Practically everyone is keeping a close watch on their budgets these days. While we have to worry about paying the mortgage, eating and getting to work, vacations are way down on our list of priorities. Some people do not even consider the idea of taking a trip. However, you know what they say about all work …?

- How well do you know all the towns and attractions within a 50 mile radius of home? When you are thinking of a vacation, that fabulous little coastal town just 20 miles away may not even cross your mind. One thing to consider however is that if you have never been there, you will have absolutely no idea how it gained it’s gorgeous reputation. Why not go online and check it out. You may be surprised at what you find. Is it an artsy community, full of bed and breakfasts’, artisans, a cheese factory or even a winery? Go and check out their calendar for local festivals and theatre productions. A one night stay at the historic B&B and two days filled with exploring the town won’t ruin the budget and serves to put enough distance between you and the same-old same-old to allow you to lose yourself for just a couple of days, returning home refreshed and cheery, ready to face another month of toil.

- Why not trying to modify the parent-only romantic weekend. Depending on where you live, you may not even have to leave your home town! During the colder months, hotels often run specials to attract visitors during the slow season. Check your local newspaper and give some of the better hotels a call to see if they’ve got anything going. If your goal is to take it easy, have a swim, watch movies without having to get up and make breakfast, this extremely affordable travel idea could just be the ticket. Think of it this way, should an emergency arise, you can be home in ten minutes!

- If you are lucky enough that your purse allows for a bit more extravagance, go and scour the travel newsletters for those last minute bargain airfares. They are certainly out there, you just need to check them regularly. Many are all-inclusive packages that get you to some beach front paradise. Even if you have to set aside money from each paycheck for a few months, this travel idea can have you snorkeling, sun bathing and enjoying an exotic array of food in a new and exciting culture that satisfies your travel itch and lasts for months to come.

- Certainly don’t forget that the travel industry is in somewhat of a slump. They need your business. You have probably seen the television ads for resorts, offering gas coupons and plenty of other incentives, along with reduced rates. Choose ones which are within driving distance and take advantages of these cheap prices. These days, you need to think outside the box for travel ideas that are affordable and still exciting enough to provide that break you need.

- The last travel idea applies to when you’re traveling by air. Considering now that airlines charge over the top for extra baggage, pack wisely and save. Wherever you’re going, there’s absolutely no reason to take more than a carry-on, even when traveling in winter. Wear your coat, boots and at least one sweater when you board. Roll the rest of your clothes. Buy your toiletries at your destination. Two dress outfits, one pair of dress shoes, a pair of jeans, a few pairs of undies and a couple of t-shirts is really all you’ll need.

Unless you’re down to your last dollar, the cheapest travel deal isn’t necessarily going to be the best deal for you. It seems that every street corner, and every second website is flogging a travel deal these days. Whilst the abundance of options is wonderful, the job of trying to sort out the best deal from the mountain of offers can be overwhelming.

You need to set the budget that you have to work with, and you need to settle on your “Where, What, When and How”. No need for a “Why”, I’m guessing you already know why you need a holiday.!

Assuming you know how much money you have to spend, you then have to sort out Where you want to go. What you want to do there. When you want to go, and How you plan on getting there.Once you have your budget and the three W’s and your H sorted out, you are ninety percent of the way there.

Always plan as far ahead as possible – the trend these days is to sell off airfares and packages in stages, with the cheapest going first, so it’s “first in, best dressed”.

Planning well ahead usually means that you can be more flexible with your dates as well. Flexibility is a sure way to save big. One or two days either side of your preferred dates could mean a huge difference in airfares.

If you are planning a straightforward holiday then you may as well book your own travel directly with the airlines, cruise line or accommodation venue, and save the travel agents slice of the action.

If on the other hand, you are planning a more complex itinerary then the time a travel agent can save you will be well worth the extra expense. You will usually minimize the agent costs by getting them to arrange all your requirements at once, rather than one task at a time.

Packaged holidays such as fly/drive or fly/cruise deals are worth taking a close look at, as they are often very good value. Provided they include what you had planned on including in your holiday anyway, then you may well get a bit of extra holiday for your dollar.

The internet is the travelers’ friend. It has never been easier to compare travel costs than it is today. The internet is a great place to find “last minute” deals. Airlines and hotels are frequently offering last minute deals that represent a 50% or more saving.

Be open to slight changes to you original plans. Small changes, like flying with a lesser know airline, traveling a slightly different route, or taking in an extra stopover can often be well worth the effort. Moving you holiday back or forward a week or two can mean you avoid the peak times. You may as well let someone else pay full price for the same holiday you are going to get a week later at 25% off.

The peace of mind you get from having adequate insurance for any unfortunate turn of events on your holiday, is well worth the expense. The costs involved in an uninsured overseas hospital stay, or an accident of some sort, can not only ruin the holiday, but has the potential to ruin your finances for life. Buy the Insurance.

Depending on the extent of your travel plans, it may be worth looking into the incentive schemes offered by some of the airlines and accommodation chains. Whilst the saving won’t be anything significant for a single holiday, they can quickly add up if you are a frequent traveler.

Remember, it’s important to compare all your options since not all cheap travel deals will turn into the holiday you’re looking for. It’s much better to pay a bit extra and have a great holiday, than to wring every dollar you can out of the budget, and have a miserable time