Creating Your Grab and Go Travel Bag 2.5.11

Do you hate packing or always leave it to the last minute? What if you had your carry-on pretty much packed with all the essentials and then just had to add a few tops and bottoms to be able to take off? I find this to be tremendously helpful when I pack a bag, so much so that I buy travel items to pack and use on my trip throughout the year. Of course, if you go to the same types of destinations each year, then you could probably pack all of your travel clothes as well. . For those of you who do not, let’s look at what you can get away with packing that can be used in any destination.

First thing’s first: Make a packing list. You know what essentials you need to take for each vacation, so make a master list with these on them and then leave blank lines for clothing choices, since each vacation might need a different type of attire. You’re not going to be able to take your Bermuda travel wardrobe with you to Iceland and not freeze to death, so keep that in mind. You might want to make several different packing lists, if you’re the organized sort. I tend to keep mine as a Word doc on my computer, where I can leave all my necessary items on and then delete and replace the rest with travel clothing choices that are appropriate for my destination. If you aren’t sure where to start when making a packing list, follow the list below and then go from there or steal some other ideas from websites like TravelSmith or Independent Traveler, which has packing lists they create for different trips.

Underwear

This seems like a given, but it’s one of those things that if you don’t put it on your packing list, you could easily forget. Keep 5 pair for each traveler in a zip-top bag (for freshness) in your bag, that way there’s no chance that you thought you packed them and then get to your destination without any. Socks can also be packed like this. I’m sure you take the same kinds of socks with you on most vacations (unless your destination is really cold and you need special toe-warming ones), so you might as well add these to your bag while you’re at it.

   

Need some ideas on where to take your newly packed bag or looking for more budget travel tips? Find me on Facebook and “like” Shereen Travels Cheap. Click HERE or on the bar at the top of this blog that says “join me”. We are super close to 500 page members and then we’ll be giving away two fantastic Travelon travel bags and if you referred one of the two winners, you’ll receive an iGo multi-charger! You don’t have to live in the U.S. to win, so please join and suggest Shereen Travels Cheap to all your Facebook friends, because the more friends you get to join, the more likely you will be to win one of our great travel prizes!

Toiletries

Shampoo & Conditioner can easily be bought in travel sizes or put in reusable travel bottles and if they don’t get used for months, it’s not a big deal. I know some people like to just buy these at their destination, but I travel prepared for anything. If I have a layover or get stranded, I would like to keep myself clean.

Soap/shower gel. See Shampoo & Conditioner.

Almost all Deodorant brands generally come in smaller travel sticks. If you can’t find them at your local store, look on Minimus.biz. If they don’t have them, you may need to settle for a similar brand, or take a full-size stick, but those take up a lot of room in a toiletry bag.

Toothpaste and toothbrushes are a travel must. We have a set of travel brushes that we keep in the bag at all times. That way, we don’t risk the chance of leaving them behind on the morning of our trip, because we left them in the bathroom. Travel size toothpaste is available almost everywhere. I have so many tubes, you’d think they gave them away free at the airport.

Hair care products always seem to take up so much space. Here’s how you can make them take up less and leave your everyday products at home. Buy an extra set of combs and/or brushes. If you require a comb or brush, buy an extra one that can pack neatly in your toiletry bag.  Obviously combs pack better than brushes, but if you need one, try to get a travel-sized one or a pop-up brush that takes up almost no room. You can find them in the aisle with other travel-sized items.

   

If you curl, blow-dry or straighten your hair, then consider getting smaller versions of those devices that will take up less space. Conair has some wonderful products specifically for travel that have gotten really good reviews. Or you can look for other brands. Look for folding models. You have no idea how much space you can save in a bag when you buy a smaller hair dryer that has a folding handle or even a curling iron that can retract into itself for easy portability.

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If you wear contacts, keep an extra pair in your bag, with a spare case and small bottle of solution. That is a lifesaver anywhere.

Ladies who wear makeup, can buy a new bottle, jar or powder case when the old one has a few weeks of use left in it and put it in their travel bag. I do this with foundation. It is easy to estimate when you will need to go buy or order a new one, so instead of waiting until the last minute, I get a new one earlier, put the old one in my toiletry bag and am set for my next trip. I also keep a crème blush in my bag, to keep from needing to also carry around a brush, and a spare lip balm. I hate getting to my room and then having to dig around in my purse for half of what I want to put on my face. When you receive a gift with purchase, instead of using the samples, throw the mascara and eye shadow in your bag. They are usually smaller, work just as well and are easily replaceable. (Another plus is that if you toss it at the end of your vacation, you won’t feel like you’re wasting anything and you have less to carry on your way home!)

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Easy 3-1-1 bag: Gather all the things that are liquid, gel, paste and whatever else they make you squish in there now and put it all in your plastic bag next to, or inside, your toiletry bag. That way, when travel day comes, you can just put it on the top of your packed items or throw it in your purse to be able to quickly produce it for security. Nothing is worse than when you see people get to the airport without a bag or all their products in 3 different bags or in their carry-on pocket and you end up stuck behind them in line. Preparation is key to whizzing through security and starting your vacation.

Electronics

Now, I know you will be using all or most of your electronic devices during your daily life, so I’m not suggesting you pack up your laptop and iPod weeks or months before you trip. What you CAN do is purchase an iGo multi-charger (or win one via my Facebook page) and keep it in your carry-on with all your essential tips. That way, when you get ready to leave, you don’t have to hunt down chargers for everything AND you save so much space you wouldn’t believe it.  Imagine having to take only one adapter with you everywhere you go, even if you take twelve electronic devices. I don’t have an iGo adapter for my netbook, but you can buy those, too. They seem to take up the same amount of space, so I just make sure to add that to my list of must-haves on my packing list.

Other Useful Travel Items

I tend to have the same items packed for every trip, so now I just leave them in my travel bag all the time.

• Small crank flashlight. You never know when you might need some extra light. These are great, because they are inexpensive and don’t require batteries. I found one at my local Target that’s on a keychain, fits in the palm of your hand and gives enough light off with just a few cranks.
• Pen and paper. Take some notes, play a game, leave a message for the maid. You really can’t go wrong by having this set in your bag. Even if you don’t end up using it, it takes up almost no room.
• Folding, pop-up mesh hamper. I know I’ve sung the praises of these before, but they really are useful. Use as a hamper and a laundry tote for vacations of a week or more. For less than a week, use it to keep all your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones or as a catch-all for your purchases.
• Laundry line. In case you plan to do laundry in your room, or want to save money on dryer costs by bringing back your clean clothes and hanging them to dry in your room. The best ones are the rubbery ones that have a braided line, so you don’t need to bring clothes pins, as the clothing can be held in place by placing them between the plaits.
• Sewing kit. When you only take as many clothes as necessary, you don’t really bring anything extra. It’s imperative that if something happens you can fix it, whether it’s a popped button or an unruly hem.
• Basic first-aid kit. I have a small one that fits in my toiletry bag, but it has all the essentials: band-aids, antibiotic meds, gauze, aspirin, gloves, tweezers…If you fall and break your leg, it won’t help you much, but if you skin your elbow at the pool, you won’t have to shell out $13 on a tube of Neosporin at the hotel gift shop. Great for clumsy people like me or those with kids.
• Anti-bacterial spray and wipes. I like to have both of these on hand. The spray can kill germs on your hands…or anywhere else on your body and in the air and the wipes can be used for the same, on surfaces, to clean up spills or to refresh yourself after a long plane ride. Both are also wonderful if you have kids in tow.
• Compass. Yes, I know this isn’t Boy Scouts, but sometimes, even in a big city, you’re confronted with a map and no real point of reference to where you are. A compass helped us out greatly when trapped in the depths of Kensington Park. The map doesn’t show you trees and benches, so knowing a general direction to head in got us back on track.
• Packable rain jacket. You never know when a downpour will interrupt your vacation, but having a packable jacket can keep you dry and also serve as a light cover-up for a chilly evening, making it more useful and convenient than an umbrella. You can get affordable, lightweight options in a variety of colors. 

             

Creating a Travel Wardrobe

Want to start working on a great travel wardrobe? I have some warm weather and cool weather travel clothing pieces, but lately I've been looking at cold weather destinations and need to stock up on some warmer options. This got me thinking that other people probably want to know what kinds of fabric and brands to look for in a durable and attractive travel wardrobe.

• While cotton is comfortable, it's not always the best option for travel fabric, because it wrinkles and holds odors. Look for items that have soy, bamboo or coolmax. These fabrics wick moisture and are resistant to odors, so if you can't wash your clothes right away, they won't smell up your CLEAN clothes and you can get another wear out of them if you need to. Nylon and rayon are nice lightweight fabrics that are also quick-drying. Wool and fleece are excellent layering fabrics, if you need to keep warm in a cold climate, because they have a tight weave that can be thin and still hold in quite a bit of heat.
• Omni-shield clothing has built-in SPF for sunny locales. Just because your skin is covered up, doesn't mean you can't get sunburned.
•  If you'll be traveling to a destination that is known to have mosquitoes and other bite-y bugs, look for clothing with Insect Shield from ExOfficio. It has built-in bug repellent that can last up to 70 washes.

So, what makes travel clothes better for traveling than your normal wardrobe? This is easy. Travel clothes are made specifically for travel conditions. They are durable, lightweight and super packable. They can also be very versatile and stylish, with great pieces that are made for layering, and are convertible. You can have pants that roll up to make capris or zip-off into shorts. You can buy long sleeve tops that have roll up sleeves to make a short sleeve shirt, so it works for chilly weather or warm weather. There are dresses that can be converted into 20 different styles. Now you can even find reversible clothing, so you can wear one piece two different ways and get more looks out of it. So, where can you find these awesome clothing pieces? Here are a list of my favorite brands.

• Columbia Sportswear
• ExOfficio
• Patagonia
• Mountain Hardwear
• North Face
• Lolë
• GoLite
• Lucy
• Travelsmith

     

      

As you can see I've changed up my page a bit. Now you can find all my sites that I've written for on the sidebar to the right. You can click and go right to my article. I do ask that you take the time to check out the rest of the site while you're there, as they can be very useful for travelers and budgeters alike. There is now a list of my favorite links on the sidebar as well, and you can grab my button, too, if you would like to point others to my blog from your blog or website.

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Romantic Getaway on a Budget 2.2.11

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, I’m sure some of you are racking your brains still for things to buy your Sweetheart. If you had a plan and are totally prepared, why not start thinking about a romantic getaway later in the year or even as an anniversary, birthday or next Valentine’s Day “Wow” vacation? I’m talking, of course, about the most romantic city in the world: Paris. While others may disagree with this title, I think more people than not still want to travel to France to see what they’ve been missing all this time. From the sidewalk cafes to Notre Dame, Paris is really a magical city. There’s so much to see and do that even if you don’t find it extremely romantic, you will find it extremely tourist friendly, with something to see or do around every corner. The only drawback to this great city? Price. Paris can be very spendy if you don’t plan out your trip ahead of time. And don’t let the fact that Euros sound cheaper than British Pounds fool you. Currently, the dollars to Euros exchange rate is 1.36 : 1, meaning 1 Euro = $1.36. Make sure you do the math when trying to figure out your budget. It doesn’t seem like much, but if you forget to add almost 40% to all of your purchases, that is huge!

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So, let’s look at some ways to save in The City of Lights.

Spring, Fall and Winter are good times to travel to France. Anything, but Summer, really. Fall and Winter are going to be the least expensive times and also the least crowded. While shops and museums may be open shorter hours, you will be able to do more than you would in Summer, since tourists are sparse. Another upside: The air will have a chill, meaning you and your sweetie will spend a considerable amount of time snuggled together for warmth.

If you plan to do any real sightseeing in Paris, you should get yourself a Paris Pass. For one reasonable price, you can then skip the lines at many attractions, such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre, and go right in. In fact, over 60 attractions are included with your Paris Pass, making it the most valuable thing you can take with you, besides your passport and loved one. Gain entrance to 55 museums and monuments (unfortunately, the Eiffel Tower is not included), amazing attractions, like the Seine River Cruise, unlimited travel on the metro, buses and RER within Central Paris, an awesome guidebook and coupons for dining and shopping.

Just looking to take a few relaxing days out wandering the streets? Well, that’s a great way to save money, especially since there are so many things to walk around and see without having to pay entrance fees. Stroll the Champs de Elysee, take pictures of the Arc and the outside of Notre Dame, cross the bridges over the Seine, buy a baguette or crepe from a street vendor, enjoy the sculptures outside of the Louvre and on and on. 

One of my favorite memories, which may seem odd, was our trip to Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust and other notable historical figures have been buried here. It’s free to enter and they’ll even give you a map to guide you around. There is a donation box, and I suggest tossing in a couple of Euros, just for being able to walk among the mausoleums, tombstones and memorials. It’s simply amazing, the money and craftsmanship that went into the houses of the dead. We spent around three hours walking up and down the pathways and taking pictures of the magnificent structures and reading about those who were buried there and didn’t even see half of the grounds. It’s definitely a cheap day, but also very interesting. I plan to make another trip when I return. (Kudos to my husband for planning that day and including the cemetery, otherwise I would never have seen it.)

It’s pretty easy to get around town on public transportation. While it’s not as easy as it is in London and other big cities, mostly just because there aren’t as many stops, it’s still a great way to get from one place to another and also get your walking and exercise in once you arrive at your destination. Paris is a wonderful walking city. With everything to see, you won’t even realize how many miles you’ve put on your walking shoes…until you finally decide to sit down and get lunch somewhere. If you don’t invest in a Paris Pass, get yourself a daily or weekly Metro pass. It will save you money from buying each pass individually and make it much easier to keep track of.



Photo courtesy of Brad Jennings

Find delicious places to eat on a budget! This one is so easy, I wish I had the options last time I was there. Food can really add up, especially if, like me, you didn’t do your homework and assumed there would be amazing food everywhere you turned. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so. Check out these options for finding and booking meals in Paris and saving money while doing it!

• TopTable.com: Not only can you make reservations online with TopTable, but you can see diner reviews, menus, get big discounts and accrue points for each reservation you complete to earn your way to a free dining certificate. Even if you’re already in the city and want to have lunch in an hour, make your reservation just to get the points credited to your account when you check in.
• Groupon: Sign up for this deal-a-day site and get emails each day with the new deal. It can be entertainment, dining, personal services, shopping or more. The point is, there is plenty that Groupon has to offer that might be relevant and useful to your trip. Many of the selections are 50% off, so already that’s a significant saving on one aspect of your travel day.

• KGB Deals: Another great deal-a-day site like Groupon. I've seen many great deals for dining in Paris. 

Get a vacation rental instead of booking a hotel room. This is especially good if you’re planning to spend a week or more in Paris. Weekly rates are cheaper than nightly rates and can offer significant savings over hotel rates. I think I’ve raved about the pros and cons of these enough, so just check out these links to find some awesome deals.

Win a week long trip for 2 to Paris from CityPASS, Facebook and Nile Guide.

So, you didn’t already plan a getaway or buy a gift and you can’t put together a trip to Paris in a week and a half? What’s that? You’re not made of money? Don’t worry. Most of us aren’t, which is why this blog exists. So, for those of you that need a little help to stretch your budget, these deals are available and might be able to keep you out of the doghouse (unless you’re lucky and Valentine’s Day isn’t a big deal in your house and your Sweetie is happy with a kiss).

Spend a few days in Las Vegas. Sure, Vegas doesn’t scream ROMANTIC, but there are plenty of things you can do there that can up the love vibes:

• Book a table for two at The Eiffel Tower Restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas for a fantastic French meal and view of the lights of Vegas. You can almost forget you’re not in Paris.
• Score two tickets to the Cirque du Soleil Beatles show Love playing at the Mirage. You can find tickets on discount through BroadwayBox.
• Ask the hotel to add a bottle of champagne and some chocolate covered strawberries to your bill and have them waiting in your room when you get there.
• Check out a steamy show like Folies Bergere, Fantasy, X Burlesque, Striptease or Crazy Horse.
•  Stroll through the streets of Paris and New York inside both Paris Resort & Casino and New York New York. Stop to buy a baguette or sit at a sidewalk café to sip a cappuccino.
• O solo mio! Take your significant other on a gondola ride through Italy at the Venetian. 
• Find a room at a respectable hotel on The Strip with Orbitz from $49/night.

Purchase a lovely bouquet of flowers through your preferred Frequent Flyer program. You may get a discount, but you’ll definitely earn miles towards your next trip. (Hint: Search for coupon codes on ev'reward and retailmenot.)

Keep the love going. Celebrate V-Day a few days later and book a beautiful fireplace room at the Carmel Resort Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea (Carmel, California) outside theSan Francisco area for half off regular rates. Stay for just $59 per night, including breakfast. Book by February 8 for weekday stays from February 15 through March 31. Hurry! Rooms are selling out fast.

Get up to 50% off romantic getaways, like beach resorts, from Orbitz, plus free nights, incentives and more!

Make restaurant reservations wherever you are with OpenTable or TopTable. Find discounts and earn points toward future dining.

As you can see I've changed up my page a bit. Now you can find all my sites that I've written for on the sidebar to the right. You can click and go right to my article. I do ask that you take the time to check out the rest of the site while you're there, as they can be very useful for travelers and budgeters alike. There is now a list of my favorite links on the sidebar as well, and you can grab my button, too, if you would like to point others to my blog from your blog or website.

Do you have a travel site/blog that you’d like me to write a travel article for? Contact me here and give me details. I’d love to do it!

School’s Out For Summer 1.29.11

When you start humming Alice Cooper’s catchy song and thinking of sunshine, beaches and sprinklers, it’s time for Summer Vacation. Unfortunately, you need to start thinking about your plans long before the leaves start turning green and flowers start to bloom. In fact, if you haven’t been making plans for June, July or August already, you need to start doing it now! It’s very hard to save on trips in these months, unless you can do so at the very beginning of June or the very end of August. Of course, this is also when kids are still in school, which is why they make it so unattainable. If you can’t afford to spend twice as much on a vacation just because you have to do it during Summer Break, let me show you some ways to lower your costs and try to get the budget under control. Nothing ruins a trip more than knowing you’ve had to max out your credit cards to do it and will probably have to eat ramen for two months when you get back to make up for it. You’re not a college student with a paper route, so let’s look at some ways that you can be an adult and not go into too much debt with this family vacation you’ve been looking forward to all year.

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Airfare deals are plentiful right now! Many of them are good through Summer, so pick a week (or two) you want to travel and snatch them up ASAP. Airfare is generally going to be your biggest expense, so if you can book right now, do it. I’ve seen airfare drop as low as $29 each way, but you can find affordable deals to Europe, Mexico, Canada and the U.S. right now, so better to buy it now when you see a low rate than wait until they drop. Here’s a piece of advice: the closer you get to Summer months, the higher rates will go. You aren’t the only one who wants to travel at this time, the whole travel industry knows it, so rates steadily climb from February on. Also, that great deal you just found may not be there in the morning, so don’t hesitate to book when you see it.

Need some ideas on where to go on your Summer vacation or looking for more budget travel tips? Find me on Facebook and “like” Shereen Travels Cheap. Click HERE or on the bar at the top of this blog that says “join me”. We are super close to 500 page members and then we’ll be giving away two fantastic Travelon travel bags and if you referred one of the two winners, you’ll receive an iGo multi-charger! You don’t have to live in the U.S. to win, so please join and suggest Shereen Travels Cheap to all your Facebook friends, because the more friends you get to join, the more likely you will be to win one of our great travel prizes!

Double your chances of getting reasonable plane fare by booking flights that travel on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday. Also, look for airfare on Tuesdays and Wednesday, as those are the days the new prices are posted and, therefore, the cheapest. If you happen to see a rockin’ deal for an airline that either doesn’t fly our of your airport (i.e. AirTran or JetBlue) or will give you no benefit for your current frequent flyer account, chances are the bigger airlines will jump on that sale and offer the same prices, but usually for a limited time with only a handful of seats per flight, so watch for those and then book right away in order to take advantage of those sales.

It’s summer, which means you don’t need to take much with you. Getting everything in a carry-on will save you checked bag fees and also get you on your vacation as soon as possible after your plane lands. Keep your travel wardrobe to a minimum by taking one nice outfit and then several tops and bottoms that mix and match. This way, even if you took only 3 tops and 3 bottoms, they could make two week’s worth of different outfits. I then suggest taking two pair of shoes that will work with your outfits as well. Normally, I take a nice pair of sandals that can also work with dress clothes and a good pair of walking shoes. This way, you will be prepared for anything. Throw in a pair of flip flops (which I don’t count as shoes, since they take up almost no space) and you’re set for bumming around on the beach or at the pool.

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Look for an apartment/condo/house rental instead of a hotel. I keep saying this, but it really can save you a lot of money. Many times you can find something for $300-400 per week, when most hotels you find are going to be well over $75/night, and that’s only for two people. On top of the savings per night and per person, you’ll also be able to shop for your own food and make as many meals as you like. I tend to like to buy breakfast fixings, because I don’t usually like to go out for breakfast and I don’t like to rush in the morning. I can eat a bowl of cereal or a bagel while I’m getting ready for the day and I’ve saved at least $8/day just for me alone. A lot of restaurants charge more than that. Heck, you could easily spend that much at Starbucks for a muffin and a coffee. And if you come back in the middle of the day for a nap or to rest your feet, you can make yourself a sandwich for lunch, too!

How else can you save by renting an apartment/condo/house instead of getting a hotel room? Well, there’s always the free parking that’s sure to be included. Then, there’s your sanity. You’re not confined to one room with two beds and a TV with four feet of space to walk around in, where the only privacy you get is when you use the bathroom. Most vacation rental properties have a sitting area, a dining area and bedrooms, so if you’re sick of looking at other people, grab your book or handheld gaming device and go in another room. Being with people 24/7 can really make you cranky sometimes. Even if you’re just hanging out at the kitchen table playing on your computer while someone else is watching TV fifteen feet away, it can really make you feel like you have breathing room. It helps you relax, which is what vacation should be about. (Below are some useful sites to find vacation rentals)

• VRBO
• FlipKey
• HomeAway
• RedWeek

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Going to the beach? You know you’re not the only one that thinks this is a good idea, right? No, you and millions of other people want to pack their swimming suits and sunscreen and lie on the beach and play in the water. Fake them out! Trade in the ocean for a nice lakeside location. Not only will it be a fraction of the price of an oceanfront property (or even an ocean“view” one), but you can do almost the same things you can otherwise. You can lay out on the beach, make sandcastles, go snorkeling, fishing, swimming, jet skiing and almost everything else you can do at the beach by the ocean.

Travel to cold-weather locations. While it may still be popular, it will be a little less crowded there. When the Northern Hemisphere is in Summer, the Southern Hemisphere is in Winter. This can work in your favor if you aren’t set on catching some rays in your bikini.

Skip flying and take a road trip. I love a road trip, but if you don’t have unlimited time to get to your destination, it may be inconvenient, and it may not save you money if it takes you 3 days to make it there. Between gas and lodging, you’ll have to weigh your options. Don’t forget to take into account any family feuds that happen anytime you’re in the car for more than 20 minutes. If you all can get along and get with the spirit of road travel, this can save considerably…plus, the journey can be part of your vacation if you plan many fun stops along the way, which is half the fun of road tripping! Sure, Trees of Mystery of the World’s Largest Thermometer may seem hokey, but they can actually be really fun if you have a good attitude and count them among “attractions” to see on your way to Disneyland, or wherever you happen to be traveling to.

Take a cruise out of your home port. Of course, this only applies to those people who live near a cruise port, like Los Angeles, Seattle, Orlando and Miami. Of course, there are a lot of port locations, and if you can take advantage of just driving across town, or, even better, being dropped off, you can save hundreds of dollars per person by not requiring a plane ride. It also means your cruise vacation can start right away! Many people don’t really take advantage of the travel and sightseeing opportunities in their own area. My family likes to be tourists in our own community, so we travel all over just to see what cool stuff we have around us. This has saved us money many times when wanting to get away for a few days or even for the afternoon. If we could cruise out of our own town, we would have done it many times already.

So, now that you have some ideas how to get the best deal on your Summer Vacation, start making your plans right away. Talk to your family and nail down a few destination choices. If you can find a deal to any of them, seize them right away and then you can sit back and relax while you fill in the rest of your itinerary. Then, use TripIt to organize all your confirmations, addresses and phone numbers and share with all your travel companions and friends who might want to see what you’ll be doing each day. Keep all your info at your fingertips by printing out your schedule and/or accessing it via your smart phone, so you’re always on time and have everything necessary to keep your trip going smoothly. (And don’t forget to call and confirm any lodging reservations a week or two before you travel. You may have a confirmation number and email, but it’s better to just be safe since computer systems can glitch.)

One last idea: Portland, Oregon has been named as the #1 Summer Vacation destination by Travel + Leisure. Now, I may be biased because I live here, but with all the festivals, day trips, shopping opportunities and awesome residents, I would have to say I agree and that everyone should visit the Northwest at least once. Our summers aren’t too hot and you’re sure to have a very relaxed and fun stay. Check out what you can do in the summer months here with What's On When.

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Coming soon: Tax Day is coming! Put that money to good use by earmarking it for travel! It’s like an instant vacation fund! Let me show you some of the best deals of the moment that can get you the most bang for your tax refund.

Do you wish this blog had even more budget travel tips? If you already subscribe and follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter, then why not check out some of these sites that were super welcoming to me and let me write posts for them? I hope to do more in the near future, but if you haven’t already read my posts for these sites, please do. Also, give them some love by poking around their sites and maybe even subscribing to them, too.

My Itchy Travel Feet

Do you have a travel site/blog that you’d like me to write a travel article for? Contact me here and give me details. I’d love to do it!