Spill the beans... on your holiday tricks

Former_MSE_Debs

Spill the beans... on your holiday tricks [IMGRIGHT]http://images.moneysavingexpert.com/images/spillthebeans2.gif[/IMGRIGHT]

After shelling out a hefty sum to get there, how do you keep costs down when abroad? Our top 10 tips top this email, what are yours? Packed lunch to the beach, sharing childcare with families you meet on hols.


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JayWalker

I pack to bring less back - so just enough shampoo to last the holiday, etc. Saves weight going out & weight and bulk on the way home, allowing me to carry pressies I've bought on holiday.

Likewise I take old underwear that I'm prepared to ditch when I pack to come home.

But make sure the locality will dispose of things properly - recycling where possible.

whizzing

If you are going out with children to a restaurant at night always buy them a cheap drink at the supermarket on the way there and let them drink it as they walk. Then they will not swallow the first drink in the restaurant in seconds necessitating two expensive soft drinks with their meal.

Dunroamin

If I had to watch what I spent on holiday, I wouldn't go. That wouldn't be a holiday for me.

baza52

when im in vegas i make sure i NEVER have more than $200 on me. Unless im winning of course.

Mardymadam

Pack a couple of small resealable freezer bags in your hand luggage, there is always someone at the airport who has forgotten, and they will be eternally grateful to you for saving them at least £1 to purchase one from a machine. Always purchase supermarket drinks and snacks to keep in your room and have a quick party before going out to eat - this avoids too many expensive drinks in restaurants. Pass on the expensive desert and buy an ice cream as you stroll around the locality, or enjoy a pre-purchased cake with a drink on your own balcony - take a couple of citronella tealights to add to the ambience. Ladies save weight in your case by packing one pair of black evening trousers or skirt, one pair of heels, one wrap or cardigan and several lightweight tops to ring the changes. Forget expensive trips and use local buses if you are confident enough, do some internet research first to make things easier.
Always picnic at lunch times, many supermarkets keep drinks in a fridge so just buy as you need. Pack a camping set tool which includes a tin opener and knife, and a couple of plastic bags for picnic supplies. Always take your own travel kettle and tea/coffee, long life milk is usually reasonably priced and will keep 2/3 days even without a fridge. Take your own brand of sunscreen as these are generally more expensive in resorts and unheard of in more remote areas. If you are concerned that your luggage may be overweight on your return put small heavy items in your jacket pockets.
This will save enough to splurge on something really important, like new shoes or a handbag!!

Rachie_B

MSE_Debs wrote: »

Spill the beans... on your holiday tricks [IMGRIGHT]http://images.moneysavingexpert.com/images/spillthebeans2.gif[/IMGRIGHT]

After shelling out a hefty sum to get there, how do you keep costs down when abroad? Our top 10 tips top this email, what are yours? Packed lunch to the beach, sharing childcare with families you meet on hols.


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really ?! would / do people do this !

tenuissent

I have not yet achieved a travel kettle, as I am afraid of blowing up the sockets in hotel rooms eg in France. Does anyone know about this? I bought one that could be attached to a car battery, but on reading that it would take about 30 minutes to come to the boil, I returned it. It is good that many French hotels have begun to supply their own kettles in bedrooms, but we need to take lots of teabags and milk and big mugs (lighweight), as the tiny cups and delicate little French teabags just don't satisfy a big morning thirst.

Apart from that kettle problem, I already do everything you have suggested, right down to enormous family evening picnics in our room (carefully cleared up) to avoid depressing and timeconsuming discussions in restaurants about what everything is and who doesn't like it.... We love restaurant meals in small groups, but big families make the whole thing hideous (unless forced into pizza place or.....MacDonalds).

I have even taken a flat gas burner and a big frying pan etc for cooking outside in good weather.

ladyesmereldaprice

Recently returned from Cyprus. I had booked half board and on 2nd day drinks prices and lunches were adding up, so I enquired how much to upgrade to all inclusive and it was 9 euros per day each for the remaining 5 days! Saved us a lot of money :cool:

Sunninghill_Travel

Include a simple change of clothing and your wash bag in your hand luggage. If the worst should befall you and your baggage is delayed in transit you can freshen up when you arrive at your destination, and where hopefully your baggage will play catch up quite quickly!

Dunroamin

Sunninghill_Travel wrote: »

Include a simple change of clothing and your wash bag in your hand luggage. If the worst should befall you and your baggage is delayed in transit you can freshen up when you arrive at your destination, and where hopefully your baggage will play catch up quite quickly!

And all essential medicines!