Hotel Bookings Now with Hotels.com!

Hotels.com weekly last minute deal: San Francisco as low as $76! Book by 4/1 Travel by 4/30 – Hotels.com weekly last minute deal: San Francisco as low as $76! Book by 4/1 Travel by 4/30

Earn Cash Back - Have you ever thought about earning Cash Back for your travel? Ebates.com gives you cash back on all your purchases, and they work with most of the popular hotel, airline and rental car companies. Ebates will also give you coupon codes to save even more on your purchase! Example: Orbitz up to 5.25% cash back, Expedia 5% cash back, Travelocity 5%, Holiday Inn 4.5% cash back, Comfort Inn 3.5% cash back, Dollar Rent-a-Car 3.5% cash back, Sea World 2.5% cash back, Southwest Airlines Vacations 2% cash back! How does it work? Let’s use Holiday Inn as an example. The first step is to go to Ebates.com. Next, in the search box on the top, right side enter Holiday Inn. A page will come up that shows you how much cash back you’ll earn as well as any special promotions or coupon codes that are currently available. Finally, click the “shop now” button, and you’ll be taken directly to the Holiday Inn site. Whatever you end up spending with Holiday Inn, you’ll earn 4.5% of that back from Ebates. Quarterly, Ebates mails you a BIG FAT CHECK for all your cash back!

Bed & Breakfast Gift Card – Free $10 B&B Gift Card with Every $50 Spent!

Remember, deal first…destination second!

Stop dreaming, start traveling!

Twitter’s abuzz with vacation ideas for spring break and summer vacations to the beach, mountains and big city. People plunge headlong into planning trips, scheduling hotels and making plans. Sadly, many spend on vacation and think about the cost later. When the credit card bill arrives, they realize they overspent and wonder how to pay for it all. Debt does not have to be part of the vacation equation, though. With just a bit of planning, that horrible hit to the pocketbook could be avoided.

The cost of a weeklong vacation averages somewhere between $3,000-$5,000. Without a savings plan, most of us don’t have that kind of money ready to spend. One option is to pay by credit card and deal with the debt later. Did you realize that a $3,000 vacation, paid entirely on a credit card at 15% interest would end up costing almost $3,800 if paid off in three years. Instead of paying that $800 to the credit card company, why not plan ahead for this year’s vacation and use that money for you instead of the big banks?

Maybe I’ve convinced you, but you’re not sure how to save. Here are three simple ways your family can save for vacation, using your hard-earned money for you instead of giving it to the banks. Ready?

Vacation Savings Plan:

1. Set aside a minimum of $50 from every paycheck for your summer vacation fund. If you get paid twice a month, that means a savings of $100 each month toward vacation. Of course, it requires a bit of self-discipline to live on $50 less per paycheck. Resist the urge to buy that great-looking blouse just because it’s on sale. Remind yourself instead that the money you would spend on the blouse is going instead toward an investment in your family. Ask yourself if the kids really need another cute little hair bow, or that sweet little teddy bear. Resisting impulse purchases is one of the easiest ways to create that $50 margin each paycheck. In just six months, that’s $600.

2. Skip the coffee drive-through. Television shows and movies glamorize gourmet coffee, but it’s not necessary to survival. I promise! Skip the fancy coffee for six months .At a cost of $3/cup (which is low), you would save $15 per week. Over six months that’s a savings of $360!

3. Eat out half as often. The average American family eats out four times per week. At a conservative $25 per meal, that’s $100 per week spent on restaurant fare. Making a simple adjustment to eat at home using semi-prepared foods such as preformed hamburger patties, rotisserie chicken from the deli or heat and eat frozen meals, you can cut that spending significantly. A family can easily dine at home for $10, saving a minimum of $15 over that restaurant fare. In six months, that adds up to $720 in savings.

These three savings techniques can lead to at least $1,680 saved by this summer. That’s more than half your vacation paid in cash, not on a credit card. That also means you get ahead toward the future. There’s no doubt about it, vacation begins with “B” for budget!

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written by: Karen Dawkins

Today’s post was written by Karen Dawkins at Family Travels on a Budget. Besides planning great value vacations for her family, she enjoys cooking, playing games and walking her dog, Daisy. Karen’s vacation ideas have been featured in Woman’s Day Magazine and the Homeschool Handbook as well as on several different websites. Read more of her great ideas on her website and add to the vacation conversation on Facebook.

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Image courtesy of chrisroll / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So you want to take the spouse and kids on a fun-filled family vacation? Sure, it may take a lot of planning – but you don’t have to take out a second mortgage on your house to afford it. There are plenty of ways that you can cut corners on costs with reducing the quality of your trip. Here are ten suggestions:

1. Make your reservations early. Not only does this give you something to look forward to, but you may also get better rates on hotel rooms and rental cars. Plus, you may be able to pay off some of your vacation credit card bills before you actually take off on your trip!
2. Sign up for an airfare tracking/updating website. Kayak, Airfare Watchdog, and similar sites let you enter in your destination and travel dates. Then they’ll send you email updates of airfares to give you an idea of whether costs are rising or falling. Plus, you’ll know about seat sales before anyone else does.
3. Sign up for deal sites and e-newsletters. Travel newsletters will give you a heads up on deals before the general public gets wind of them. And those “daily deal” sites can sometimes offer drastic savings on hotels, attractions, or other vacation-related perks.
4. Think outside the hotel box. Often, you can rent a house, apartment, or condo for a week and save a substantial amount of money. Not only will your total lodging costs be lower, but you’ll also save on eating out by buying food at grocery stores and preparing meals on your own.
5. Invite another family along. Certain economies of scale (like renting a large house, for instance) may drive expenses down for both families. Also, you can make a deal for one couple to stay home with all of the kids while the other couple enjoys a quiet, romantic night out together.
6. Look for free stuff at your destination. Museums, park events, and outdoor concerts are often free of charge, so be sure to put these on your vacation itinerary. You’d be surprised how some of the most memorable vacation moments are the ones which don’t involve a lot of money.
7. Limit your restaurant spending. A good rule of thumb is to try and eat out only once a day. For other meals, have a picnic at a park or fix a meal in a kitchenette. If you’re driving, you can carry enough supplies for several meals in an ice chest.
8. Be a discount sleuth. Check with local tourism bureaus for specials on area attractions. Leverage your group memberships (like AAA, AARP, etc.) to see what discounts you can find. You can even buy a coupon book that offers a wide variety of entertainment savings.
9. Steer clear of weekend flying. Generally speaking, airfares are cheaper on most weekdays than they are on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. In addition, you’ll likely experience shorter lines at airport ticket counters and security screening lines – and the flights themselves might be less crowded as well.
10. Avoid the mini-bar like the plague. But you knew that already.

 
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written by: Chris Martin

Chris Martin is a freelance writer about topics ranging from auto insurance to consumer finance to travel deals from visiting ancient Roman ruins to staying at The Modern Honolulu.

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Image courtesy of Nokhoog_Buchachon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Picking the best place for a family vacation can turn into a tough decision with choices galore. From theme parks to beach getaways, packing up the family and heading somewhere can be a feat all its own. Picking family friendly places with plenty of options for keeping the kids happy is the ultimate goal. New York City is as adventurous as it is educational with museums, bike tours, and classic sights to see. NYC boasts cultural diversity, 24-hour entertainment, accessible public transportation, and affordable and free events.

Million Dollar Fun Without Spending One Dime

You may not want to carry wads of cash or your debit card to protect your personal information or keep your load light for walking and touring the city. For cases like that and if you are on a budget, NYC is one of the only cities that offers free to low cost entertainment for tourists and natives.

There are free spring and summer concerts held in Manhattan’s Central Park, and many of the galleries and museums are family-friendly. The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art asks for a donation in exchange for admission and Bryant park has ongoing kid shows during afternoons. Plus, you can always catch the random performance by actors and acrobats if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. New York is a performer’s paradise, which means more spontaneous entertainment for you. While you’re out on the town, use a company like Lifelock to monitor your identity, so you don’t have to worry while you’re on vacation, at least about your identity. Leave the worrying to where you’re going to go next.

What About the Other Boroughs?

Of the five famous boroughs in NYC, Manhattan stands out as the most popular and most visited, with Brooklyn coming in as a close second. A big reason why the uptown is sought after is its metropolitan flare and larger than life atmosphere, while Brooklyn sports a vintage feel from block to block.

However, one thing that Long Island, Staten Island, and the Bronx do have are beaches, the Hamptons and the Bronx Zoo. Coney Island’s Cyclone carnival ride is a landmark and riding it once a year has been a time honored tradition for many, as is the Mermaid Day Parade in Brooklyn. From late April to the end of October there are ongoing festivals and street fairs taking place in Astoria and the Staten Island Ferry gives you a glorious view of Lady Liberty waving in the sunrise.

Regardless of the borough you and your family choose to visit or if you plan on checking out all of what NYC has to offer, it’s a good idea to be safe, have fun and open to experiencing new places, foods and, of course, people. This classic American destination brings in visitors from all over, year-round. NYC is a magical metropolitan area that thrives off of its tourists as well as its residents who day after day sleep, work and play.

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written by: Allyson Bonavita

Allyson Bonavita Allyson loves the outdoors almost as much as she loves writing. A New York native, Allyson studied at NYC and now freelances for technology-related clients in her spare time.

Did you know that our National Parks offer FREE admission days?

Mark your calendar, plan a getaway, and enjoy the free fun! Visit nps.gov to find a park near you!
 
 
 
Free Admission Days for 2013

• January 21
• April 22 – 26
• June 8
• August 25
• September 28
• October 13
• November 9 – 11

 
Don’t miss a moment of free family fun or a cheap date!

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Image courtesy of Liz Noffsinger / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Who wants to travel more and spend less this year?

The Budget Diet girl has 5 great ways for you save on travel!

Deal First, Destination Second – This is The Budget Diet’s motto when it comes to saving on travel. It simply means don’t get your heart set on a destination, and then discover the deals don’t exist. Instead, be open-minded about a destination and get excited about great deals. Each Saturday, The Budget Diet publishes the Top 10 Budget Travel Deals.

Discounted Travel Gift Cards – Do you know that discounted gift cards exist for travel? Recently, Costco had $300 American Airlines gift cards for only $269.99! How’s that for instant savings? Take a moment to peruse the huge selection of discounted gift cards at Plastic Jungle and save up to 35%!You’ll find discounted gift cards for airlines, restaurants, shopping and more.

Cruise Savings – One of my favorite sites for incredible cruise deals is VacationsToGo.com. You’ll love their 90-day ticker for huge last minute discounts! Today I found a 7-day cruise on the Carnival Conquest from New Orleans for 75% off…just $419!

Home Exchange Programs – Consider a home exchange program like HomeExchange.com or AffordableTravelClub.com. They work just like the name says…you stay in my house, I stay in yours. Click here to learn more about home exchange programs.

Road Trip – A good old-fashioned road trip will fit any budget. Plan a road trip to please everyone – you set the budget and distance parameters, and each member of the family plans a day!

If you haven’t established a vacation fund or budget, make this the year to start! Try these 3 painless ways to save:

1. Unload all your $1 bills every night…it’s like the old-fashioned coin jar, but it takes into account inflation! You’ll likely save at least $1200 a year.
2. Sell, Sell, Sell…have a garage sale, sell on ebay, sell on craigslist. According to Consumer Reports, the average family has $1000 – $2000 of unwanted items just sitting around. Don’t forget about those unwanted gift cards…you can sell your unwanted gift cards for cash today at PlasticJungle.com
3. Start using a rewards credit card…if you use a credit card responsibly (translated: you pay it in full every month), find the best rewards credit card and use the points for travel.

 
Now you’re ready to travel more and spend less! Enjoy!
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Image courtesy of: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The sun, the sand, the surf…

bright lights, big city…

snow covered mountains…

whatever your vacation dream, it’s time to make it a reality!

Stop dreaming, start traveling with these crazy ways to save money on your next vacation.

The Vacation Fund
Try these painless ways to save money for your next vacation!

• Unload all your $1 bills every night…it’s like the old-fashioned coin jar, but it takes into account inflation! You’ll likely save at least $1200 a year.
• Sell, Sell, Sell…have a garage sale, sell on ebay, sell on craigslist. According to Consumer Reports, the average family has $1000 – $2000 of unwanted items just sitting around.
• Start using a rewards credit card…if you use a credit card responsibly (translated: you pay it in full every month), find the best rewards credit card and use it for everything! I use a Delta Sky Miles credit card, and I generally earn 4 round trip tickets per year!

Deal First, Destination Second
This is The Budget Diet girl’s motto, and it simply means…don’t get your heart set on a destination, and then discover the deals don’t exist. Instead, be open-minded and get excited about a great deal. Look beyond Expedia and Travelocity, and take a look at these unconventional ways to score a travel bargain.

• Groupon Getaways are Groupons for travel…huge savings with a few restrictions, so make sure to read the fine print. I’ve seen a Seaside Resort in Belize for 74% off!
• Hotel rooms are expensive, stay in a loft in Manhattan, a ski condo in Aspen, or a beach house in Australia. It’s free with Home Exchange where you stay in my house, and I stay in yours. It’s worth looking into especially if you live in a popular tourist destination.
• Consider a volunteer vacation. There are organizations around the globe looking for volunteers in exchange for boarding or other amenities such as meals.

 
Before You Pack Your Bags
Plan ahead and do a little research to save on food and fun.

• Find out if there are any chain restaurants at your destination, and then order a few discounted gift cards to save on meals. Try Plastic Jungle to save up to 35%!
• About a month before you travel, start checking Groupon everyday for discounts on tours, restaurants, golf, spas and fun! Find Today’s Daily Deal in Your Destination City at Groupon.com!
• Do a simple internet search for “free events in ________,” and you’ll likely discover free concerts or festivals to enjoy.

 
Do you have any crazy ways to save money on travel?

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Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Whether it is a summer getaway or a trip planned to occur down the road, too many travelers make a mistake here or there that ends up turning their vacation into a financial nightmare.

Given that the economy is still on shaky ground, it behooves you to always look for deals far out in advance in order to save money and have your travel plans laid out as smoothly as possible.

But what about the individual that likes to do things on the fly? You know, the person that doesn’t take the time to go online and research the best flights, best times to travel, best ways to book their reservations. For them, the trip can become a logistical and costly venture.

In order to better plan your next vacation flight, keep the following in mind:

1. Don’t wait until the last minute – In an effort to save money or if you’re just too busy, do you wait until a few weeks before you want to travel to buy your ticket? If the answer is yes, you’d better be prepared to spend more. Most airlines have a 14-day window where you need to purchase tickets before traveling. While you may catch the occasional deal here or there by waiting around a month or two before you depart to buy your ticket, most deals will be had many months ahead of time. While it is harder to lock in hotel and rental car deals months in advance, locking in your airline ticket(s) can be done six months out in many cases.

2. Don’t book too far in advance – Not to confuse you, but also make sure you do not book too early. While it is great to get the various deals out there by booking early, doing so could leave you on the outside looking in when it comes to deals. For those that usually use a six-month time frame when looking for airline tickets, if you know you will be traveling over the Christmas holiday, for example, you should start looking for your ticket in late spring or the start of summer. That being said, there can be some deals to be had if you wait a little longer without going up against the clock.

3. Don’t get the facts wrong – Nothing is more frustrating than going online and filling out all the needed information for your flight other than finding out that you provided some invalid details. Next thing you know, you could get socked with a $100 “change” fee to fix the information, especially given the scrutiny that goes into flying these days with security details. Make sure your name on the ticket matches up with your driver’s license and/or passport to avoid what could be a costly headache when you get to the airport. The same holds true for the departing and arriving city information, times, etc. Don’t leave it to chance; always check the information before submitting your credit card info to purchase.

4. Don’t neglect to read the fine print closely – Even though it is oftentimes hard to read, make sure you go over the “fine print” on your airline ticket both online and when you get it emailed to you or you print it out. There is often information regarding fees for extra bags, changing your reservations, etc. Although many people shy away from reading such language, it can end up costing you more than a few dollars when all is said and done.

5. Don’t neglect to get several price quotes – While some people get lazy at times and don’t take the time to shop around for airline prices, it can come back to haunt them. It is not uncommon for many travelers to visit both the airlines’ websites and also a half dozen or so travel sites. You might be surprised, but it is not uncommon to get better deals by going straight to the airline websites. You can also be logged into the carrier’s own site, which allows you to ask questions, chat with a customer service rep, etc., if necessary. No matter which way you choose to go about it, shop around.

6. Don’t fly during the wrong time of year – While you may have a predestined time of year you want to fly somewhere, keep in mind that certain regions are going to be lower or higher priced depending on the time of year. For example, Florida is a hot destination from November to March for the snowbirds in Canada, the northeast, and midwest. Places that are known for their skiing venues will be more expensive in the wintertime for those looking to hit the slopes. If you can schedule your flight anytime during the year, try and go in the “off-peak” season for whatever region you are going to in order to save some money.

7. Don’t ignore follow-up messages from the airlines – It is certainly not uncommon in this day and age for airlines to change your flight plans at the last minute. Make sure you read any and all emails that you get from the airline or travel agency you are working with. A plane scheduling change could have you going to the airport for nothing, meaning you may have spent transportation fees or end up having to get a hotel for a night because it is too far to go back home once you realize your flight was changed.

While traveling has changed drastically since 9/11, there are still advantages to getting on a plane and getting away from it all—just be sure that you take the necessary steps to save yourself some money in the process!

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written by:  Dave Thomas

With 23 years of experience as a writer, Dave Thomas covers a wide array of topics ranging from homesecuritysystems to traveling the country.

Photo credit: Wikipedia