Ways to save on a trip!

Found on forbes.com

1. Do Your Research
What would you really like to do? Hit the beach? Go shopping? Climb a mountain? Visit a museum?
If you don't know where to begin, talk to friends who travel on a similar budget, contact a travel agency for educated opinions, or scour the internet for chat rooms and honest discussion on your vacation topic. A combination of these resources should give you a framework for your vacation itinerary and perhaps provide you with some tips on accommodations, places to dine and things to do.

Thorough research might also provide you with time-saving tips, help you avoid "tourist traps" and save you from miscellaneous hazards and hassles.

Online travel sites have lots of information and often can help would-be travelers find reasonable fares on hotels, cruises, flights, hotels and coupons!

2. Look for Deals or Coupons
Peruse newspapers, magazines and websites for advertised deals (or coupons) on items like hotels, rental cars or other methods of transportation you'll be using.

Always check out visitor information centres for coupon books for local shops!

3. Pack a Lunch
Odds are that you will be spending a great deal of your money on dining. Instead of eating at restaurants every day while on your trip, consider packing a cooler with your favorite lunch items, or a good old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich if that's your thing. When on a longer trip, visit the local supermarket each day to shop for your meals. Both of these ideas have the potential to save you lots of money over the length of your trip.

4. Consider Joining CAA
The Canadian Automobile Association is a group that offers roadside assistance if necessary (for a price), but it also provides some great travel deals. This is a large organization, so it can offer lower rates on hotels, cruises and other travel-related items through its 135 travel agency locations across Canada. In addition, it offers discounts at a wide array of retailers, from shoe stores to theme parks, so you can use it to get lower rates on things you buy even when you’re not on vacation.

5. Find the Value in Non-Peak Seasons
Traveling when everybody wants to travel can be quite expensive, because merchants generally ratchet up their prices during these peak seasons.

When conducting your research, determine the peak season for the destination you're considering, and then, if possible try to avoid going at that time. This can help you cut the cost of your trip by 10-50%.

Also, consider the time of day for doing certain activities. Some things cost more at different times of day. For example, golfing is less expensive at twilight than in the middle of the day and a theater matinée is cheaper than the price at night. The time of day can also affect the cost of air travel, so keep this in mind when you search for flight information.