The M-Network Vacation Guide - 9 Vacation Tips and Ideas

Today, members of the M-Network are doing a series on vacationing. Frugal tips, ideas, experiences, personal accounts…everything. Check out the other M-Network blogs for more vacationing articles.

My contribution to the project is a hodgepodge of vacation planning, ideas, and tips — hopefully with a few creative ideas that you could use for your own vacation.

1. Traveling In Group

Personally, I don’t like to travel alone and I think vacationing in a group of 2-4 people is the optimum size. If you go by yourself, it could turn out to be a lonely trip. If there are too many people, then the trip might be ruined by too many compromises.

But with 2-4 people, you should be able to minimize these problems, while allowing you to split a lot of the expenses, and providing some added security.

2. Budgeting For Your Vacation

As a personal finance blogger, this is an important aspect for me. While it’s important to enjoy your vacation, I think it’s also important that you do not pay for it later — i.e., ended up in financial distress or in debt. Having a good budget will also dictate a lot of things about your vacation, such as:

• The timing of you vacation
• The length of your vacation
• Your destination
• The mean of getting to your destination
• The quality of your accommodations

And if it’s at all possible, you should go on the vacation with money that you already have, and not money that you’ll be earning in the future.

Lastly, if you traveling in a group, it’s very important that each person has a comparable budget so that everyone could enjoy the vacation equally; otherwise, the group should work something out before hand.

3. Vacation Timing

Although holidays are the most convenient time to travel due to the extra day off work, I found it to be the least enjoyable time to travel. Personally, I prefer to spend holidays at home or locally to avoid the rush and the peak season prices.

By traveling during the off-peak period, or even off season, you’ll enjoy lower accommodation and travel costs, less time stuck in traffic, better services, and less stress overall. Basically, every dollar will go further.

4. Vacation Ideas

For me, many vacations ended up being places where I am visiting someone — e.g., a friend, a family member, etc. It’s like shooting three birds with one stone: (1) you get to enjoy the destination, (2) visit your friend(s) and/or family, and (3) perhaps a place to stay for free.

However, it does get redundant after a while. If you want to be somewhere new and different, here are a few ways to come up with your next vacation ideas:

• Check where airline and hotel points will get you.
• Watch the Travel Channel or National Geographic for a few days.
• Throw darts at a map.
• Spin the globe.
• Check out Travelocity or Expedia for vacation packages and deals.
• Check out Travel Channel web site for vacation ideas.

5. Getting To Your Destination

You mode of transportation to get to your destination depends on where your destination is. Here are the four main methods and my comment:

• Driving – If the destination is within 6 hours, my preferred mode of transportation is driving. I don’t have to deal with other travelers or airport security, and I have full mobility during the trip and after I reached the destination. Lastly, as intriguing as it is to travel to a far far away land, I’ve come to realize that there are a lot of attractions that are within a day drive from where I live. As a result, I have been focusing on these short trips in the last few years.
• Plane – I don’t know about you, but I really don’t like to travel by plane. However, it’s sometimes unavoidable.
• Train – Some of my most memorable trips were by train. For me, half of the enjoyment is the train ride itself, and how I spent my time with others traveling with me. However, if you’re more of a destination type, as opposed to the journey type, a train trip is probably not right for you (too long).
• Cruise – Cruises are probably some of the best vacation deals you’ll find today. Although it may seem expensive, you have to remember that a cruise include the trip, food, a place to sleep, amenities, and entertainment. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. And the best part is you’ll reach your destination the minute you set foot on the ship.

6. Accommodation Tips

One of the big-ticket items in any vacation is the accommodation. Aside from its budgetary impact, it also defines your vacation. Here are some tips regarding accommodation.

1. Make your arrangement ahead of time.
2. Use reward points if you have them.
3. Get reward points for your stay.
4. If you are driving or renting a car, it might be worthwhile to check out hotels that are within 30 minutes drive of your destination. Usually, they are cheaper than destination hotels.
5. Choosing a hotel that offers free breakfast could save you quite a bit of money and time, especially when traveling with kids.
6. Look for a hotel that offers free shuttle services if you are not planning to rent a car.
7. If you have a child with you, pick one with a swimming pool.
8. If you are a blogger, pick one with free high-speed Internet access.
9. A bed and breakfast inn could be cheaper and more flavorful alternatives to a traditional hotel.
10. Arrange to stay with a friend or a family member to save money (don’t forget to take them out to a nice dinner in return).

7. Other Vacationing Tips

Here are some additional tips:

1. Prepare ahead of time — i.e., items, documentation, reservation, money, etc.
2. Use discount sites like Travelocity or Expedia to search for the best deals.
3. Check with associations such as AAA for special discount and deals.
4. Your credit card companies may offer special deals as well.
5. Use your mileage points if you have them.
6. Get mileage points for your trip.
7. Plan your activities ahead of time, and make any necessary reservations.
8. Have back ups for your activities.
9. Leave plenty of time between each activity.
10. Make back up arrangement for work so that you don’t have to think about it while you’re on vacation.
11. Consider travel insurance.
12. Know what to do in case you lose your wallet that contains all your cash, credit cards, and IDs.
13. Pack enough essential in your carry on so that a lost luggage wouldn’t ruin your entire trip.
14. Pack some snacks for emergency — i.e., stuck on the runway for 3 hours.
15. Travel as light as possible.
16. Make sure you have your IDs.
17. Avoid traveling during major holidays.
18. Check the forecast and bring appropriate clothes — e.g., light jacket, etc.
19. Pack your medications and subscriptions.
20. Charge your batteries ahead of time and don’t forget the various chargers.
21. If you’re driving, it might be worthwhile to invest in a GPS.
22. If you’re driving, it might be worthwhile to avoid tolls on major highways by taking the scenic and alternative routes.
23. Leave enough time for you to recuperate before returning to work.

8. Preparing Your Home

There are also a few things you should do while you are away.

1. Get programmable light switches to turn off and on your lights. This way the house doesn’t look empty.
2. Turn down your heater (winter).
3. Turn off / unplug unnecessary electronic devices.
4. Turn down the hot water heater.
5. Lock all your doors and windows.
6. Arrange to have someone baby-sit your pet(s).
7. Put your subscriptions on hold.
8. Ask the post office to hold your mails.
9. Arrange for a friend or a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your house.
10. Set your alarm system and notify the security company.
11. Pay your bills ahead of time, or schedule their payments.
12. Find a safe place for your expensive belongings and important documents.

9. International Travel Tips

1. Have your passport and visa ready well ahead of time.
2. Check the conditions and laws of your destination country before traveling.
3. Look for a credit card that offers no-fee for international transactions.
4. Make sure you have sufficient medicines and prescriptions for the duration of the trip.
5. Bring medication for diarrhea. This is probably the most common illness for foreign travelers.
6. Get vaccination for regional diseases.
7. Check your overseas insurance coverages.
8. Leave a copy of itinerary and passport data with a friend or a family member.
9. Register your trip with the U.S. Department of State.
10. Write down address and contact information for the local U.S. embassy.

Enjoy your vacation this summer and have a safe trip!