fbpx

Fine-Tuned Finances

Make Your Wallet Run Like New Again

Rental Car Hacks That’ll Save You More Money on Thanksgiving

By

Thanksgiving

When I was a kid and my family rented a car, we rented a car and that was it. In the 21st century however, there are just too many ways for you to save money when renting a car. Especially if you’ll be traveling during Thanksgiving.

About 49 million people are expected to drive to their Thanksgiving destinations this year. Also, most of those travelers will travel 50 miles or more round trip.

Considering that the average per-day price to rent a car is $75, and that rental car companies will always try to upsell you extras, your Thanksgiving travel costs can add up significantly.

Here are some rental car hacks to save you more money this Thanksgiving travel season.

Prepay Your Rental Online

When you rent a car online, almost all rental car companies give you two payment options and two different corresponding prices. You can pay a cheaper price by prepaying online before pick-up. Or, pay the regular rental price as you get the keys.

You can save over 20% or more prepaying online for your rental. Those savings increase exponentially if you rent a car for three days or more.

Comparison Shop on Aggregation Coupon Websites

You can save as much as 60% or more on rental costs by comparison shopping on various online coupon and consumer deal aggregation websites. Also look for promo codes which give you extra savings after purchase.

Of, course, you can go directly to the rental car company website, but aggregation deal sites allow you to comparison shop better.

Such sites include:

Rent From the City, Not the Airport

If you’re flying somewhere for Thanksgiving but still need to drive after landing, resist getting your rental car at the airport. Rental car offices are located in airports for a reason.

It’s not for your convenience.

When you rent a car from the airport you will pay up to 30% or more relative to picking up a car from an office outside the airport.

Take a cab or mass transit to the nearest rental car office in the city.

Reserve a Subcompact and Then Decline

Subcompact cars are not popular with most renters. Some companies don’t own enough in their fleets to cover demand in various office locations. You may be able to use that your advantage.

Reserve a subcompact in person at an office. If the company doesn’t have one, they may bluff and ask you to upgrade for a fee. Decline. Then, the company will be obliged to upgrade you to a medium or economy sized car for free.

Use caution. If a subcompact car is available, you are not obliged to take it. However, you will have egg on your face and then have to pay for an upgrade anyway.

Don’t pull the subcompact bait-and-switch gambit overseas either. Subcompacts are more popular overseas than in the United States.

Forego the Insurance if You’re Already Covered

Your primary car insurance policy will probably cover you when you rent a car. Know for sure before renting. Most credit cards offer free rental car insurance coverage if you rent with the credit card offering such.

You might save as much as $40 daily by forgoing rental insurance.

Rent the Car, Not the Brand Name

If you rent from one of the lesser-known rental car companies, you could save $5 or more daily. Such meager savings add up on longer trips.

Some of the lesser-known rental car companies include:

  • Advantage
  • Thrifty
  • Dollar Rental
  • Payless Car Rental
  • E-Z Rent-A-Car
  • Fox Rent-A-Car
  • Easirent
  • Sixt
  • Silvercar

Fox Rent-a-Car may be 50% cheaper for you to rent from than a brand name company. Silvercar only maintains Audis in their rental fleet which keeps their rental prices relatively low.

Keep proper perspective when renting from lesser-known rental car companies. The cars may be aesthetically unpleasing, rental offices may be located in inconvenient locations, and office staff may be obligated to aggressively upsell you on extras.

Don’t Take Overpaying for Granted

It’s hard to get through life without renting a car. This is especially so if you must travel every holiday season to be with relatives.

So, you have every incentive to save as much as possible when renting. Take advantage of every possible deal, discount, or hack available.

Read More

ARE CREDIT CARDS A GOOD SOURCE FOR RENTAL CAR INSURANCE?

CAR RENTAL FACTS THAT CAN COST YOU MORE THAN YOU THINK

WANT TO SAVE MONEY WHEN RENTING A CAR?

 

Making Vacation Dollars Last – Paraguay

By

Isn’t odd that we go on vacation to relax and get away from it all yet going on vacation can be one of the most stressful experiences that you can go through. Have you ever tried checking in at a major American airport lately? I am surprised holding people upside down and shaking them to see what comes out of their pockets isn’t a new security procedure.

Just getting to your destination without developing a massive stress headache should be considered an Olympic-level achievement. However, it is usually just the beginning of travel-related personal stresses like costliness, and activity time-constraints. Once of the easiest ways to burn money quickly is to go on vacation to a place with a high cost of living.

I am from New York City. There are New Yorkers who own one or two cars and then take mass transit every day to work because of the high cost of living. Imagine what the average out-of-towner or international tourist pays to visit. The average cost of a 5-star or elite hotel room in Manhattan is about $260 to $320 per night.

The High Cost of Vacation

Since most people travel during peak travel season, a time when almost everyone who is able to travel attempts to do so, everything is more expensive. A couple or family of four who go on vacation usually spends almost $5,000 on a getaway. Incredibly, over 75% of vacationers then go on to assume $1,100 in debt to augment their vacation budgets. The best way to counter the high cost of vacation is to consider the currency rate. Strategically research which countries offer the best exchange rates when you convert your native currency against the local currency.

Paraguay

$1 USD = 6,098 Paraguayan Guarani

Paraguay is fully landlocked developing country in South America. It is bordered by Bolivia to the north, Argentina to its east, and Brazil to its west. Paraguay is so low key as a tourist destination that many people have not heard of it. It is a very safe country with a tortured war history.  After the Paraguayan War of the 19th century, the country lost most of its male population.

The country opened up its borders to foreigners who wished to become homesteaders or citizens. If you wanted to, its relatively easy to set up residency in Paraguay relative to other countries. Also, the currency exchange has been increasingly in the dollar’s favor for more than half a decade. This is a beautifully rustic country with a lot of natural landscape beauty like lakes, waterfalls, and architecture attesting to its colonialist past.

Amambay Hills near Villarrica features ancient cave paintings that date back thousands of years. Or, you can explore the Mennonite community in Filadelfia and taste their artisanal ice creams. A plane ticket to Asuncion cost $700, or less, round-trip in late summer and before the holiday season. You can stay at the Premier Hill Suites hotel for $38 per night, or $304 for 8 nights.

The Gran Hotel Parana costs $41 per night, or $328 for 8 nights. There are no hostels in Paraguay, but there are a lot of budget hotels.

How Long Will Your Vacation Dollars Last?

A $6,000 vacation budget goes a long way in Paraguay. If welcoming, tourist bereft locales in a country rich with natural landscapes, an eclectic culture, and a great currency exchange rate doesn’t sound enticing, consider other places. Make your money last as much as possible when traveling. If you do go to Paraguay, try kivevé. It’s a custard-style dish made with a local pumpkin called, “andai”, sugar, milk, and cheese.

Read More

Pros and Cons of In-Ground Pool Installation

Budget Travel Guide Summer 2019 – Cambodia and Nepal

Road Trips Are Just as Expensive As Fancy Hotel Stays

Budget Travel Guide Summer 2019 – Cambodia and Nepal

By

I have been traveling since 1996 or 1997. The first country I ever visited was Germany. I was part of a volunteer workcamp program. In a program called C.I.E.E. I volunteered my time to work on a social project with other volunteers in exchange for staying in a dorm and getting free food. There was an application fee and I paid for my plane ticket, but it was an affordable way to travel then.

This was about half a decade before Germany had adopted the Euro as its official currency in 2002. I didn’t even think about currency exchange rates or saving enough money to enjoy a trip responsibly then. In fact, the last time I was in Germany was in 2013, and I still hadn’t learned my lesson about saving money and exchange rates. I was couch-surfing through Europe through the generosity of some friends and it was just such an aimless experience.

It’s hard to appreciate adventure when your main adventure is trying to save enough money to get to your departure airport. I was irresponsible. But many people who save enough money and go to all the familiar vacation spots may also be setting themselves up for failure. The average person spends about $4,700 when they go on a two-week plus vacation.

Almost 74% of people go into debt by the tune of $1,100 just for vacation. You only get one vacation a year. What is the sense to save money and go into debt just to go somewhere where exchange rates against your favor eats up your money faster than you spend it? Why not go somewhere exotic where you can enjoy a large spending budget due to the currency exchange working for you?

Cambodia

$1 USD = 4,071 Cambodian Riels

Cambodia is a developing country with tragic war-torn past that it is still healing from even now, generations later. The country has incredible cuisine, a bustling nightlife, exotic jungles, and incredibly pristine white sand beaches. Make sure you try the country’s signature dish, fish amok. It’s a creamy curry of fish, eggs, fish sauce, coconut milk, palm sugar, and spices cooked and served in a banana leaf.

You can visit many river villages to buy food and souvenirs, like the Chong Khneas, for less than $15. Also, you can stay in multiple 5-Star hotels for $35 to $60 a night. For example, you can stay at the 5-Star NagaWorld hotel in Phnom Penh for $59 a night, or for $531 for 9 nights. You can fly to Phnom Penh, the capital, for less than $600 in late August.

Nepal

$1 USD = 110 Nepal Rupees

The history of Nepal as a country probably dates back as far as 2,500 years. Nepal has eight of the tallest mountain peaks in the world. Most people who want to climb Mount Everest usually do so through Nepal. The country is still rebuilding after the devastating 2015 quake but is renowned for its friendly people and adventure tourism industry.
I would recommend visiting the temples of Kathmandu. Make sure you try a sel roti, which is basically a Nepalese version of the donut.

You can stay at the 4-Star Dahlia Boutique in Pokhara for $38 a night, or, $339 for 9 nights. You can fly to the capital Kathmandu in late August or early September for $700 to $800.

Off-Peak Travelling

If you are willing to wait until later in the year, during off-peak season travel for example, then you can travel a lot more cheaply. It’s the middle of summer right now. Every person on Earth is trying to go somewhere, so the laws of supply and demand are in effect with all travel-related businesses. Be one of the few travelers who thinks about currency rates before hitting the road.

Read More

5 Smart Ways to Save Money When Traveling with Kids

Save Money On Vacations With These Fall Travel Tips

Spend Less On Travel With These Packing Tips

Road Trips Are Just as Expensive As Fancy Hotel Stays

By

I loved Chris Farley, the late comedian and movie star who rose to fame in the early 1990s on Saturday Night Live. Farley was known for creating iconic characters, but my favorite was Matt Foley. Foley was a so-called, “motivational speaker,” who strove to inspire young troublemakers to do better in life.  The punchline to Matt Foley’s character was that he was a man who failed at life, was homeless and had no redeeming characteristics that would motivate anyone to be like him.

He was the opposite of what a motivational speaker should be, namely successful. Foley would warn people to not be like him. The punchline slogan of the character, which he would scream into other people’s faces, was that he survived on government assistance, was three-times divorced, and was, “living in a van down by the river!” I was a teen when I first saw this character on TV.

So, I laughed at the tone delivery of the line more than at its actual meaning. I knew absolutely nothing about the responsibilities of life, personal finances, and the need to meticulously monitor both. What I first watched that character, I wasn’t mature. I didn’t get the seriousness of Foley’s lot in life. It took a few more years of maturity for me to realize that Matt Foley failed in life.

He was living in a van down by the river to save money on everyday necessities. Farley’s character is still hilarious to me but now also a little tragic. I am mentioning all of this because I think of Matt Foley every time I’m tempted to take a long-tour road trip.

The Financial Realities of Road Trips

Who doesn’t dream of long-tour road trips in a van or RV traveling the country? However, you can tell the difference between someone who only dreams about such things, contemplates it, and who has done it. Short term road trips are basically affordable. However, if you want to take a long-term, multi-state road trip, you need to have a lot of money saved.

In fact, you may better off vacationing at a 4-star or 5-star hotel for a few days. It will be more convenient, comfortable, and cost just as much. A full-sized van that you can live in might cost anywhere from $4,000 for an older model and up to $30,000, or more, for a newer model. A basic RV can cost anywhere from $10,000 to about $300,000 for a luxury model.

There are many RV, trailer, and van-friendly campgrounds with utility hookups that you can visit on your trip. You can get access to electricity, hot water and showers, WiFi services, and various supplies. However, such places typically charge $50 to $60 nightly. You could end up spending up to $500-a-week or almost $1,800-a-month at one of these places.

Did I mention the cost of gas? The average cost of gasoline is about $2.75 a gallon. At Fuel Economy.gov, you can calculate the cost of gas for your road trip. Consider that for a trip from New York City to San Francisco the total gasoline bill could cost up to $744, depending on the vehicle model. It will cost a lot more for an RV.

Outline a Plan

It is not my intent to dissuade you from taking a road trip. My point is that the longer your road trip continues, the more money you’ll have to pay to sustain your needs. The truth is that a vacation package with airfare and hotel stays included might be cheaper. Pay attention to the day-to-day expenses of road trip living. Or, chance ending up living in a van down by the river just to get by.

Read More

Cheap Spring Break Vacations Are Easy With These Tips

Save Money On Vacations With These Fall Travel Tips

4 Unexpected Expenses That Burn Up Your Vacation Budget

 

Panning For Gold is an Affordable Adventure

By

Why has the idea that Americans must spend exorbitant amounts of money to have an exciting vacation penetrated the national consciousness? Americans endure 50 weeks of work, saving all the while, just to then spend too much money on vacation. In fact, many Americans willingly go into debt just to pay for their vacations. The average American family spends about $4,800 to go on vacation once a year.

Additionally, about 75% of Americans will then borrow money, or use a credit card, to have extra vacation money. Most Americans go into vacation debt by about $1,100. Some are inclined to spend more money just to experience a luxurious vacation.  Having a great vacation means so much to most Americans, most go out of their way to make sure that they spend more on it than their monthly mortgage payment.

It doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re looking for affordable ways to have a fun vacation this year, you could try panning for gold. There are many places where you can affordably do so.

Reed Gold Mine Charlotte, North Carolina

The world’s first legally documented gold mine claim was staked here in 1799. Way back then, Conrad Reed was walking along the banks of the Little Meadow Creek. A shiny, reflective substance caught his attention in the water. It was a large, 17-pound gold nugget. Contrary to popular belief, gold panning began in the eastern United States.  The famed gold rush of the west would begin much later on in 1848.

People have been pulling gold nuggets, flakes, and particulates of varying sizes from Little Meadow Creek ever since. Admission is reportedly just $2. You can also learn about other methods of extracting gold from land as well.

Black Hills Forest South Dakota

Various deposits of gold were discovered in Deadwood Creek in 1876. Deadwood Creek is located in the Black Hills Forest of South Dakota. Panning for gold is an activity that is still conducted to this day. Large swathes of the Black Hills Forest are located on public land, so you don’t have to worry about trespassing. Just remember to bring your own hiking and panning equipment.

You will be charged for admission. Admission costs varies on the area in which you want to pan.

Alabama Gold Camp Alabama

You can pan for gold and other precious materials at Alabama Gold Camp. Along with gold, you can search for precious gemstones like garnet or citrine. You can also look for precious metals using a metal detector. Or, you can spend time looking for Native American artifacts or the fossils of long extinct animals Admission is $5 a person. Children under the age of 11 accompanied with an adult are admitted for free.

A camping ground is available for use for $5 a day, or $30 a day for RVs. You can buy panning and outdoor gear at the general store located on the premises. Cabins fitted with modern conveniences, like a bathroom, washing machine, WiFi, and DVD player, are available for $75 a day.

Affordable and Fun

Panning for gold is an activity that should cost you a lot less than $4,800. It’s fun, will help you get some exercise, and will give you some unique bragging rights when you get back. Also keep in mind that gold is selling for about $1,275 an ounce, just for some added motivation.

Read More

5 Smart Ways to Save Money When Traveling with Kids

Save Money On Vacations With These Fall Travel Tips

Summer Travel Tips That Keep More Money In Your Pocket

Safeguarding Your Future: A Comprehensive Review Of Augusta Precious Metals

How to Cut the Cost of Your Commute

By

Cut the Cost of Your Commute

If you’re like most people, you work hard for your money. This makes it all the more frustrating when you lose part of those hard-earned funds on your commute.

For many people, commuting merely is part of life. In fact, about 86 percent of Americans commute by car to work. It can also be a budget buster, with transportation costs often ranking as the second largest expense households have to manage.

Luckily, there are ways to bring these costs down. If you are ready to cut the cost of your commute, here’s how to get started. [Read more…]

5 Smart Ways to Save Money When Traveling with Kids

By

mother-84628_1920Whether it’s vacation season or not, traveling can get pretty expensive especially if you like to take family trips. Since traveling is a highly sought after experience and a great way to bond with your family and friends and experience new things, it’s no wonder why you might want to take your kids on a trip even though it might cause costs to shoot up.

If you plan on doing any traveling with kids over the next few months, make sure you utilize these tips to save money.

1.Pack Snacks

Whether you are flying or driving, be sure to pack plenty of snacks because kids get hungry often. You can stop by the dollar store and load up on a few snacks for a long car ride, or stuff some items into your carry-on so you won’t want to worry about paying for expensive food. Most airlines will offer complimentary drinks and a light snack at minimum, but it doesn’t hurt to bring along your child’s favorite crackers in case they get a little hungry later.

2. Purchase Souvenirs Ahead of Time

My son loves getting toys and whenever I travel he always asks me to bring him back something which is completely fine and I’m happy to do it. While I avoid gift shops in the airport because they are expensive, I don’t mind checking out local discount shops for souvenirs because they have some great prices.

On the other hand, souvenirs at resorts and amusement parks tend to be super high. If you are planning to visit somewhere like the San Diego Zoo or Disney World, you might actually want to order some souvenirs online that match the theme for a cheaper price, like play animals, Disney characters, etc. That way when your child asks for something, you’ll already have it on hand so they don’t feel left out.

3. Try Driving Instead of Flying

Unless you have credit card reward points, driving may be cheaper than flying because you just have to pay for gas and/or a rental car and you can bring as many people as you can fit in the car instead of paying for just one person.

If you do need to fly to get to your destination, cash in any credit card rewards and frequent flier miles, start saving up early, and be on the lookout for flash sales. I know the Southwest Rapid Rewards card offer the Southwest companion pass to frequent fliers so you can allow one person to fly with you for free.

4. Consider AirBnb

If you have a busy itinerary and want to focus your budget on spending for activities, you might want to save a significant amount on lodging by trying AirBnb. AirBnb allows you to rent local rooms, houses, and apartments often for a cheaper rate than hotels in the area.

Plus, most properties are equipped with things you would regularly have in your home like a television, cable, internet, a fully functional kitchen with dishes and more. This will allow you to save even more money by cooking some of your meals at the property.

5. Take Advantage of Kids’ Specials and Discounts

Since you might do some dining out during your trip, try to check out restaurants that have ‘kids eat free’ specials and discounts. Depending on which attractions are on your list, you might be able to receive free admission or discounted admission for younger kids as long as there is a paid adult for each free ticket.

There are quite a few ways to save money when traveling with kids so if you’ve been longing to take a family trip, don’t let fear of costs hold you back from traveling.

How do you save money when traveling with kids?

Cheap Spring Break Vacations Are Easy With These Tips

By

Spring Break is coming up fast. If you have not already made plans, time is running out to get the best deals on airfare and lodging. Fortunately, there are many ways available to cut the cost of your Spring Break vacations. Here are some tips that will help you save money and enjoy cheap Spring Break vacations.

Pack Only What You Need

Hauling around a bunch of stuff during Spring Break is no fun. Pack light and fit everything in the smallest bag possible so you don’t waste a lot of time and energy toting things around. Airlines charge a lot of money for additional and oversized bags, so packing light will save you money as well.

Stay Outside Of Tourist Areas

Many people do not realize that choosing a hotel or motel just outside of a popular tourist area can save them as much as half off their lodging costs. Instead of staying in an overpriced, crowded area, consider staying farther away and traveling the rest of the distance by subway, bus, or taxi. The transportation costs will be far lower than the cost of staying in the tourist area.

Make A Dining Plan

Planning where to eat and estimating the costs ahead of time will help you stay within budget and save money on food during your trip. Focus on local restaurants, which often have better food and lower prices than large national chains. A quick search online will show you dining options available around your destination.

Take A Trip To The Grocery Store

Visiting a local grocery store at the beginning of your vacation can save you a lot of money during your trip. Snack and drinks are much more expensive when purchased at a hotel or from a vendor than they are at the grocery store. Stock up on your favorites and keep some snacks close at hand to munch on when you get hungry.

Seek Out Local Favorites

Another way to guarantee fun, cheap Spring Break vacations is to seek out local favorites instead of just doing what all of the other tourists do. Visit local museums, try unique restaurants, and take in free or low cost shows from local artists. The whole point of traveling is immersing yourself in the culture of an unfamiliar place and there is no better way to do that than doing what the locals do.

Take Advantage Of Student Discounts

Many attractions, like theme parks, museums, and zoos, offer discounts for students that can significantly reduce the price of a ticket. If you are traveling, remember to take your student ID card and any other membership cards you hold that might help you qualify for a discount.

Keep Looking Deals Until You Depart

So many companies are offering deals today that you can find coupons and certificates for nearly anything. There are a few methods you can use to score the best deals for your trip. You can sign up for deal sites and apps using the destination location and monitor them for deals you are interest in. You can also go to the website of city you are visiting to see if they have any deals listed in their tourist section. You may even be able to find package deals that saves you even more money.

16 Money Saving Tips For Traveling In 2016

By

Saving money while traveling is easier than you think. The trick is to manage those seemingly tiny expenses that can add up quickly. Reduce your travel budget or have more money for fun activities by following these simple money saving tips for traveling.

A site like Fareness will show you how much you might have to pay for airfare on the approximate dates you’re planning to go, up to six months out. You can also set an airfare alert on Airfare Watchdog to inform you of cheap ticket opportunities. The Hopper app can also be used to watch airfare prices for you.

One of the lesser known money saving tips for traveling is to book with an online travel agent site like Tingo that automatically refunds the difference if the rate drops below what you paid.

The Honey browser extension, which works on several prominent travel sites like Hotels.com, Priceline.com and Trivago.com, will alert you to any discount codes as you are making a purchase. The extension will even test them automatically with a single click.

You can score some really excellent last minute deals on hotels at all times during the year. Hotels know they need to fill their rooms to make money and can give them away at astonishingly low rates.

Another of the lesser known money saving tips for traveling is to cut lodging costs by house sitting or pet sitting during your trip. House- or pet-sitting sites like TrustedHousesitters list homes and apartments throughout the U.S. and U.K., and as far away as South Africa and New Zealand. For a pet-free residence, Airbnb is a cheap alternative in many expensive cities.

Maximize your carry-on to fly without checking a bag. To make this work, cut down on the amount of stuff you think you need, choose the right bag, and change your packing method to maximize space.

Taking cabs is an unnecessary habit that drains money quickly. The best way to explore a city is by walking or taking public transit, which are both more cost effective. If you must rent a car, find out what your credit card and personal car insurance covers so you can decline anything you don’t need at the checkout counter.

Use a debit card linked to a bank account that you can monitor with your smartphone for purchases during your trip. If you do have to withdraw money at your destination, do it in as few transactions as possible to minimize your ATM fees.

Subscribe to restaurant deals near your destination through websites like Groupon and LivingSocial to get offers. Research prices before you go to avoid unpleasant surprises. Cook as much as possible if you have the facilities to do so. Take advantage of continental breakfast offerings at hotels and motels to avoid spending money.

Search online for a calendar of local holidays, major festivals, and scheduled events for the location you are traveling to. This will show you whether there will be free activities and events available or if the hotels may be overbooked and restaurants crowded due to special events in the area.