In the previous post, we took a look at 2 tips that can help you afford to go on a vacation despite the fact that money might be a little tight. To recap, the two tips are to reconsider your priorities and to consider going on a trip closer to home. Here are some more tips for you.

Always be on the lookout for special promos
Travel agencies, hotels, and airlines always have some sort of promo going on. Despite the economic problems – or maybe because of them – businesses in the travel industry seem to be giving a lot of incentives to travelers. Just last month, we were able to get free tickets to a domestic flight (round trip!). A local carrier, Cebu Pacific, gave away some 50,000 seats absolutely free – no taxes, no fuel surcharges, nothing! Though this kind of freebie comes along only once in a blue moon, I am sure that if you are on the lookout you will be able to find promos that will give you considerable savings. What you should do is sign up for e-mails and newsletters from various travel-related entities so that you will always be in the loop.

Don’t spread your holidays out
If you have limited days off work, I suggest bunching them all up together so that you can take one long trip instead of several short ones. This has a lot of benefits including less planes to take (cheaper fare), less travel time (more relaxation time), and the fact that you can save up for your trip longer.

If you really want to, there is always a way to find the time and the resources to go on a trip. You just have to be smart about it.

We are used to traveling at least twice a year. I guess it has become sort of a tradition for us. Traveling is the way that we are able to get away from the stresses of our daily lives and it also provides us something to look forward to. This year, however, it has been tough trying to get things together. We have not been exempt from the economic crisis that has been going on for quite some time. We were able to go to a nearby beach in May and August but have not been able to arrange anything else. I do know, however, that it is still possible to at least have one or two trips despite the tough financial times. If you are thinking about how to manage your own trip, here are some tips that you might want to consider.

Change your priorities
If you are used to staying at a 5-star hotel or even a 3-star hotel, eating at the best restaurants, and spending on the most extravagant things during a vacation, you might want to reconsider your habits. Do you really want to travel and experience something new? Then perhaps you can take your level of luxury down a notch or two. This would help you afford your trip more and still give you a wonderful experience. You know, trips need not come at a 5-start price in order to be fun.

Consider visiting nearby attractions
This is what we were able to manage this year. We wanted to go to China for the Olympics and to Singapore for the F1 race but our finances didn’t permit it. Instead, we decided to go to a beach nearby. It took us 3 hours on the road and 1 hour on the boat to get there. The accommodations were cheap and the fare inexpensive. The experience? One of a kind. That is why after our trip in May, we decided to go back in August for some R & R.

(to be continued)