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70. A good piece of advice.
When dealing with vacation shopping, declarations, receipts and customs officials: Having it all in one-place speeds up the process. If shopping is part of your travel endeavor and enjoyment on your trip, pack a flat fabric bag in the bottom of your suitcase.
When returning from your trip place all the purchased items in this bag. Everything is accessible and saves you time and money! If not, at the very least, you have made one official’s life a little easier today and your reward will be a smile, stamp and a nod!
71. Personal identification tags or information for all travelers, especially young kids! It does not hurt to keep a list of credit card numbers, telephone numbers, and driver license information in a convenient location such as a purse or wallet. You never know when you might need it to either prove your identity, for a major purchase or car rental, in emergencies and numerous other reasons. A resourceful traveler is always prepared for anything!
72. Dental care kits. Most people think of a toothbrush and toothpaste, maybe even floss and mouthwash. But did you ever stop to think of taking an ‘emergency dental kit” when you travel?
Some items in this customized, personalized dental kit could include: aspirin or aspirin substitute, small container of hydrogen peroxide and water, dental floss, a dental mirror, and gauze. If you do have a medical or dental emergency, get and ask for references and discuss costs and coverage in full with your chosen or available provider.
73. A unique suggestion for the budget-wise traveler is to keep a spending log as you go about your shopping endeavors. List all of your purchases. Include what you paid in foreign currency and the equivalent in U.S. dollars. No time wasted calculating customs duties and fees. The added bonus is everything is at your fingertips when the time comes to do the next travel budget! You will be one-step ahead this time round and even better prepared.
74. Pre-paid phone cards are a great idea for gifts for travelers. They are a good alternative to long distance from your hotel-room, cabin or any-place else on location where you find yourself vacationing. Today people also choose to use cell phones and text-messages to stay in touch and remain connected. Both are good options to save money while traveling.
75. A budget-travel provider provides us with this quote: “Remember this advice for sightseers: Never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, and never pass up a chance to use the bathroom” Translated into our model, savor every opportunity, embrace every chance provided that does not cost you anything, embrace hospitality, gifts and extended generosity. A nickel and a dime here and there saves dollars in the end!
76. Secure and make change as soon as you can after arriving at your destination. This will avoid having to revert to your smaller denomination bills and tipping with a heavy hand and even heavier heart! This is a sure way not to deplete your incidental travel budget category.
77. Another nutritional tip to save some money: Do not skip meals in order to save money! It is mostly counter-productive as most possibly, you would need medication for headaches as your blood-sugar drops and overall it is not worthwhile jeopardizing the rest of your trip in this fashion.
It is in fact not economizing and SMART traveling at all skipping meals. Travel activity and sightseeing takes energy. Fuel your human engine. Fresh fruit and local produce offer good alternatives to fast food or hefty restaurant bills.
78. Special dietary requirements need special budgeting and attention to detail. Specifying this up-front is crucial to avoid any surcharges and or additional cost for special meals. For most travel providers it is no problem. Shopping at a local grocer, market or deli are all ways to stretch that “meal” ticket and travel dollar just a little further. If you are in a self-contained unit with its own kitchen and fridge, you can cut your costs even further by buying some essentials and snacks, small meals in-room will cut down meal and entertainment expenses tremendously.
79. Be SMART and check all details of tourist locations and attractions, pricing and more before departing to the location or event. Always check the admission and operating hours. It is very disappointing to find things closed when you expect them to be open. Remember to check on special holidays as well. Do not spend or waste the money on the ground-transportation to get your all the way there and back - only to be deeply disappointed!
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