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Save Money on Holiday

It is rare to find a person who is not feeling the effects of the credit crunch. Even if your own financial situation has not changed drastically, it is likely that you are being a little more careful with your money. Of course, this does not mean that you have to give up everything that makes life enjoyable.

There are plenty of ways to have a great holiday and remain financially responsible. Here are some easy ways to make your next holiday a little more affordable, without sacrificing the fun.

Swap Credit Cards

Consider signing up for a credit card that does not charge additional fees when spending abroad. Not only will this save you money on currency exchange, it is also a safer and easier way to spend. You don’t have to worry about losing money or travellers cheques, and credit cards often provide additional consumer protection features.

Consider Annual Multi-Trip Insurance

If you are likely to be going away more than once this year, annual insurance is likely a more economical choice. Annual travel cover is usually very flexible and affordable. Even if you only take two trips, it is likely worth considering a multi-trip travel cover instead of purchasing individual packages for each trip. Not only does this save money, it also saves time!

Plan Your Own Trip

Some holiday reps take a fee from the consumer and others take a fee from the travel company – either way, the cost of your trip may be higher if you use a travel rep rather than booking for yourself. There are many online resources to help you plan an exciting and tailored holiday for yourself. However, you should carefully balance the cost with the benefit in this case. While planning yourself will certainly save you money, you may feel that expect advice from a holiday rep is worth the premium – especially if you are not familiar with your destination.

Purchase Long in Advance or At the Last Minute

There are good deals on both ends of the time spectrum. If you have the time, purchase your holiday well in advance and take advantage of Early Bird Specials. Holiday companies are able to offer better deals earlier in the season because it encourages certainty for their profit margin. On the other hand, you are also able to find outstanding deals at the last minute, as long as you can be flexible. These deals are the result of partially booked holidays, on which the company has already purchased the flight or accommodation and would rather accept a lower profit than take a loss.