1. If your schedule can take it, invite friends or family who live far away to meet you at the destination. This way, you can visit and vacation at the same time. It will be far less expensive than if you took two trips (one for a vacation and the other to visit family), and you’ll create a lot more memories.

2. Set your budget and stick to it. Set your budget before you make your travel plans. Once you’ve returned from your trip, use any leftover money from the budget to treat yourself to something nice. This is a way to give yourself a big high five for sticking to your plan.

3. Don’t stay in a hotel if there are more than 2 of you going. You can stay in a condo for a much cheaper price. In addition, you will have more room, the condo’s are all top rate and you won’t have to eat out as often. Use a condo card and save yourself $600.

4. Pack with intelligence. You know you’re not going to wear most of the things you normally bring, so take half of what you normally pack. Make sure you have the essentials though. It’s costly to purchase certain things at vacation spots.

5. When scheduling your flight, remember it’s normally cheapest to fly out first thing in the morning. Yes, it’s early but you could save a lot of money. Especially if you are traveling with a crowd.

6. Eating out can blow your budget. By staying in a condo, you can go to the grocery store once you get to your destination and stock up on food. Eating out on vacations is really nice, but really expensive too. Try to limit the amount of times you eat out. Remember that budget!

7. Plan a loose itinerary of the places you want to go once you reach your destination. Many of them will more than likely offer different payment plans for certain times of the day and the year.

8. When eating out, try lunch or breakfast. Either meal is normally less expensive than dinner.

Above all else. Enjoy your vacation this year and celebrate the money you spent while so many discounts are being offered.

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1. Register your travel plans with the state department. This way they can assist you in the event of an emergency. You just never know these days and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If there is a crisis where you happen to be traveling, this registration allows authorities to release information on your welfare to your family. Registration is free. https://travelregistration.state.gov

2. One way plane tickets just aren’t a good idea anymore. Especially when going through immigration. To eliminate potential problems, you should consider purchasing a round trip ticket even if it means you have to change the reservation later.

3. Make copies of your itinerary, passport data page, and visas with family or friends. This way you can be contacted if needed.

4. Make sure your passport is filled out complete with emergency information and signed.

5. Make lodging reservations ahead of time. When you are filling out your registration forms, writing in the place you have a reservation with looks far better than a blank spot on the form. This could raise eyebrows.

6. Call your medical insurance agent and check on overseas medical insurance coverage. If your current policy does not apply overseas, if it does not cover emergency expenses, consider purchasing supplemental insurance.

7. If your plans are open ended (I know, you bought a round trip ticket) carry extra documents such as hotel reservations and a printed bank statement offering proof of funds.

8. Become familiar with the laws in the area you will be visiting. While you’re in a foreign country, you will be subject to its laws.

9. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6-months.

10. Be a salesman. Okay, just be kind. Remember that the immigration officer decides if you “get in” hassle free or not. If you’re rude, unkind or irritated, this could pay a major role in how you will be treated. Follow directions and answer the officer to the best of your knowledge. They are not stupid people so always be honest and patient.