***Plan Your Family’s Summer Vacation at Bargain Rates

Written By: A.T. "Al" Benelli, CFP, FIC

The U.S. economy may be recovering, but travel experts say the vacation deals available last year are still going to be around for stingy travelers this year. With that in mind, here are some ways the Financial Planning Association recommends to save on travel this summer

Go online: If you have specific destinations in mind, go to comparison websites to see what the best rates might be across hotel and transportation choices. Then follow up with the hotels, cruise, rental car and airline companies to see if they’re offering special deals and discount codes to save even more.

Go all-inclusive: If they exist where you’re going, head for the all-inclusive air/hotel/rental car packages whenever possible because making your reservations a la carte will almost always cost you more.

Fly standby: This is a bit tougher with family or during peak travel times, but flying standby – essentially waiting for seats to open up on an unfilled plane within minutes of takeoff – can allow you to fly at a discount. But this practice requires flexibility and an ability to improvise in similar fashion when you get to your destination.

Do a home exchange: One of the best ways to save is to simply avoid staying in a hotel. An increasing number of websites… including HomeExchange.com… allow you to stay in someone else’s home while they stay in yours. It makes good sense to research these arrangements and talk to people who have shared homes before you commit.

Go where summer is the off-season: If you can schedule flexibly, start traveling out-of-season all the time. Vegas and Aruba might be hotter than blazes in July, but you’ll save money on practically everything. For family friendly venues, check prices on the edges of summer when schools are still letting out or going back into session.

Consider a staycation: Check out local websites for coupons and other discounts. Also, sign up for e-mail from your local transit agencies and check their websites – you might hear about special deals at museums or parks and free parking areas where you can leave your car before you pick up the train or bus.

Consult your motor club: Organizations like AAA negotiate prices on popular locations around the country, like Disney World. Again, even if you don’t have kids, check your motor club’s offerings on hotel, destination, rental car and even train discounts.

Save money on food while traveling: There was a time when families traveled with a picnic basket full of sandwiches and a thermos. Those days might be returning. It’s also not a bad idea to ask for a hotel room with a kitchenette or a microwave where food from the grocery or leftovers from the previous night’s meal might be warmed up.

Leave or return on a Monday or Tuesday: Play around with the days of the week that you can schedule your trip just to see if you can find significant savings on hotel and airfares. Fighting to get home on a Saturday or Sunday can cost you money.

Pinch those gasoline pennies: If you’re driving your car on trips, focus on maintenance and when and where you’re buying your gas. Keep your tires inflated and make sure your engine is in good shape for maximum fuel economy. Also, don’t carry tons of stuff – heavier cars burn more gas. Consider joining a wholesale club that sells gas onsite – you might save a considerable sum not only at home, but in out-of-town locations where you’re staying (hit the Internet and check before you go). Also, buy gasoline mid-week when prices generally stabilize from spikes entering the weekend and starting the workweek. Last but not least, buy gas when daytime temperatures are lowest. Why? Because during cool hours, gasoline is densest and packs more fuel power.

Al Benelli is a Certified Financial Planner® practitioner with Long Financial Group of Plymouth Meeting, PA. Securities and investment advice offered through Cadaret Grant and Co., member FINRA/SIPC

You may respond to Al in the “Leave A Comment” section below or email him at abenelli@boomer-living.com

Tags: flexibility, fly standby, home exchange, travel experts