More Thoughts on Traveling...

Other budget-conscious travel tips:

• Consider traveling in the US! If you don’t want to bother with currency exchange rates and the weak dollar, take a look at the historical sites, national parks, and other attractions near or far from your home.
  
• What you previously considered a one-stop trip can be a two-stop trip or more. For example, a week in San Francisco can easily include a journey to California’s wine country in Sonoma and Napa Valley. A trip to Las Vegas can include a side trip to see the Grand Canyon—the two spots are only about 4.5 hours apart.
  
• If you’re flying somewhere in the US, consider using regional airlines. They may not take you straight to the airport in the heart of the big city, but they will get you an hour outside of your destination (remember to factor in travel time… If you end up an hour outside of New York City, it will potentially take you longer than an hour to get into the city due to traffic etc).
  
• Fly on weekdays instead of weekends. It’s usually cheaper.
  
• If you’re driving, map out your trip. The American Automobile Association has an online resource, TripTik, which will let you lay out your route. Then, a website like gasbuddy.com can help you figure out where the cheapest gas stations along the way are located.
  
• Consider having lunch be your main meal when traveling. Lunch is usually cheaper than dinner. Also, if your family is not big on breakfast, consider saving on breakfast and having a simple bagel or muffin instead of a large breakfast brunch. This will allow you to spend more on lunch and dinner.
  
• Consider having your pet stay with a friend instead of at a kennel while you are gone. This, of course, might require some pet sitting on your part in the future to pay back your friend’s generosity, but if you are responsible and like animals, this shouldn’t be a problem.
  
• Vacation with family and/or friends. Get a rental house instead of a hotel—more privacy and more homey while saving money at the same time!
  
• If you’re thinking about taking a cruise, look online for cruise specials and discounts. They’re everywhere, especially in what has traditionally been considered the off-season for your destination.
  

Travel doesn’t have to be super expensive. And if you’re still worried about costs yet are yearning for a weekend get-a-way, consider a night or two at a bed and breakfast within a four or five hour drive from your house. Not only will you be supporting regional economy but you might discover something you never knew about your state/area!