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56. Be resourceful and curious. Know as much as you can about your
destination and prepare as well as you can, even for the unexpected. Read
any and all literature you can find on what you should know before departing,
such as facts, warnings, advisories, entry requirements, crime statistics,
demographics, local economy, attractions and special events for your dream
destination.
Again, it is worth mentioning, that investing time, effort and yes, even
money, if that is what it takes to get quality information that will save you
money in the long run, will pay off! It is like a guaranteed investment in you
and your travel dollar, pocketbook and budget.
57. Medications and prescriptions. If you have to travel with
medicine, it is wise to carry it in the bottle the prescription came in to avoid
any confusion during custom inspections. Even a note from your doctor to state
what it is and what condition it is used for could be helpful. A copy of your
prescription and or even a refill prescription could be of value to you -
especially on an extended trip.
58. Multi-media and technology are travel essentials these days.
Recordings before, during and after can all be captured and enjoyed over and
over. An added benefit is that they weight less and take up "no additional
room".
It helps you assemble memories, so buying and budgeting for extra
rechargeable batteries, charger-kits, adapter plugs, cables, carry-bags, memory
cards and/or recordable media might very well be the best investment you make on
and for your trip. For the return on investment is HUGE! Upon your return, it is
always exciting to re-live key and precious, shared moments.
You could hear and view a tour guide, entertainers, or musicians enjoyed
during your journey. Avoid buying and taking heavy travel guides with you (make
copies of pages of interest). At your destination, there will always also be
myriads of local sources at your disposal that offers a unique perspective,
current pricing and information that might be outdated in even the most recent
travel guides or magazines.
59. When budgeting for any type of travel, package deal, or even your
family vacation, find out about all costs associated with your trip. Confirm
with the agent, location or provider you have chosen or listed on the flashy
brochure or website you just visited. Read the fine print and avoid any
surprises. Ask about alternatives, package deals, discounts, coupons and special
offers - if you do not ask, you will never know. And also, no one is going to
necessarily "advertise" a cheaper price or offer you the lowest, cheapest fare
right away. There is always room for negotiation and or innovative ways to cut
costs and still have a memorable trip to an exotic destination.
60. Another money strategy includes having a personal check or two with
you. They are not accepted any and everywhere, BUT where they are, they are
cheaper than credit card transactions.61. Giving tips are considered common
courtesy and customary most places in the world. BUT as an expenditure category,
it can add up quickly and substantially! If ever in doubt whether it is
appropriate to give a tip, ASK! Ensure you set aside enough of an incidental
budget to cover these and other daily expenditures covering the duration of your
trip.
62. A minimum investment for maximum payback! Something as simple as
clearly marking and tagging your luggage, can be the difference between no
additional money spent and or possessions lost or misplaced, for lost
'indefinitely' or mishandled luggage seemingly nowhere to be found.
This makes it more traceable and easy to spot. Clearly, it is a worthwhile
investment to buy a sharpie or permanent marker and some quality luggage tags.
If your budget does not allow for this, consider using the airline or provider
tags at your departure location. Never travel with an unmarked bag that does not
carry your name and information on it. This ensures traceability and do not even
hesitate to put some identifying characteristic element on it, like a colorful
ribbon, sticker or other identifier that will make it stand out.
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