Budgeting tips for summertime travel

(InvestigateTV) — Around 91% of people planning a summer vacation are looking for ways to save on their travel, according to a new survey by NerdWallet.

Cherry Dale with the Virginia Credit Union said there are many ways to save on trips.

“Where are you going? How are you traveling? How are you going to get there? Might it be cheaper to drive versus flying even though flying would be faster,” Dale said. “So, you’re weighing the opportunity cost of all of those decisions. Ultimately, keeping that budget in mind.”

She suggested using third-party search services like Priceline or Expedia to map out potential costs and find the best deals.

Dale also advised travelers to create a realistic travel budget and to start setting money aside right away from each paycheck.

“There are costs that add up every single day that sometimes we do not budget for, and to keep in mind per person as well,” Dale noted. “So, how many people are you taking? How many are you feeding? And what are the needs of each vacationer? Because it is going to be different. Some people might want to do costly excursions, whereas other people on the vacation just want to stay at the hotel and relax.”

She advised people to carry multiple payment methods on the trip and said to alert your credit company of travel ahead of time.

Dale also recommended that people avoid tourist traps and learn from the locals. Locals can share restaurants they love that may be cheaper than the famous restaurants in the area.

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