Keeping More Pounds in Your Pocket Tips to help you save on your next holiday…
1) Reign in the Roaming Charges: Although the European Commission has ordered the mobile networks to reduce the cost of using mobile phones abroad, a few minutes here and there on your phone can add up to a pretty penny. And with the popularity of smart phones, even checking your emails once a day while you’re away can wreak havoc on your bill to the tune of several hundred pounds. If you insist on carrying your phone, contact your carrier to see if there is a plan you can get to save you. Otherwise, we suggest you leave your phone at home and enjoy a call-free holiday.
2) Book Smart: Just like any other industry, the travel sector is also affected by the basic principles of supply and demand. The best time to book is 11 to 12 months out from your destination dates, so you can take advantage of the newest flights and the most seat availability. If that is not an option, and your plans are somewhat flexible, you can also score big by picking up last minute fare deals mere days before departure. As for the best days to book these unsold seats, rates can change by the day, and Tuesday and Wednesday are the slowest days for bookings. This means many airlines lower the rates on those days to attract more buying activity. And if you can afford to start your weekend early and fly out on a Thursday, you’re almost always guaranteed to save a few more pounds.
3) Foraging for Food: You can’t expect every hotel to offer you a personal gourmet kitchen to cook all your home favorites. But dining out for three meals a day will pack a punch on both your wallet and your waistline. It is wise to pack some snacks you can keep on hand for when you get the urge to graze. And if you’re going to stay in one location, it is less expensive to make a trip to the market for anything from granola bars for breakfast to sandwich supplies for a lazy lunch.