How to keep more money in your pocket for lifes little luxuries
Are you in the process of deciding where to getaway in the coming months but finding the costs are spiralling? To make matters worse you will have to spend a small fortune before you have even arrived at your destination; taxi to airport, car parking, buying up local currency, a snack and coffee at the airport, and then there are those damn duty free sunglasses calling out your name when you walk past!
Don’t despair, SwapMyCityPad.com are here to help you keep more money in your pocket for life's little luxuries whilst you are away.....
Where are the cheapest destinations?
Thomas Cook recently conducted a cost of living survey and revealed the cheapest holiday destinations for 2010. Costs compared were daily cost of living, including a three-course meal and groceries.
The top 7 short and medium haul destinations (based on daily expenses):
1. Morocco (£29.42)
2. Egypt (£30.45)
3. Mainland Spain (£31.27)
4. Turkey (£34.95)
5. Canary Islands (£36.18)
6. Tunisia (£36.75)
7. Balearic Islands (£38.36)
Top Seven Long Haul Destinations
1. India (£17.10)
2. Cuba (£24.23)
3. Malaysia (£31.33)
4. Mexico (£39.80)
5. South Africa (£40.34)
6. Canada (£45.60)
7. USA (£46.95)
Driving you Crazy
Book car parking/car rental in advance online and save around 50%. Why not consider driving to the airport a day early, and take advantage of the free parking many airport hotels offer. One night in a hotel may work out cheaper than the cost of car parking for a few days. Again, book the hotel online to take advantage of online deals.
If you are home exchanging, why not ask your fellow exchangers whether a car is included in the swap at your destination?
Cash is King
Buy your currency online. Don’t lose out at the airport bureau de change and take advantage of great online rates. If you buy your currency online, some companies won’t charge you for delivery on purchases over a certain amount.
Always check before you go away how much your bank charges for cash withdrawals and credit card payments since your bank will most likely slap on lots of lovely (!) charges (conversion charges and transaction charges).
When abroad, always pay in local currency. Don’t be fooled when asked if you want to pay either in your home currency (british pound, dollar etc) or in the local currency. Local establishments may adopt a dynamic currency conversion, meaning they will apply their own currency conversion rates which leave you feeling the pinch.
Phone Home
Do you ever have to open your mobile phone bill in a darkened room when you return from holiday? Sometimes the cost of calls made and received when abroad can exceed the travel costs alone.
We have all been guilty of forgetting that we pay for incoming calls as well. Here are some more tips to make sure you can open those bills when you get home without dread:
- Call your mobile phone provider to ask what charges you are likely to incur on texts and calls whilst you are away and whether your phone is set up to work abroad.
- Text when you can, it’s far cheaper than a 5 minute phone call!
- If you're home swapping, ask your fellow home exchangers whether you can use their landline for local and incoming calls only.
- Buy a sim card at your holiday destination to make local calls.
- Get a Skype account set up before you go and use it to call other Skype users whilst you are abroad. Some phones allow you to make Skype calls from your phone (such as the iphone).
With the money saved using these helpful tips, you can buy some well earned luxuries whilst you are away. Whether you fancy that hot air balloon ride, a Michelin starred restaurant, a romantic dinner cruise, a day at the races or some well earned pampering at the spa.
At SwapMyCityPad.com we want you to enjoy life to the full!
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