Tag: travel

Travel Hacks 5 of 12-Your Complete Guide to Vacation Budgets

by Advantage One, posted in Budgeting, Lifestyle, Tips & Best Practices

It’s great to get away from the daily grind, but budgets never go on vacation. The classic rules of sticking to your spending plan and not racking up bills you cannot pay still apply when you’re on vacation. The good news is, a vacation budget will actually make your trip more relaxing. When every dollar is accounted for and you know exactly how much money you have to spend in each expense category while you’re on vacation, you don’t have to stress about how you’ll pay for this getaway when you get back to real life. 

Making a vacation budget is not as difficult as it may seem. All it takes is some careful planning, quick calculations and the willpower to follow it. Here’s what you need to know about making a vacation budget.

Set your budget

First, determine how much you can actually spend on your trip. It’s important to be realistic as you complete this step or you may end up paying off this vacation for months, or even years, to come. Do some research on the location you want to visit, how much it’ll cost to get there and the price you’ll pay for accommodations and transportation. Also, look up local attractions to get an idea of how much these will cost. Make a basic list of anticipated expenses and work with that number to set your vacation budget. 

As you set that budget, be sure to consider any money you may have saved up for your trip. If you’re planning this trip well in advance, take into account how much you can afford to save each month leading up to the vacation. 

Plan your expenses

Once you have your set budget and a basic list of expenses, you can work on setting an exact dollar amount for each expense category of your vacation. Use the amounts you researched in the previous step and write out your vacation budget so the individual expense categories total the same as your overall budget amount. If the total amount is way outside your affordable range, consider swapping out some expenses for cheaper, or even free, options. For example, you can choose to use public transportation instead of renting a car, dine on street food instead of eating out in classy, expensive restaurants and book activities in advance to save on the admission price. 

Track your expenses

Once your vacation budget is set up, you’ll need to track your expenses to ensure you stick to your spending plan. When purchasing airline tickets, making hotel and car rental reservations and purchasing items for your trip, be sure to record these expenses in your budget. Similarly, when on vacation, keep track of your spending so you stick to your budget. A budgeting app, like Mint or YNAB, can make this easier. 

If you find yourself overspending in any category, look for last-minute ways to cut back on your expenses. You may choose to cut out an expensive activity or to cook your own meals for quick, easy savings.

Tips for sticking to your vacation budget

The hardest part of vacationing on a budget is sticking to it while you’re away. These tips can make it easier for you to actually keep your vacation budget:

  • Use cash. Keeping the plastic out of sight while on vacation will force you to stick to your spending plan. You may also find it easier to track your expenses when you only have the exact amount you planned to spend in a specific category. Be sure to keep your cash in a safe place, such as a secure wallet or purse. 
  • Book in advance. Try to book as much of your vacation as possible in advance. Hotel stays, car rentals, tours and more are nearly always cheaper when reserved ahead of schedule. You’ll also leave fewer spending choices for your actual vacation when your willpower may be weaker. 
  • Keep a copy of your budget with you on vacation. Make a physical or digital copy of your vacation budget to carry around with you during your trip. The simple act of reviewing your budget will make it easier for you to stick to it as planned. Pull out your copy whenever you come up against a spending challenge on vacation.

Follow the tips outlined here to enjoy the trip of a lifetime without letting your budget go on vacation.

TikTok Inspo: What if budgets DID go on vacation? Shoot a 15-second video playing the role of a traveler who ignores budgets when on vacation.

Travel Hacks 4 of 12-How to Choose a Vacation Destination for Less

by Advantage One, posted in Lifestyle, Tips & Best Practices

Looking to save on vacation costs? One of the best ways to do so is to smartly choose your destination. Here’s how to find a budget-friendly trip of a lifetime!

Set a budget

To keep vacation costs down, pre-set an amount to spend. You can choose to blow a lot of money on airline tickets to get there, but then you’ll need to spend less on lodging, food or attractions. Work out your complete vacation budget before choosing a spot so you have enough money left to spend in other categories. 

Pick your top priorities

Narrow down what’s most important to you in a vacation destination. Are you set on jetting off to Europe? Do you need to travel somewhere family-friendly? Or, are you willing to visit any city or state that’s not your own?

Jot down your priorities in order of importance, and when choosing a vacation destination, look for those that satisfy as many of your first few priorities as possible. 

Consider vacationing close to home

To save big on your vacation, consider traveling somewhere close to home. You may be able to find fascinating attractions and sites just two or three states away. You’ll likely save a day or two in travel time as well, giving you more time to enjoy your vacation. 

Look for deals and discounts

One of the best ways to save money on your vacation is to take advantage of deals and discounts. Many travel companies offer promotions, such as discounted airfare, hotel packages or all-inclusive deals. 

Consider alternative accommodations

You can save a boatload of money by staying at an Airbnb instead of a hotel. Be sure to do your research well to avoid getting scammed. 

Choose a budget-friendly destination

Look for vacation hotspots that are known to be budget-friendly. This includes countries with a low cost of living, like Nepal and India, as well as areas that offer inexpensive hotel stays and free or low-cost attractions.

By following these tips, you can find a destination that ensures the trip of a lifetime without breaking your budget!

TikTok Inspo: Can you convince us that your recent getaway was the ultimate in budget vacations? Sell us on your chosen destination in a 15-second video by showing us how much money we can save vacationing there.

Travel Hacks 3 of 12-Choose a Vacation Date

by Advantage One, posted in Budgeting, Convenience, Lifestyle, Tips & Best Practices

If you’re planning a dream getaway, you don’t have to plan on spending a boatload of money. An easy way to bring down costs while still enjoying the vacation of a lifetime is to be flexible with your vacation date. Let’s take a look at why your vacation date has such a strong impact on prices and how to be flexible with your travel plans. 

Why flexibility matters

If your vacation dates are rigid, your flight and lodging choices will be limited. In fact, you may be paying an artificially inflated price just to travel during that time. 

Airline tickets, hotel stays and other vacation costs are established according to these economic variables:

  • SupplyDemandRandomnessNumber of options

If your plans include specific dates, you instantly constrain the last variable, making the costs dependent on the first three, which are all out of your control. You’ll have no choice but to pay whatever the cost is to travel during the time you chose. 

Of course, you can still luck out and find cheap tickets or next-to-nothing hotel stays during your chosen dates, but your chances for that happening are a lot lower than they’d be if you were flexible with your vacation timing. 

For a quick way to see how flexibility with your travel dates can bring down the price of your vacation, try a simple Google Flight Explore search. Input the locations for your departure and destination, and then provide the search engine with specific dates. You’ll likely be provided with several choices. Now, try the same search, but instead of giving the search tool specific dates, provide only a vague description of your travel date. For example, you can write “within the next three months” or even “in the next year” and see what Google returns to you. Now, compare your choices. How much can you save by being flexible with your travel dates?

How to be flexible with your travel plans

If this all sounds wonderful in theory, but not a very practical way to plan a vacation, especially when you need to make arrangements for missing work and for pet or child care while you’re out of town, keep in mind that you don’t need to be completely open-ended with your vacation dates to take advantage of off-season prices. You can search for flights and hotel stays during a specific season, or even during the last two weeks of your chosen month, and still enjoy discounted airfare and hotel stays. 

To increase your chances of landing bargain-priced airline tickets, you can also be flexible with your destination. For example, instead of searching for tickets to France during Independence Day weekend, you can look for tickets to landmark cities in Europe during the month of July. You’ll see a world of a difference in the prices when you’re willing to be open with your plans. 

Finally, be upfront with your workplace about your planned vacation search. Let them know that you want to go away sometime in July, or anytime in the summer, though it may not be during official vacation times. Chances are, they’ll be happy to have you around when most of the company is jetting off on vacation, and may even offer you more flexibility with your vacation dates when you travel off-season. 

Tech tools 

Of course, you don’t have to find those elusive airfare deals on your own. As mentioned, Google’s Flight Explore is an excellent way to find low-cost airline tickets for the time you want to travel. Check out other travel apps like Kayak, Orbitz and Hopper for exclusive deals on airfare. Some apps offer the option of signing up for alerts, which is a great way to ensure you don’t miss out on any fabulous price drops. 

Saving on vacation costs can be as simple as being flexible with your travel dates. Happy travels!

Your Turn: Have you traveled off-season? Tell us about it in the comments.

Travel Hacks 2 of 12-Open a Vacation Club Account

by Advantage One, posted in Budgeting, Convenience, Lifestyle, Saving, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Planning your dream vacation can be great fun – until you need to figure out how you’re going to pay for it. Stressing over every expense and dreading the bills you know will be waiting for you at home can be an epic killjoy to the best of vacations. 

Lucky for you, as a member of Advantage One Credit Union, you have access to a variety of savings options and loans that can help you save up for, or borrow money, to fund a large purchase, like a dream getaway. One of these options is the Vacation Club Savings Account [or the Holiday Club Savings Account]. 

Let’s take a closer look at this savings vehicle and how it can help make your dream vacation more affordable. 

What is a club account?

A club account is a type of savings account in which the account holder makes regular contributions toward a predetermined goal. Vacation club accounts are designed to help the account holder save up for vacation expenses. Spreading the cost of a large, seasonal expense throughout the year makes it easier to accomplish. 

Are there restrictions on vacation club accounts?

The funds in a vacation club account can generally only be withdrawn when the predetermined goal has been achieved. This may be a specific date or amount of money. To discourage the account owner from deterring their progress toward their goal, early withdrawals from a vacation club account may be penalized or the account may even be closed out. 

What are some advantages of a vacation club account?

As mentioned, vacation club accounts make dream vacations affordable by spreading the costs over the course of the full year. However, there are many more benefits to opening a vacation club account. Here are just a few:

  • Incentive to save. Having a separate place to keep your vacation funds makes it easier to track your progress and incentivizes you to keep saving.  
  • Name your account. Many financial institutions allow members to name their vacation club accounts with a custom title. For example, you may be able to call your account “Europe Vacation 2024.” Attaching your vacation plans to your club account helps make it real and can motivate you to stick to your goal. 
  • Builds strong saving habits. Making regular monthly contributions to a savings account is a great workout for your savings muscle and a big boost to your general financial health. Ideally, this new habit will continue well beyond achieving the initial goal. 
  • Prevents overspending and debt. Lots of vacationers will swipe or borrow their way through a vacay and then scramble for months after it to pay it all back. The financially responsible way to pay for a vacation is, of course, to save up for it before setting out. A vacation club helps you do just that. 
  • Keeps vacation money out of sight. Out of sight and out of mind. You’re less able to spend that vacation money when it’s in a savings account at the credit union. 
  • Favorable dividend rates. Vacation club accounts tend to offer higher dividends than other non-maturing share accounts.

Is a vacation club account for everyone? 

While vacation club accounts offer a convenient way to save up for a dream getaway, they may not be the best choice for every individual. 

First, club accounts restrict the account holder’s access to the money. If you do not have a sufficient emergency fund and/or another safety net, you may be better off building up your general savings before opening a vacation club account. 

Second, if you’re the kind of vacationer who likes to plan and fund bits and pieces of your getaway throughout the year, a vacation club may not be in your best interest, either. With your money tied up in your club account, you won’t be able to use the funds to book airline tickets in November, make hotel reservations in February and arrange a car rental in April. 

Vacation club accounts make dream getaways more affordable by spreading the costs throughout the year, but they may not be for everyone’s money management style. Consider this info about these specialty accounts and make an informed decision. 

Your Turn: Do you have a vacation club account? Tell us about it in the comments. 

Free Vacation Scams

by Advantage One, posted in Lifestyle, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Congrats – you’ve won an all-expense paid vacation to the Bahamas! It’s a dream come true! Or is it? Unfortunately, if you receive notification that you’ve landed a free luxury vacation, you’ve likely been targeted by a scam. Here’s what you need to know about free vacation scams and how to protect yourself from falling victim.

How the scams play out

In a free vacation scam, a target will receive a letter, email or text message informing them that they’ve just won a sweepstakes for a free luxury vacation. They’ll be asked to pay a small fee or tax to help process the prize. Alternatively, they may be asked to share their credit card information before they can claim the prize. Sadly, after paying the fee, they’ll never hear from the sweepstakes company again.

In another variation of this scam, the target is asked to attend a “short” meeting before they can claim their prize. This turns out to be a prolonged and overt sales pitch for a time-share purchase or travel-club membership. There may be vouchers for the promised vacation at the end of the class, but they can only be used for specific dates that may not work for the target, and require all sorts of additional fees before the “free” vacation can be redeemed. Also, if the victim signs up for what the scammer is selling, they’ll be charged hefty membership fees with few and/or hard-to-access benefits. When they try to cancel this nightmare membership, they’ll find a tangle of rules and regulations, and may find themselves stuck paying a monthly fee for a full year or more.

Red flags

Look out for these red flags to help you spot a possible free vacation scam:

  • You’re told you’ve won a sweepstakes you know you’ve never entered.
  • You’re asked to pay a fee or tax before a prize you won can be processed.
  • You’re highly pressured to sign up for a time-share purchase or travel club membership.
  • You’re told a free vacation offer with a club membership purchase is a one-time-only deal and that you must act quickly to avoid missing out.
  • You’re asked to share your credit card information to claim a free vacation you’ve allegedly won.

Protect yourself

Follow these tips to keep yourself safe from free vacation scams:

  • Never share personal information with an unverified contact.
  • Never agree to pay a “processing fee” or “tax” to claim a prize.
  • If a caller insists on payment via gift card or wire transfer, hang up.
  • Always read the fine print and do careful research before you sign up for a time-share or club membership. Look up online reviews, ask to speak to current clients or members and be sure to have a clear understanding of the cancellation policy before you join.
  • Be wary of club memberships that promise a lot of benefits for very little money. 

If you’re targeted

If you believe you’ve been targeted by a vacation scam, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage. 

First, if you’ve paid the “processing fee” or “tax” with a credit card, be sure to dispute the charge as soon as possible. If you’ve shared your credit card information, cancel the card and consider placing a credit freeze on your name. Finally, let the FTC know about the scam so they can do their part in catching the scammers. If you’ve been targeted by a travel company, you can also alert the BBB so they can update their ratings and take appropriate action.

Responsible behavior never goes on vacation. Follow the tips outlined here to keep safe from a free vacation scam.

Your Turn: Have you been targeted by a free vacation scam? Tell us about it in the comments. 

Travel Hacks 1 of 12: 6 Ways to Save on Airfare

by Advantage One, posted in Budgeting, Checking, Convenience, Credit, Lifestyle, Saving, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

If you’re planning a trip overseas, airfare may be your largest vacation expense. Even when flying relatively close to home, the cost of your airline ticket can take a big bite out of your vacation budget. Fortunately, there are loads of ways to save on airfare and leave you with more to spend at your destination. Here, we’ve compiled a list of six ways to save on airfare.

  1. Be flexible with dates and destinations

If you’re willing to be flexible on dates and the destination of your flight, you can potentially save hundreds on your airline ticket. Instead of choosing a date and destination for your vacation and then searching for the best prices, select a date and destination based on the best available deals. If you’re set on going to a particular destination, you may be able to save a boatload of money on the ticket by flying to a nearby airport and then driving to your vacation spot. 

  1. Shop smart online

Harness the power of technology to score the best price on airfare. Searching sites and apps like Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline is like using multiple travel agencies to find the best flights for your vacation. Kayak, another popular travel app, plugs your preferred dates into its search engine and searches airline sites and agency sites to provide you with all the prices and options available. 

  1. Act quickly to snag mistake fares

The best deals on airfares happen by mistake. When an airline accidentally discounts a ticket, you can snag a flight for as much as 90% off its conventional price. Mistake fares get snatched up quickly, so you’ll need to check your favorite airlines and flight apps often so you don’t miss a deal. If you haven’t worked out your child care and/or work arrangements for a date with a heavily discounted airfare, it’s best to grab it anyway and work out the details later. By federal law, airlines must allow 24 hours for free cancellations of all flight tickets. 

  1. Consider booking with a foreign currency

If you’ll be flying a foreign carrier, it may be cheaper to pay for your ticket with the local currency of your destination. Before paying for your flight, check to see if it’ll cost less if you don’t pay in dollars. Sometimes, it can actually cost more this way, but oftentimes, you can save a significant amount by simply changing your location from the U.S. to your destination.

  1. Book early

You’ll typically find the best deals on international flights 3-6 months before the departure date. If you’ll be traveling during peak times, like summer or during a holiday season, you’ll want to search for tickets even earlier. Flights are updated constantly, so check often to get the best deal.

  1. Watch out for sneaky fees

Too often, an economy flight will actually cost a lot more than its listing after the airline tacks on all sorts of extra fees and surcharges. For example, you may need to pay a fee for every bag you check during each leg of your journey. Other airlines charge a fee for choosing seats, which may be a necessity if you’ll be flying with young children or an elderly person in need of assistance. Make sure you know exactly how much you’ll be paying before you book a ticket – it can sometimes be cheaper to upgrade your ticket or switch to a direct flight and avoid some of these fees. 

Airfare can be the biggest item on your vacation budget, but there are so many ways to save on this expense. Use the tips outlined here to get the best deal on your tickets and keep your vacation budget intact. Happy travels!

Your Turn: Have you scored a low price on an airline ticket? Share your best hacks with us in the comments.

4 Ways to Stay Financially Fit this Summer

by Advantage One, posted in Budgeting, Lifestyle, Saving, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Ahh…summer! The season of flip-flops and sunscreen, of lemonade and baseball games. What’s not to love about summer?

Unfortunately, though, summer is also the season of overspending for many. When the sun is blazing across a cloudless sky and the day stretches on with endless possibilities, purse strings are looser and cards are swiped with abandon. But nothing kills summer fun like a busted budget and a mountain of debt. So, how can you stay financially fit this summer?

Keeping your finances intact throughout the summer is well within reach if you’re ready to plan ahead and make responsible choices. Here are four hacks for a summer of financial fitness. 

  1. Prepare for a possible change in income

If you’re a freelancer, business owner or you get paid per diem, you can expect to see a drop in income during the summer months. Business is notoriously slower across a wide range of industries during the summer, so it’s best to be prepared for this reality. To avoid dipping into savings or going into debt, you can trim your discretionary spending and use the extra funds to cover non-discretionary expenses. You can also choose to find a side hustle for the summer to cover the gap in your income. 

  1. Get your budget ready for summer

Your budget will see some changes in the summertime, and it’s a good idea to prepare in advance instead of being caught unaware. Here are some changes you can anticipate:

  • Higher utility bills. With the AC blasting, your energy costs will likely be higher. Water costs can rise, too, especially if you water your lawn and any outdoor plants and flowers on a regular basis. 
  • Increase in fuel prices. Just when you thought it couldn’t go any higher, the price of fuel is likely to jump again in the summer. 
  • Travel expenses. Of course, if you’ll be traveling this summer, it’s going to cost you. If you haven’t yet budgeted for your getaway, start saving up and/or trimming costs from other categories in your budget now.
  • Social events. It’s wedding season, and they don’t come cheap, even if you’re not the one in the white gown. You may also receive invites or host other events during the summer months, such as family reunions, block parties, anniversary celebrations and more. It’s best to budget for gifts, the travel costs of attending these events and of course, for the expense of hosting, if applicable.
  • Activities for kids. School’s out, and the kids need to be kept busy. Aim for free activities whenever possible, but you may want to set aside some funds in your budget for occasional activities that have a price tag attached. 
  1. Create a vacation budget 

Aside from adjusting your monthly spending plan, you’ll want to build a workable budget for your summer getaway to avoid overspending. Money choices are nearly always better made in advance, so plan for every conceivable expense during your vacation. Attach a dollar amount for your hotel stay, car rental, food costs, transportation expenses, entertainment and outings, gifts, and any other cost you might have. Leave a bit of wiggle room for miscalculations, but try to keep your budget as close to the actual cost as possible. While on vacation, be careful not to go over budget and be open to a last-minute change of plans if some expenses end up being substantially higher than expected. 

  1. Review and adjust as necessary

Like going off a diet, blowing a budget is never an excuse to go all out and overspend without sparing a thought to the consequences. To avoid falling into this trap, resolve to review your budget and your overall spending on a regular basis throughout the summer. You can choose to do this weekly, or bi-weekly, but be sure to take a careful account of every dollar in and every dollar out. Being aware of the state of your finances in real-time instead of waking up after the damage has been done will make it easier to make responsible choices going forward. 

The temptation to overspend is especially strong during the summer. Follow these tips to keep your finances intact throughout the summer. 

Your Turn: How do you plan to stay financially fit this summer? Share your tips with us in the comments.

7 Reasons to Buy an RV or Campervan

by Advantage One, posted in Budgeting, Convenience, Lifestyle, Loans, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

If you’re thinking of road-tripping your summer getaway, think RVs. Recreational vehicles and their close cousin, campervans, are growing increasingly popular as more families hit the road for a true American adventure that’s easier on the wallet and heavy on the fun. When purchasing an RV, you can go all out with a fully loaded luxury vehicle, or go the less costly route by opting for a campervan, also called a Class B motorhome. 

If you’re still not convinced, here are seven reasons to buy an RV or a campervan: 

1. Save money

With a means of transportation and a place to stay all rolled into one, an RV helps you save significantly on your vacation costs. Plus, when you travel with an on-the-go kitchen, you can stock up on staples before heading out to cut down on the money you’ll spend feeding your family while on the road. In fact, despite the cost of fuel, a 2018 study conducted by the CBRE Hotels Advisory Group found that RV vacations were anywhere from 27-61% less expensive than conventional getaways. 

2. Privacy and comfort

Why fight for legroom on a crowded airplane when you can travel in a vehicle that gives you plenty of space to stretch your legs? Move around as much as you’d like (as long as you’re not in the driver’s seat), enjoy a private bathroom and catch a few winks in the sleeping area, all while traveling to your destination. No unpacking and repacking the vehicle when you stop at hotels along the way or sleeping with your face pressed to the window while stopped at rest areas. What more could you ask for while traveling? 

3. Increased flexibility

When you travel with your own means of transportation and a place to stay while on your vacation, there’s no need to be locked into specific dates for your getaway. Instead of working around the cheapest flights and hotel stays, you can come and go as you please and vacation on the schedule that works best for your family. 

 4. Explore more

Traveling by RV will give you the opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of each place you’ll pass through. You’ll enjoy every bit of picturesque scenery on your travels and have the leisure of stopping to watch a glorious sunset or a passing herd of deer. 

5. Bring your pets along

No need to arrange pet-sitters or to keep your furry friend in a carrier under an airline seat as your plane wings its way across the skies. When you travel by RV, you can bring your pets along and keep them nearly as comfortable as they’d be while at home. Plus, you’ll save on the cost of pet care while you’re gone, or footing the cost of an extra airline seat.

6. Tax benefits

In many states, owning an RV can mean enjoying significant tax benefits:

  • The homeowner’s deduction – if you claim your RV as your primary residence, you may be able to take the homeowner tax deduction for your vehicle.
  • Sales tax deduction – in many states, the sales tax you paid on the RV is tax-deductible for the year the RV was purchased. 
  • Interest deduction – you may be able to deduct the interest you pay on your RV loan from your taxes.
  • Business tax deduction – you may be able to claim this deduction if you work from your RV. 

Be sure to check with your accountant or tax advisor to see which of these tax benefits applies to you.

7. RV campgrounds are everywhere

You’ll find public, private and government-owned campgrounds near major attractions all around the country. Fees can be as low as $30 a night, or as high as $150 for upscale resorts with amenities. Look up RV parks near your vacation destination here. 

If you’re ready to take the plunge and purchase an RV or a campervan, look no further than Advantage One Credit Union! Our RV loans have affordable interest rates, reasonable payback terms, and easy eligibility requirements for qualifying members. Call, click or stop by Advantage One Credit Union today to take the first steps on the road trip of a lifetime!

Your Turn: Do you own an RV? Tell us about it in the comments!

7 Tips for a Budget-Friendly Road Trip

by Advantage One, posted in Budgeting, Convenience, Lifestyle, News & Events, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

With many indoor attractions still closed or operating only at a limited capacity, there’s never been a better time to pack up the car, RV or camper van and set out on the road trip of a lifetime. However, without careful planning, a road trip can get pricey, especially with soaring gas prices and the rising costs of food. For this reason, we’ve put together seven solid tips for a budget-friendly road trip. This should help you hit the road in style without breaking your budget.

1. Save on food costs 

Food can quickly turn into the biggest expense of your trip unless you plan ahead. And no, this doesn’t mean dining only on canned baked beans or instant soups for the duration of your trip. Here’s how to save on food costs during your road trip: 

  • Stock up on staples while at home. Shop your local stores for basics before setting out. Once you’re on the road, you won’t have as many choices for food shopping, which may stimulate overspending. 
  • Get your “kitchen” into gear. Unless you’re road-tripping in an RV or camper van that comes with a fully equipped kitchen, you’ll need to gear up for basic food prep on your trip. A good knife, cutting board and small cooking appliances, like a portable grill, panini maker and plug-in burner, can be great starting points. 
  • Plan a mix of meal types. You likely want to eat some meals out during your trip, but overdoing the dining out will quickly kill your budget. Instead, mix it up, alternating between home-cooked meals, dining out on fine cuisine and tasting local street foods. 
  • Only eat out at places you don’t have at home. For further savings, save the dining out for delicacies that are unique to your current location. Think fresh seafood on the Oregon coast, authentic Korean food in K-Town of Los Angeles or Cajun food in New Orleans.

2. Camp out instead of sleeping in hotels

Sleeping under the stars whenever possible will add another layer of awesome to your trip. Check out recreation.gov, where you can book accomodations at 3,600 facilities and 103,000 individual sites across the country. Lots of camping spots will run just $20 a night.

3. Find free attractions

Who says you need to pay for your fun or it doesn’t count? Most tourist hotspots will have a wide selection of free activities and sights to see at no cost, like the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and city street art in Pittsburgh, PA. Check out local websites or ask around on the street to find the best-kept secrets at each location. 

4. Map out your route for greater savings

Instead of blowing money on gas, create a detailed schedule of all your stops before setting out, choosing the most efficient and inexpensive route. Look up local attractions in the areas you plan to stop at to book reservations in advance when possible. In many places, you can save a tidy bundle of cash just by pre-booking. Also, keep in mind that many attractions still require reservations as a COVID-19 precaution, so be sure to plan accordingly. 

5. Download GasBuddy

With gas prices hitting $4 a gallon in some parts of the country, your car’s tank can take a huge chunk out of your road trip budget. Download the Gas Buddy app before hitting the road to find the stations selling the cheapest gas throughout your journey. You can save hundreds of dollars on gas costs by leveraging this game-changing app.

6. Check in on a Sunday

For those nights when you must have a hot shower and comfortable bed, you’ll likely be checking into a hotel. If you can swing it, check in on a Sunday. According to a study conducted by the travel app Kayak, hotel reservations are at their lowest rates on Sundays. 

7. Explore more and drive less

Hit the brakes and get out of the car! Spend some time covering miles on foot by hiking through local trails or even backpacking through city streets. You’ll enjoy an enriching experience and save on gas costs at the same time. 

Your Turn: Do you have more tips for budget-friendly road trips? Share them with us in the comments. 

Scam Free Summer

by Advantage One, posted in Budgeting, Lifestyle, online security, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Hello, summer! It’s the season of flip-flops and ice pops, of sun-drenched afternoons and lazy days at the beach. And, unfortunately, summertime is also prime time for scammers. People are more relaxed, schedules are looser and vacationers are traveling in unfamiliar locations. All of this can lead people to let their guard down during the summer, and the scammers know it. 

Don’t get scammed this summer! Follow these tips to stay safe. 

1. Never pay for a “prize” vacation

So you won an all-expense-paid trip to Aruba? Or a vacay in a remote French chalet? Sounds like a dream come true, but if you follow through, you’ll be caught up in a nightmare.  If you’re asked to pay even a small fee to claim a free vacation prize, you’re looking at a scam. A legitimate company will never ask winners to pay a fee for a prize.

2. Use a credit card when traveling

A credit card will offer you the most protection in case something goes wrong. You’ll be able to dispute unauthorized charges, and in most cases, reclaim your lost funds.

3. Ignore celebrity messages

Celebrities might have a direct line with the public through their social media platforms, but don’t believe a private message appearing to be from your favorite movie star, singer or athlete. A direct message from a celeb asking for money for a charity, or claiming you’ve won a prize, but need to pay a processing fee, is a scam.

4. Check for skimmers at the pump

If you’ll be spending a lot of time on the road this summer, and pumping gas in unfamiliar places, it’s a good idea to check the card reader for skimmers before going ahead with your transaction. A card skimmer will read your credit or debit card information, enabling a scammer to empty your accounts. Here’s how to check for a skimmer on a card reader:

  • Try to wiggle the card reader; this should dislodge a skimmer if there is one. 
  • Check the keypad to see if it looks newer than the rest of the card reader.
  • Touch the surface of the keypad to see if it’s raised.

5. Research vacation rentals carefully before booking

With so many vacationers now booking stays at private homes instead of hotels, scamming travelers is easy. All it takes is a few fake photos, a bogus address, and you’ve got yourself a fake vacation rental. In other vacation rental scams, scammers will falsely advertise a rental as a beachfront property when it’s not, claim that it’s larger or more up-to-date than it is or promise amenities that are missing when you arrive. 

Don’t get scammed! Before booking a vacation rental, read the reviews left by previous guests. If there aren’t any, or they don’t sound authentic, you’re likely looking at a scam. You can also look up the address of the rental to see if it in fact exists and if the location matches the description in the listing. As another precaution, you can ask the owner for more details about the property just to see their reaction; if they sound vague or uneasy, it’s likely a scam. Finally, as mentioned above, use a credit card to pay for the stay so you can dispute the charges if it ends up being a scam.

6. Vet potential contractors well

Contractors who go from door-to-door looking for work are a fairly common summertime sight. Unfortunately, though, some of these “contractors” are actually scammers who are only looking to con innocent homeowners out of their money. They’ll deliver shoddy work at an inflated price, go AWOL once a down payment on the job’s been made or do more harm than good with their “home improvement” work.

It’s best to only hire contractors whom you’ve personally reached out to instead of waiting for one to come knocking on your door. Also, before hiring, thoroughly research a potential contractor, asking for contact info of previous clients, checking out their online presence and looking up the business on the BBB website. Finally, it’s best not to agree to pay more than a third of the total cost of a job before the work commences. Even then, only pay when you see the materials arrive. 

Don’t let summertime turn into scam-time. Stay alert, follow the tips outlined above, and stay safe!

Your Turn: What are your tips for a scam-free summer? Share them with us in the comments.