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*Ready to have some "Hot Fun in the Summertime," (Sly & The Family Stone, 1969)? Over the next two weeks, I will be dishing out eight tips to plan your summer getaway, without going broke.
1. Bills, Bills, Bills (Destiny's Child, 1999).
Before you spend money on your summer vacation, ask yourself "Will I still be able to pay my bills?" Tip number one: Set up a budget before you even think about taking a vacation. This budget should look at how much you can comfortably afford to spend without dipping too much into high interest credit cards or, heaven forbid, taking money out of your 401(k), or other retirement accounts. Start by figuring out how much you could pay off in six months or less. That number is what you can comfortably afford. Be sure it includes how much you will have to pay for transportation, housing, food, and spending money for gifts and entertainment. Otherwise, that $1500 vacation on your credit card will probably be double that by the time you pay it off, five or six years later! This tip is the "holy grail." All other tips that follow from this point on are based on you following your budget!
2. Choosey Lover, (Isley Brothers, 1983).
Look for the deals. Once you set the budget, look for the best bang for your buck. Get help online with Orbitz.com, Expedia.com, Priceline.com or Travelocity.com, just to name a few. These sites, among others, can help you price out your airfare, car rental and hotel expenses. Also there is Travelzoo.com; the internet's largest publisher of travel deals. This site gives you a side-by-side comparison of all of the earlier mentioned sites. It's simple and a timesaver for the choosey traveler looking for the best for less. And for those truly looking for the ultimate 411, check out tripadvisor.com to get unbiased reviews, by real people on hotels, destinations and resorts.
3. Hold Up, Wait a Minute, (from "I Wanna Rock/Doo Doo Brown" (Luke, 1991) or from "Do You Know What Time It Is?" (Rare Essence, circa 1985 [for you DC Go-Go lovers]).
Does your budget leave you a bit short on your dream vacation? Last minute deals are some of the ways to get the fabulous vacation you want with the money you have. Many airlines offer these bargains; you just need to be a bit flexible. Typically, you can check an airline's website one week before you want to leave. If you can be flexible on flight times and dates, you will find fares for a little less than they were a few weeks prior. The online company best known for last minute fares is Priceline.com, and according to a recent report on WMAQ Chicago, many analysts say that the absolute best time to purchase airline tickets is on a Tuesday or Wednesday when fares tend to be most stable. The next big thing online: Farecast.com, which launches next month, and gives travelers a chance to see, airline-by-airline, which fares are expected to rise and which are expected to go down.
4. Freeway of Love (Aretha Franklin, 1985).
Sometimes, even with deals and flexibility, you still can't afford, based on your budget, to go on that Caribbean vacation. Even though gas prices are out of control, taking a road-trip might be just the solution to your vacation woes. Look into driving somewhere close to your home. I grew up in the Washington, DC area, and I can't even tell you the last time I visited the Smithsonian, or one of the many museums in the area (maybe in 10 th grade)? The point is that when you live somewhere, you take for granted all the beautiful landmarks your city has to offer because you're too busy dealing with everyday life. Taking a vacation close to home may not only help you meet your budget, you may also discover your beautiful town. Remember: Other people pay a lot of money to come to your city and the sites in your own backyard.
Want a quick getaway a little farther from home, but still within driving distance? Then try Gulf Shores, AL or Outer Banks, NC for beaches if you live in the South. If you are on the East Coast, when's the last time you visited the Bronx Zoo or stood in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial. The Taste of Chicago has something for everyone's budget in the Midwest, and a drive up the coast to Northern California will give those in the West a chance to roll down the windows and take in that ocean breeze. If staying close to home sounds good, but you still don't want to put the miles on your car, leave the driving to them, www.caravantours.com . This company gives escorted bus tours that allow you to really kick back and enjoy the scenery.
Look for more money-saving summer vacation tips in next week's article. Also, check out these websites for more on getting a vacation that meets your budget:
Shannon King Nash is the author of the award-winning book entitled, "For the Love of Money: The 411 to Taking Control of Your Taxes and Building Your Net Worth." She uses song lyrics and entertaining stories ripped from the headlines to teach readers how to manage their finances and taxes. Shannon is a CPA, Tax Attorney, and regular expert commentator on KJLH FM Radio in Los Angeles, and has appeared on national television. She is the CEO of Nash Management Group, a tax and nonprofit consulting firm based in Los Angeles, and a tax partner with the law firm of Guydon Love, based in the Washington DC area. To learn more about Shannon King Nash and "For the Love of Money" visit www.nashgroup-usa.com .
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