MONEY MATTERS WITH SHEILA--SUMMER VACATION $AVINGS

Here we are in the middle of summer. Have you made your summer vacation plans yet? A recent study found that sixty percent of those surveyed said they overspent when on vacation. Hey, it’s easy. All those souvenirs and evening outings for ice cream add up, especially if you have several kids in tow. Vacations are like Christmas—lots of fun while they’re occurring but a huge downer the next month when the credit card statement arrives.

Here are a few ways you can have a great vacation without breaking the bank:

1. Use your computer to plan your vacation. There are a myriad of websites that offer deals on airfare and hotel stays. Take advantage of them to book your trip. Then, once you have your destination set, check out sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, and Amazon Local for restaurant and entertainment deals in the area during your stay.

2. Keep a record of your spending. Either jot down expenditures in a small notepad or on your phone. It makes you aware of your spending, so there are no surprises at the end of the vacation. Or go high-tech—most banks now offer a service where you can keep track of your credit card spending. My bank offers a service where I receive an email every time I make a credit card purchase. This not only keeps me apprised of my spending, but it also alerts me to any unauthorized use of my credit card.

3. And speaking of credit cards, use them when traveling. They offer protections against fraud that debit cards don’t. Banks love debit cards because they get their money immediately, but debit cards can be really damaging to consumers. Every time my bank wants to issue me one, I decline. My ATM card is solely an ATM card, not a combined ATM/debit card.

4. Finally, make a budget and stick to it! You’ll enjoy your vacation far more if you don’t regret it once the bills start arriving.

TRAVEL WITH SERENA--VACATION TRAVEL TIPS

photo by Jorge Royan

Travel Tips

Summer vacation will be here before you know it. Here are some handy tips to make getting to your vacation destination more enjoyable:

Back when airlines still offered free services to coach passengers, I always used to grab one of those complementary little pillows as soon as I entered the cabin. They can be back-savers, especially on long trips. However, most airlines are no longer offering this fluffy little perk (along with all other perks, unless you’re traveling business or first class.)

So I suggest you pack a small pillow in your carry-on. Place it between your lower back and the seat, and you’ll find your flight far more comfortable, no matter how packed the plane. This works for train trips as well.

And don’t cross your legs! (Not that most planes give you enough leg room to do so nowadays.) When you cross your legs, you put stress on your pelvis and hips. This contributes to lower back pain.

Although the airlines stress that it’s important to remain seated with your seatbelt securely fastened at all times, if you’re taking a long flight, it’s imperative that you walk or stand every two hours to keep your blood circulating and prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.

If you’re traveling by car, stop every couple of hours to stretch and walk around. It’s also not a bad idea to do a bit of stretching and/or walking prior to starting your car journey.

Be prepared. No matter how you travel, make sure you pack everything you need. I keep a list of must-haves on my smart phone. Before I take any trip, I check the list against what I’ve packed, making sure I’ve remembered such essentials as prescription meds, sunscreen, hair care products, all necessary clothing (underwear, pj’s, etc.,) and emergency items such as band-aids, aspirin, etc.

Along with keeping medications and valuables in my carry-on, I also pack at least one outfit, an extra pair of shoes, and several pairs of undergarments in my carry-on bag. Why? Because in 2012 nearly 1.8 million pieces of luggage were lost, stolen, or damaged on domestic flights alone. That’s 3.09 bags for every 1,000 passengers heading to DisneyWorld, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or anywhere else you’re planning to take your family this summer. If something happens to your luggage, you don’t want to be stuck without a few basic necessities before your luggage is found and returned to you.