by Chandler Lynn

Created on: July 01, 2009   Last Updated: July 02, 2009

Summer vacations are often handicap our bank accounts for several months. A nice vacation can run two, three, or more than four thousand dollars. Here are some very effective methods to saving money this summer.

First, if you are driving, only fill your gas tank half way. Think about it, the heavier your car is, the more your car has to work and the less gas mileage your car gets. If filling your gas tank costs fifty dollars, filling it halfway obviously costs 25 dollars. With the car being much lighter without the extra twenty-five gallons, your average gas mileage goes up. This cuts around 100 pounds off the weight of your car.

Next, if you fly, book your tickets as early as possible. The earlier you book your tickets, the cheaper the ticket and the better the seat. Airlines generally set off about ten percent of their seats for the cheapest prices, and the first ones to buy the tickets get those prices. Also, usually go on sale on Tuesday. The best chance for you to get a cheap ticket is on a Tuesday.

When you arrive at your destination, the biggest money you're going to spend is on the hotel. Now, from personally experience, the hotel makes very little difference on the enjoyment of your vacation. If your in Florida, and you plan on going to the beach or Disney World all day, then go out for dinner at night and enjoy the nightlife till eleven, the size of your master bathroom isn't going to mean jack. If the quality of your hotel is what makes or breaks your vacations, then, my friend, you have never really vacationed. The average room at a Super 8 motel goes between sixty and eighty dollars a night. The average room for a resort can go from 150 and up a night. For a one week vacation, your savings are at least 490 dollars. To me, and most other people reading this article, that is a huge chunk of cash to save.

My last tip would be to pick the best location for your travels. I have gone to absolutely beautiful places, including Greece, Germany, the Bahamas, Tahiti, Hawaii, Brazil, and etc. The best times I have had on vacation were definitely not the most glamorous or expensive. My two favorite experiences were cliff jumping in Jamaica and surfing in Hawaii. Both of these were at the most twenty dollars each. Know your own interests before vacationing and be willing to try anything that crosses your path. Trying the local activities will be the best decision you make on your travels (and the cheapest).

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