by Rebecca Mecomber

Created on: September 14, 2009

Money so easily slips away while traveling. Even the best budget planner is bombarded with unexpected expenses- everything from that cute (and $20 over-budget) souvenir to $15-an-hour parking when you though it was $5-an-hour- the multitudes of little things can really add up, can't they? (And I won't even get into the rising price of fuel!).

And it's no fun to watch your money go down the drain for stuff like gasoline or pricey fast-food fare. Here are some fresh and time-honored tips for saving money while traveling.

>> 1. Pack your own food. BYOB. Buy food locally at the grocery store.

Food is one of the costliest expensive while traveling. It's also a slight safety risk (you *hope* those street-vendor Mexican burritos or fresh cherries are free of microbes). And even if you do the "fast food" route, you're going to get lots of fat and salt in your diet, making you a sluggish tourist. Here's an idea- pack your own food. Stick to non-perishables and individually-packaged beverages. Realize that bringing your own beverages (BYOB) can save you a bundle of money, because it is with pricey drinks that restaurants make their money. For non-perishables, check out the local grocery stores. There, you can get healthier and less expensive choices (such as, submarine sandwiches or freshly-made salads) for better prices.

>> 2. Use your vehicle as a camper, or camp out at public camping areas.

Not everyone can do this, of course. But if you can, you can save up to half your travel expenses! If you travel in a minivan or SUV, you can remove your seats overnight (cover them securely with a tarp) and make the vehicle interior a mini-camper. Bring an air mattress (deflatable during the day for easy storage) for comfort. Or, pack a tent to bring with you. Public camping areas are usually very inexpensive. Be aware that you may need to plan ahead and make reservations, especially during the height of the travel season.

>> 3. Use the Internet to plan your itinerary and find bargains.

Websites like hotels.com and priceline. com are great places to fine good prices and deals.Tripadvisor.com is a terrific review site where you can get a sneak peek about hotels and attractions. I've found some wonderful "off the beaten path" and highly-rated hotels and tourist attractions simply by doing my research homework on the web.

>> 4. Travel off-season.

For many places in the Northeast, for example, tourist season slows down from mid-September to early May. This

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