If you’re feeling the pinch in your travel budget these days, you’re not alone. People are looking at all kinds of ways in which to reduce their spending, and unfortunately for many that means giving up luxuries, including vacations and travel.

But it doesn’t have to. Granted, you may have to adjust your expectations for travel and be willing to make a few concessions, but with a few changes, you can still have a satisfying trip without feeling guilty about the expense.

This is the number one rule for saving money on your vacation. If you plan ahead enough, you can save a ton of money in all of your travel accommodations. It’s those last-minute procrastinators who are often stuck paying more than premium prices for having waited too long to make reservations. These days, you just can’t afford to be one of them.

Travel to your favorite vacation spot during the off-season. Of course, for some spots that means arriving just in time for monsoon season or during the months of giant-bug infestation or whatnot. Avoid those spots. But some locations are just as lovely during their off-peak months, and you will get unbelievable deals on fares, hotels, and rental cars. Plus, your sightseeing adventures won’t be nearly as crowded.

If traveling by car, make sure your vehicle has been properly tuned-up and is in top-notch condition. There’s nothing less fun (and frequently more expensive) than having your car break down in some godforsaken location like Kearney, Nebraska and need some exotic part they don’t carry (this actually happened to me….apologies to Kearney for the "godforsaken" part, but gee whiz, it really was). Use your best gas-saving techniques like hypermiling and making sure your tires have enough air, etc. There’s probably nothing you can do about the extra weight you’re carrying in the trunk – you are on vacation, after all.

If renting a car, try to not be picky about it. Don’t choose their most popular car with all of the fancy bells and whistles you may not use anyway – decide that saving money is more important, and go with the economy deal. Shop around for the best rental deals in advance, so you’re not stuck having to take what they give you, and talk to the dealer before you agree to a contract. Explain exactly what you need, and you may be able to dump some of the charges for services you won’t use.

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