Frugal Travel: Pre-planning Tip #1 - Transportation

Let's face it. Traveling at reasonable costs requires not only good planning but also requires you be persistent. Go after what you want and don't give up. Over the next few posts I am going to share some great pre-planning tips I learned from Erin Huffstetler. Let's start with a big one: transportation.

Transportation is most likely one of the biggest expenses when you travel. There are costs associated with getting you to your departure destination and with the mode of transportation used. And then when you arrive you need transportation not only to get to your lodging destination but also just to get you around town. Besides traveling off peak and using discount providers, here are some other ways to pre-plan to reduce costs.

1. Save on car rentals.

• Book early. The cheapest rental cars go fast. Don't get forced into an upgrade. Book your car as soon as you have solid plans.
  
• Comparison shop. The rates between the website, toll free number, and local dealer are not always the same. Be sure to check all three.
  
• Reserve the smallest car possible. Rent the smallest car you need and hope for an upgrade. Small fleets are often overbooked causing dealers to upgrade their customers.
  
• Compare daily and weekly rates. There is a big range between daily and weekly rates. Check both to ensure you get the best price.
  
• Use a non-airport facility. Check out local renters that are not exactly at the airport. You may find you save the price the airport renters charge for convenience.
  
• Skip the rental insurance. Your car insurance providing often provides coverage for rentals. Be sure to check first. You may be saving big on extra insurance you don't need.
  
• Fill the tank yourself. Some rental companies charge a fee for returning the car without a full tank. Be sure to know what's in the contract to save yourself some money.
  

2. Save on gas.

• Rely on local transportation. Not only does traveling using local transportation (subway, bus, etc.) allow you to see everything as the locals see it but it save you some headache on parking too.
  
• Rent a bike. Where are you going? If going to a beach or other tourist-focused areas why rent a car when you can rent a bike? Its also can be an easier way to get around town.
  
• Seek gas card offers. With the increase in gas prices some hotels have begun to offer free gas cards to offset the cost.
  
• Walk. Pick a pedestrian friendly destination. Many big and small towns can be easily explored on foot.
  
• Look for a shuttle service. Bigger hotel chains often have shuttle service. Take advantage of it. And get a tour guide as a bonus.
  

3. Save on airfare.

• Be flexible to consider off peak schedules.
  
• Look into flying into near by airports. You can save by arriving in one airport and leaving from another.
  
• Online search alerts. Sign up for pricing alerts and also search day before and after where you can get some really good deals.
  
• Avoid online service fees by doing research online and then book with airline.
  
• Sign up for last minute email alerts from airlines for some great last minute deals. They often reduce prices at the last minute to get rid of any remaining empty seats.
  

7 Days Of The Week, When To Buy

Knowing a little more about the sales cycles of certain products and services and retailers can add much value to the your hunt for a deal. According to Smart Money, there are certain days of the week when you can find the best prices for things. If you have experienced success with this I'd like to hear from you.



Airline Tickets
Best to buy: Wednesday morning
Why: Airlines usually have deals over the weekend but the war begins after the weekend when other airlines are trying to match the prices set by the first airline that reduced prices over the weekend. Prices reach their lowest point by late Tuesday, early Wednesday.

Cars
Best to buy: Mondays
Why: Car dealers love the weekend because that is when they make the most sales. On Monday, they are already looking toward the weekend and the low foot traffic makes it seem like it will never come which gives the consumer a little more negotiating power.

Clothing
Best to buy: Thursday evening
Why: Kathryn Finney, author of "How to Be a Budget Fashionista" says this is when retailers begin to stock for the weekend and when retailers such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Express start their weekend promotions. It brings people out to shop mid week.

Dinner Out
Best to buy: Tuesday
Why: Most restaurants don't receive food deliveries on the weekend and throw things out on Sunday (they should donate to the food rescue mission instead). By Tuesday they have received new deliveries so food is fresher and you get more bang for your buck.

Gas
Best to buy: Thursday before 10 a.m.
Why: In addition to oil prices, consumer demand also drive up prices. Weekend demand is higher when more people are traveling. Most gas stations change prices Thursday mornings and by getting gas then you will sneak in before the price change and weekend rush.

Department-Store Wares
Best to buy: Saturday
Why: Many department stores have a lot to mark down for their Sunday circulars, so they frequently start the process on Saturday evenings before store closing to prepare for the Sunday rush. Even if the markdowns haven't been made, many employees will honor the sale price if you ask. Print out the circular preview from the store's web site, and bring it with you when you head to the mall.

Dollar Stretching Exercises For Tight Times

Regardless of whether or not we are in a recession I think times are tighter and cost of living has increased.   I've done some research and have gathered some good tips that have been shared by blog readers regarding ways we can stretch our dollar to make it go further.  Much of it has to do with our mindsets, however.  Instead of thinking "what do I need to buy?", think, "what do I have that I can use?".  That is how many got through the Great Depression.  Follow are a few things you can do to work out that dollar.  I've put them into categories.

Cooking and Eating Savings

• Bring lunch from home.
• Eat less. The average American consumes too much food.
• Get creative with leftovers to reduce waste.
• Make your own jello or pudding cups rather than buying them.  Its cheaper.
• Always take a snack or water where ever you go. Will reduce temptation to stop at fast food.
• Cook large amounts and freeze for busy nights.

Car and Gas Savings

• Walk as much as you can or ride your bike
• Keep tires properly inflated to appropriate pressure
• Regularly maintain you car
• Fill up with gas in the morning.  Air is cool and gas is dense. You'll get more gas and less air.
• Use gasbuddy.com to find the lowest gas prices.
• Don't suddenly stop or accelerate. Try to maintain consist speed to improve gas mileage.

Utility Savings

• Keep lights off during the day.
• Let dishes air dry after running them through the dish washer.
• Line dry clothes by setting drying racks over heating vents during winter and outside during the spring and summer.
• Turn off the PC if you won't be using for an hour or more.
• Keep the freezer full.  If you have to, put milk jugs filled with water in the freezer.  It's less expensive to keep a full freezer cold than an empty one.
• Never leave the water running when brushing your teeth, rinsing dishes, etc.  Only use the water you need.
• Use a programmable thermostat and don't run the heater at night.
• Use a fan.

Savings Around The House

• Store batteries in the refrigerator.  They last longer.
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Email for free samples.
• Use water from boiling food or a dehumidifier to water your plants.
• Use a kitchen rag instead of paper towel.
• Wash a re-use Ziploc bags.

Entertainment Savings

• Eat out only once per month.
• Prepare special dinners at home, rather than going out to celebrate.
• Go to the park and have a picnic.
• Take advantage of 'get in free' days at museums, etc.
• Visit your local tourism guide for special events.
• Do free things for entertainment: hiking, free city concerts, game nights, etc.

Use Gas More Efficiently

While gas prices seem to be holding steady near or under the $2 mark it is still high and will probably increase again in the future.  Why not get in the mode of using gas more efficiently now and making it a habit.  Helping to save money in the end. While I am sure we all have learned of ways to operate our vehicles better to save gas including using gradual acceleration, using cruise control to maintain efficient speeds, and performing regular maintenance there are other things we can do outside of the way we operate our vehicles.

1.  For working professionals.  Use the phone a little more rather than making in person visits to clients.  I am not suggesting elimination of visits.  Just try scaling back a bit.  Or call before meetings to ensure they are still on.  If they are canceled it will save you a trip.

2. Make a driving plan.  Try to make appointments that are located near each other around the same time to eliminate driving back and forth.  Or plan your errands.  When I go to the gym which is 10 miles from my house I make stops along the way.  It saves me having to drive back out again after I get home.

3.  Park and walk.  Do you have appointments that are within blocks of each other. Rather than drive around looking for the perfect spot for each appointment try parking in a central location and walking to them.  It will also provide a little excercise.

4.  Adjust your working hours.  If you employer allows it try altering your working hours around rush hour.  Sitting in rush hour traffic uses more gas.

5.  Cut down on eating out for lunch at work.  Eating in the office more often will eliminate the daily trips to get lunch.

For even more tips please visit Rhonda Abrams, 'Strategies: How To Save Money On Gas'.