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| On The Road-For Less | |
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We've all been there, done that-had those, shall we say, less than completely satisfying travel experiences that make us determined to get our vacations right the next time. Terrance Zepke has been there, done that more often than most. As a travel writer and photographer, she's gone piranha fishing along the Amazon, taken an elephant safari through Nepal's desolate Royal Chitwan National Park, and stroked a baby rhino on the Kenyan savannah. But she's also had more harrowing trips, like the time the Italian national railway went on strike and she had to take a crash course in how to drive a stick shift in order to get from Rome to Paris to catch her flight home. Zepke has gathered all her travel wisdom into The Encyclopedia of Cheap Travel, a comprehensive guide to saving money on everything from accommodation to airfare. Zepke's basic advice is to "think outside the box" when it comes to getting the best value for your travel dollars. "Try alternate airports," she suggests. "Call [hotel or rental] properties directly to negotiate better deals, rather than using toll-free central reservations that have no authority to negotiate. Avoid eating out for dinner, as it is the most expensive meal and will have the worst crowds. Instead, fire up the grill, warm up leftovers, or have a family picnic. In short, be creative to save money." The Internet is an excellent creative resource for budget travelers. The Web abounds with price-comparison sites that can help consumers find good deals. At GasBuddy.com, users can share information on fuel prices-which can vary by up to 20% even within a radius of only a few blocks-as well as identify the lowest prices in specific areas around the country. The site works by accumulating and analyzing data from almost 200 gas price information sites. Airfarewatchdog.com does for plane tickets what GasBuddy.com does for fuel prices. Founded by travel journalist George Hobica, the site posts information about hard-to-find fares that have suddenly been reduced, are offered by just a handful of airlines, or are unadvertised and for a limited time only. Like Airfarewatchdog.com, SideStep is a price-comparison site that searches for bargains for hotels, rental cars, package tours and travel guides in addition to airfares. Other useful sites include CheapVacation.org, an online hub for everything from discount car rental to inexpensive international flights, and Vacation.org, which lists budget excursions by vacation type (e.g. scuba diving vacations, gastronomic tours, etc.). "Consumers have become very cost conscious over the past few years," says Heather Dolstra, a travel agent with Democracy Travel in Washington, D.C. "They are looking for an appropriate return on their investment." Dolstra has spotted several new trends as travelers look for the best value for money. "There's a willingness to explore different currencies," Dolstra explains. "Over the past three or four years, there's been a big increase in travel to South America, especially Argentina. It's not only a great destination, but you can enjoy a fabulous meal for two for about $15. The definition of the travel 'season' is also becoming broader and broader. More and more people are traveling to Europe, for example, in October or November rather than the high season of July and August." Dolstra warns, though, that travelers should be fully informed about their destinations before booking. A low fare for a Caribbean cruise, for example, might sound fantastic-until you realize that it's during hurricane season. So if hurricane surfing is not your thing, you may want to consider other options. The American Society of Travel Agents operates the TravelSense.org Web site, which offers some handy tips for all kinds of travelers. At its 51 Ways to Cut Vacation Costs site, National Geographic also offers strategies for finding travel bargains. And Dolstra has one last piece of common-sense advice: "Watch out for scams. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is." -- James Geary
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| The Skinny on Travel Insurance | |
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On his blog at Airfarewatchdog.com, travel journalist George Hobica tells the sad story of a couple delayed on their way to the airport by a massive traffic jam. They had booked a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe for their anniversary, but missed their flight because they were stuck in traffic. And because their seats were "bulk" fares-inexpensive tickets that often can't be refunded for any reason-the couple lost their vacation and their money. Yet another reason to leave early for the airport, and to invest in travel insurance. "Different people will have different needs in terms of insurance," says Heather Dolstra, a travel agent with Democracy Travel in Washington, D.C. "Some people may need medical insurance due to pre-existing health conditions; others may just require cancellation insurance in case their trip falls through, for whatever reason. But if something does happen and you don't have insurance, you're out of luck. That's why I recommend that the cost of insurance be factored into any vacation." At its TravelSense Web site, the American Society of Travel Agents has a page devoted to tips for evaluating and obtaining travel insurance. The site explains how insurance can protect you from losses resulting from everything from cancelled trips to medical emergencies, and provides a handy guide to the kinds of travel insurance available.
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| Get Organized with CFP Board's Personal Data Organizer | |
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Whether you're getting ready for your first meeting with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional or simply want to get your finances organized, CFP Board's Personal Data Organizer will help you create a snapshot of your finances. The Personal Data Organizer will give you a sense of the types of questions a financial planner will ask. After you complete the form, you'll be provided with a printer-friendly document you can bring to a meeting or store with your financial records. CFP Board's Personal Data Organizer is a free online tool available at: www.CFP.net/learn/pdo.asp
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| Profile: Myfinancialadvice | |
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Americans already have the longest working hours in the world, and now the workplace is also becoming the spot where people's most important financial decisions are made. Myfinancialadvice is one of several organizations established in recent years that seeks to bring unbiased, affordable financial advice to people by making it easy to find qualified financial planning services through the Internet. Read more about how Myfinancialadvice is working to make financial planning advice available at the workplace. Kevin Condon, CFP®, Executive Vice President, Advisor Services with Myfinancialadvice, will speak about financial advice in the workplace at CFP Board's 2006 Annual Meeting on Friday, August 4, 2006, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. General admission is free. Read more about CFP Board's Annual Meeting and register online at: www.CFP.net/learn/annualmeeting.asp
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| About This eNewsletter | |
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