Travel

Tips for traveling with family and friends on a budget

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Traveling with a family can be expensive, but the memories are priceless. Whether you are envisioning a relaxing trip to the beach, a thrilling amusement park visit, or exploring one of our great National Parks, there are ways to make a vacation fit your budget. With careful planning and great … [Read more...] about Tips for traveling with family and friends on a budget

Rent an RV for fall travel

Ready to travel again? What you need to know

If you're ready to travel again, the travel industry is ready for you. More than ready. But there are a few things you need to know about tourism's grand opening that might surprise you. After the COVID-19 outbreak shut down virtually the entire travel industry, the reopenings have been uneven … [Read more...] about Ready to travel again? What you need to know

How to set (and stick to) a vacation budget

For Kathy Lopez, it’s all about the spreadsheet. When she started planning a future trip to Europe with her friends, she put every expense into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to determine how much the month-long adventure would cost. “We’re going to save a lot of money and planning time on the … [Read more...] about How to set (and stick to) a vacation budget

How to insure future trips in case of a crisis

What if it happens again? What if coronavirus resurges this summer, just as you’re leaving for a well-deserved vacation? Or during the winter holidays? Many travelers are looking for ways to protect their next trip from another wave of the virus. One of them is Baron Hanson, who takes frequent … [Read more...] about How to insure future trips in case of a crisis

How to purchase travel insurance

Travel insurance is no longer optional. After hundreds of thousands of travelers lost deposits, nonrefundable tickets and activities because of the recent outbreak, it's more or less mandatory. But how do you buy travel insurance after this is over? "There are various coverages that could be … [Read more...] about How to purchase travel insurance

Try these expert negotiation strategies for refunding or rescheduling your vacation

Refund or reschedule? As the current crisis deepens, that’s the difficult choice many travelers face. And either way, they may need a few expert negotiation strategies to recoup the value of their canceled vacations. “At this point, everything is negotiable,” says Casey Halloran, chief executive … [Read more...] about Try these expert negotiation strategies for refunding or rescheduling your vacation

Travel deals: It’s a buyer’s market, but should you buy?

The travel deal was too good to pass up. For just $500, Danielle Tedrowe could enjoy a week at the five-star Live Aqua Beach Resort in Cancún, Mexico, this fall. "It was a phenomenal rate," says Tedrowe, a property manager and travel agent from Austin, Texas. An 80% discount for an ocean … [Read more...] about Travel deals: It’s a buyer’s market, but should you buy?

How to file a credit card dispute for your canceled vacation – and win

It’s time to talk about the nuclear option. If a travel company isn’t refunding payment for your canceled vacation, maybe it’s time for a credit card dispute. Asking a bank to force a merchant to return your money is typically a last resort. But that’s where we are now. Some travel companies have … [Read more...] about How to file a credit card dispute for your canceled vacation – and win

12 ways to save at spas

Hot stone massage. Chocolate body scrub. Lavender rose wrap. All sound lusciously decadent ... and expensive. But even the $14 billion spa industry isn’t immune to a skittish economy. Pressured to keep expenses low yet maintain customer levels, spas (both day and destination resort) continue to ramp … [Read more...] about 12 ways to save at spas

7 ways to get free or cheap ski lift tickets

With the cost of ski full-day lift tickets reaching $100 at a handful of high-end resorts, frugal skiers and snowboarders are finding a number of ways to save. Here are some simple tips: Find deeply discounted tickets. Know when and where you plan to ski? Head to Liftopia.com and buy your … [Read more...] about 7 ways to get free or cheap ski lift tickets

30-plus discounts teachers can use all year long

Teachers are rarely paid what they're worth. Recognizing that, many businesses offer discounts to teachers year--round. Living on the Cheap has been rounding up great school supply deals, providing tips on how to save on school lunches and dressing for fall without breaking the bank. This is also a … [Read more...] about 30-plus discounts teachers can use all year long