From the monthly archives:

March 2009

Ways to Save on Vacations

by VisitGreece on March 20, 2009


The country may be in a recession but there is an upside to it. Hotels and other resorts are slashing their rates by more than 50% during the peak and off season which means you can take a vacation. But to do that, you have to know the different Ways to Be Frugal if you decide to holidays.

First, plan your vacation way ahead of time and holidays to places that are not frequented by tourists at that time. During the summer, head to winter resorts instead of the beaches. If it gets too cold, go to places that are warm like the tropics.

Before you buy your ticket and book your reservation, go online and compare the rates of the different holidays organizations. You may find a 3 day 2 night package to a destination of your choice that is less than $500 per person. You just have to look carefully through each one by not only looking at the price but also what is included in the package.

People who fly often on business can Be Frugal on holidays by gaining more frequent flyer miles. After traveling a certain distance, you can redeem it which could get you a round trip ticket to a destination of your choice so check regularly how many miles you have earned.

If buying a ticket is not in your budget, take a road trip instead. You might enjoy seeing something nearby instead of flying hundreds of miles away. If you calculate the costs, the money you pay for gas and food could still be cheaper than going somewhere else. You can also Be Frugal if you decide not to stay in a hotel but rather camp out in a tent.

For people who do have the money for airfare, you can still Be Frugal by staying in a smaller establishment rather than a 5 star hotel. You have the option to rent a condo or an apartment that are bigger than hotel rooms and even have their own kitchen which allows you to cook.

Some locals even rent out a room or have a dorm that they can offer which is great especially if you and your group are going backpacking or simply want to save your money for other thrills.

If you are up to it, try what other people have done called house swapping. Here, you exchange your place with another homeowner for a few days. The nice thing about it is that you don’t pay anything for your stay.

You don’t have to take a vacation on the road or take to the air to have a great time. You can also take to the sea since there are cruises and if you get lucky, you could be a huge discount if there are some passengers who canceled in the last minute which means there is room for you on board.

Chances are, you have probably made a bid on EBay or some other auction site and know the mechanics. Did you know some sites allow you to bid for a vacation? To win, you have to give the lowest bid which is the exact opposite of what you do when you bid online.

There are Ways to Be Frugal on holidays. You should compare the rates and consider your options before planning your vacation.

For more savings ideas once you get home be sure to visit group health quotes or life insurance quote or auto insurance company quote.

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Ways To Spend Less When Going To A Hotel

by VisitGreece on March 16, 2009


Sometimes, we need to travel out of town or out of the country and the only place to stay is a hotel. If this is the case, you should know the different Methods to Save Money when staying in a hotel.

The best place to look for good rates is online because most establishments these days post promos through their company website. While browsing, you may even find a site that offers airline tickets and hotels which is good for companies who don’t have corporate rates.

Once you have found a few good choices, compare what each one is offering and then get whoever is offering the best deal.

If you have only purchased an airline ticket and have not found yet a place to stay, look at the local phone book and then make inquiries the moment you land. Unlike the first option, this is going to be quite challenging especially if you are looking for a place and calling from a public phone.

When you are talking to someone from the hotel, ask if they offer any discounts. It is possible that one of your credit cards you have may entitle you to a 10% discount and you will never know until you ask.

But what if you don’t have to ride a plane but travel by car? You can still find Methods to Save Money for a hotel by visiting the local gas station, restaurant, rest area or visitor’s center that usually give out free coupons or even brochures. Such discounts could save you $10 to $20 per night so you can use the money on something else.

If there are no promos and no coupons, try your luck and see if you can negotiate a reasonable price for staying in the hotel. There is a chance you could get it if you happen to be a member of the military, a club, a certain school, part of a union or part of a professional organization.

Should the hotel be unable to give you a discount, don’t waste your time there and consider other places which you may have not considered before. This could mean the rooms may be smaller and the service they give may not be equal to what you have experienced in the past but there could be other things which may surprise and even impress you during your stay.

But the best way to Save Money on a hotel is still to book in advance. Most hotels give good rates when you book 6 months or longer in advance compared to booking a reservation a week or two before your actual arrival.

Things are far more different though when you are part of a contingent and you are booking for a large number of people for the next few days. This is because even if hotels give you a discounted rate, they still make money because the guests will not only sleep in the rooms but also use some of the amenities the hotel offers including eating in the restaurants.

There are Methods to Save Money when staying in a hotel. You can look for good deals online, calling them once you get there or simply by using your charm so good luck when you are looking for a place to stay.

For other ways to save money please see online instant health insurance quotes or term insurance quote online or auto insurance coverage quote on line.

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