I’ve never had to worry about planning my trips, so I never realized it took a lot of effort to really get your money’s worth. All I knew was you had to book your hotel and take money. I figured afterward, you’ll be all set. That is a common mindset amongst people when it comes to planning a trip. It’s nowhere near the minimum of what actually needs to be done if you want to enjoy your trip. The sites I tend to focus on are Yelp, Travelocity, Spirit Airlines, Air BnB, Priceline, and Autoslash for renting cars. Some of the best sites are simple to use, and make everything much easier. It is a great way to make sure your money is being used to the best of your ability. The sites are Yelp is best for restaurant reviews, Travelocity is best for finding cheap hotel rooms. Spirit Airlines has the cheapest flights, Airbnb is best for renting houses if you don’t want to stay in a hotel.
Priceline is a price match site, and autoslash is renting cars for cheap. Your car, room, where you’ll eat, gas money, emergency money, and proof of all your purchases will provide a sense of security so you can enjoy your trip. I advise you to read the terms and conditions because you have no idea if they charge additional fees, or how the insurance works.
The important part about attractions and hotels is having them be close to one another. You shouldn’t have to drive an hour or more from place to place; you want to keep it within a thirty-minute radius. Don’t over pack; bring water containers that keep water cold or liquids hot, clothes appropriate for the weather (winter clothes if it’s cold, summer clothes if it’s hot. Additionally, consider your Phone battery. Bring a charged battery pack, car charger, tools if your car breaks down, flashlight in case it gets dark, and a camera for pictures.
Keep in mind to fill up on gas, especially if you have no idea where the next gas station will be. Get your car checked before you set out for vacation. Just to make sure the ‘check engine’ light won’t turn on, your transmission won’t give out, or your car won’t overheat. Similarly, to avoid having places packed, go early in the morning, even to get a parking spot.
You also don’t want to worry about freezing at the beach or being caught in the middle of a thunderstorm walking the pier. Make sure to have the money already set aside before you go on the trip, sit down and draw out a total estimate of spendings for the trip. Make sure to start saving more than the estimate, in order to save yourself from going broke on your trip. I recommend using credit cards that allow you to earn points, and paying them off right away.
The points give you free prizes, and sometimes even free vacations. Make sure you have the amount right away, so that way your credit score won’t go down and end up hurting you in the future. If you use your credit card wisely, it will pay off and help you in the future with taking out loans and even getting money to buy a house.
During your trip, I advise you to write down everything you bought, as well as the cost, rather than looking at the account balance. That way you can see where exactly you spent money, which will help you budget for your next vacation or trip. Never do a timeshare, always read everything you sign up for, and don’t eat or go to places you haven’t researched. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and encourage yourself to eat new food.
Otherwise, you may end up sleeping in a car, and default toi eating the worst food in town. Make sure to price check, that way you don’t overspend. Pack a couple days before, that way you avoid leaving things behind and having to rebuy them. Never buy anything you left behind from a highend store; prices are always higher. Buy from a local store like Walmart.
If you’re hungry in the morning, buy a mini pack of cereal and milk carton from Walmart. Make sure to double check forecasts, they tend to change closer to the dates when you plan your vacation. You don’t want it to be raining when you planned an outdoor day. Have cash on you, because if you go to a local area, some places only accept cash. Look for coupons online and check Groupon for certain places and restaurants. Ask employees what they recommend to eat, or what their best sellers are. Ask locals, check reviews, and make sure the reviews are legit. It’s always good to see if you get complimentary breakfast, so that way you don’t have to go buy some. Always see if there is a drivethru breakfast joint where you can grab a quick bite; hit the road, that way you can get to your destination early. I recommend having a set schedule for your vacation. For example, at 7 am, we go to eat and breakfast, 8 am were checking out the Riverwalk and so on. We have the whole day planned.
If you don’t get to everything, it’s okay. Add it to the next day. It’s best to wake up early, that way you enjoy everything more, and get a lot more things done. Remember, it’s a vacation, and it’s your money. Make the best out of it and enjoy it. You paid for it.
Priscilla Vargas
Features Reporter