Savvy Travel Tips Worth Implementing Now

You consider yourself the queen of deals. You scout out savings galore when it comes to purchasing groceries, clothes and more for your family, but do you apply the same techniques when it comes to planning your family trips?  Uh-oh, you don't? Well, not to worry, because it isn't too late to start.

So, the next time you are in the pre-planning phase of your next trip, why don't you...

• Start a vacation fund. Remember ever little bit counts, and those pennies really do add up. So, instead of your daily coffee purchase, put that money aside for a trip. Encourage your children to save extra money (dollar or two from their allowance, birthday money, etc.) toward the trip. Then, during the week of your family's planned trip, get together, count it and decide what you want, as a family, to do with it. You might have enough for a fun meal, an extra day at an attraction, or something special.

• Think about going to a popular destination during their off-season. During January and February, the crowds at Walt Disney World seem to thin out a bit and the weather is quite pleasant. It's a great time to visit parks and not feel rushed. 

  If the prices at the ski resorts are a little too much for you now, make plans to visit during the spring or summer. Even though that time is their off season, there is still a lot to see and do, and a lot of deals can be found.

• Use the Internet (or talk with other fellow travelers) to discover new places. Of course, everyone loves places like New York City, San Francisco,Calif., and Orlando, Fla., but those cities might not fit into your budget right now. Therefore, it's important not to overlook what's consider second (or even third)-tier destinations. Places like Chattanooga,Tenn., and Branson, Mo., offers a lot for families and are quickly becoming favorites.

• Utilize the destination's CVB site. A city's convention and visitors bureau site doesn't only provide information about what to see/do, where to eat and to stay, but also up-to-date savings specials and so much more. Be sure to sign up for newsletters as well because you never know what gem (as in savings, coupons, etc.) they might have.

   

• Ask, ask, ask. You know the saying that it never hurts to ask? Well, apply it to travel as well. When you make reservations, ask about any upcoming specials or deals. Ask about upgrades. Remember, you don't know until you ask.