Money Sense Tips

As you know that Labor Day is just about here, which means summer is almost over and autumn is on its way. This is the last long weekend of the summer season. So that means it’s the perfect time for you to plan a getaway. If you have left planning your Labor Day getaway until the last minute, don’t worry. There are still plenty of quick trips you can plan to celebrate the end of one season and the start of the other. They can also be very affordable; you just need to know where to look to find them.

Here are some ideas for finding last-minute Labor Day getaways for less.

* Check out expedia.com. Expedia.com lists last-minute deals and offers for travelers looking for a quick getaway. When you find a trip that appeals to you and is in your budget, be sure to book it right away. Their great deals are often scooped up almost as quickly as they are posted.

* Tell your friends. Spread the word that you’re looking for a last-minute Labor Day getaway deal. They might know someone else who isn’t going to be able to make theirs, and connect the two of you. They also may have heard of other getaways you haven’t.

* Check for seat sales. Airlines often have last-minute deals for travelers on some of their flights. If you’re flexible as to where you travel to, you may be able to fly there at a much cheaper rate than normal. You may not be able to travel on the exact date or at the exact time you want to, but if you can pick up a seat sale, you can travel for a lot less than you normally would.

Call your local airlines to find out if they have any sales and what their destinations are.  Your savings on the flight could mean you have more money to spend on fun once you get there.

* Read the newspaper ads. If your local newspaper has a travel section, start scanning it for ads for cheap travel packages. As Labor Day approaches, you might start seeing some of these. When you find one you like, be sure to book it right away as they are usually booked quickly by other savvy frugal travelers.

* Call your favorite hotel chain. They might have a sale on room bookings. Call and see if they have any special sales on for Labor Day. Again, you might not be able to be picky about where you go, but the savings could make it all worthwhile.

* Search on the internet. The internet is always a great source of last-minute information. Search for cheap trips to your destination and see what comes up. Remember to research any opportunity thoroughly before sending any money.

The Labor Day weekend is summer’s last hurrah! Make the most of it by booking a last-minute getaway without breaking your budget.

How do you locate last-minute vacation deals? This is not hard. There are plenty of places to find them online.

Using the internet is one of the top ways to save money on your next trip. Not only are the prices the cheapest, but it can be smarter than booking months in advance where if your plans change, you are out all that money. Here are four last-minute tips to help you save a serious amount of cash:

#1) Get on travel sites’ email lists

If you are really flexible, this is a great option. These companies will often times send you last-minute deals. And don’t forget about the airlines themselves. Getting on their mailing list is another great way to find the top deals.

While this can offer great savings, you have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. And you have to be flexible about the location. Since most people are unable to do this, you have little competition for these deals. This is one of the best ways to save money if you are completely flexible.

This can be a really fun strategy in addition to saving you money. Often times over-planning takes all the fun out of a trip. This strategy will force you to keep planning to a minimum. You just claim the deal and leave.

#2) Book your trip 1-2 days prior to leaving

Remember, airlines and hotels hate empty rooms and seats. Therefore, they often lower the prices for short-term travel if they have vacancies. Most people mistakenly think you need to book months in advance to save money, but this is not the case.

Where should you book?

Orbitz and Expedia are great places to start. And to get further savings, try to plan your trip between Tuesday and Thursday. This ensures you avoid the long weekend price hikes.

#3) Use auction sites

After you’ve looked on the traditional sites, consider bidding on auction sites like Priceline.com and others. Often times this enables you to save even more money.

#4) Do not go during peak times

Avoiding the weekends is your best bet. Consider going offseason as well. In most instances the fall, spring and early winter are the least busy times.

One of the best travel dates is the first week of December, because this is the time the fewest people travel. Therefore, going then will save you money.

The bottom line is, last minute trips can be great deals when done right. It won’t work if you are going to Disney World during Christmas Break, but if you avoid the peak seasons you will save a lot of money.