by Shannon Bradford

Created on: July 19, 2008   Last Updated: February 13, 2009

Sightseeing, trying new foods, making memories...does overspening have to be included in the itinerary, too? Don't be a victim of a swollen budget the next time you set out on a trip; with these helpful hints, you can preen your spending so that you aren't in the red by the time you get home.

The first place travelers get hit is with booking flights. There are endless resources to finding cheap flights and well-priced travel packages. Don't assume that your favorite airline will get you the best price. Visit places like Orbitz.com or Cheaptickets.com to find the real deals. These websites will compare their prices to other websites as well, so you can see the kind of deal you're really getting. You won't use strictly American Airlines for each and every flight in your itinerary, but you will save hundreds of dollars. A little-known trick is to experiment with your start and end dates sometimes just leaving or returning on a different day of the week can save money!

Accommodations abroad can sometimes suck the life out of a budget, but it doesn't have to be that way. Don't opt for the 5-star hotel; rather, go local. Amazing deals exist off the beaten path. Guidebooks are excellent resources for finding these money-saving gems, so invest in a guide book tailored to your destination. Hostels are also notoriously cheap, so if you feel like bunking up with other travelers and sharing stories at night in the common room, go for the hostel experience. If you're traveling with others, sometimes the cheapest way to spend a night is in a hotel room, splitting the cost between you and your travel mates!

The biggest secret to saving money while traveling is by splitting meals. Eating out can become a burden on your wallet, but sharing meals and cutting back on alcohol is an excellent way to keep cash in your pocket. Order something that can be split between you and a friend; order or bring your own water instead of getting an expensive pina colada. Another excellent idea is to get to know the street vendors. Sometimes the most delicious food in a foreign country can be found on the streets- and it's also the cheapest!

If you're traveling extensively throughout a foreign country and not just visiting one city for an extended period of time, transportation costs can eat a huge hole into your wallet. Plan wisely! There are usually many options to domestic transportation within a country, and the flashiest, most expensive bus or plane isn't always the best choice. Shuttles, minibuses, collectives, and other forms of public transportation will usually get you from Point A to Point B for much less money. These options offer an interesting look into the culture and countryside, something that can't be experienced from inside a double-decker tour bus. If in doubt, ask the locals- they usually have great advice!

With these tips in mind, you can keep your budget from swelling and eventually exploding. And with all the extra money you've saved, you'll be able to bring home a few souvenirs for friends and family!

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