February 25, 2011

More Tips From The Hawaiian Guru

For those who like to be on the go, love beautiful places, and enjoy the surf, Hawaii is the place for you. If you do your homework and shop online, you will find that Hawaii is a vacation spot that will remain in your memories for a long time.

Here are some tips that will make your vacation manageable and affordable.

#1 Save Money by Vacationing Off-Season

Travel during the off-season (spring and winter excluding holidays), you will find that you can save substantially on your vacation. In fact, the difference between a flight to Maui May 31 and June 4 is $300.

#2 Leave on a Tuesday

If you leave in the middle of the week and return in the middle of the week, you will save money and get extended days of vacation practically free. Instead of leaving on Monday, leave on Tuesday. This simple change meant you could stay until the next Monday for $50 more than leaving Monday to Friday. That means you might get three extra days including hotel for $50.

#3 Book Activities in Advance

By building an itinerary, you will be able to manage your trip and keep those idle times to a minimum. You went there to do everything. You don't want to get there and have nothing to do. Or worse, get there, want to do something, and then discover it is sold out.

Additionally, when you book in advance, you can receive special package discounts. For example, many Luaus cost more if you purchase same day. Buy purchasing your tickets in advance, you avoid the same day ticket price.

#4 Carry Around Water and Snacks

You can have more fun if you stay hydrated and have some snacks. Your pack can provide you with the opportunity to do both without having to stop and buy something to drink or get some food.

Food and beverages are the most profitable items for the tourist businesses. Since Hawaii focuses mainly on tourism, food can be the most expensive for you. You will find that when you get thirsty the only thing available is expensive "tourist" drinks. Carrying your own will allow you to spend on things you want.

#5 Plan Your Meals

Mix up meals by choosing some fast food restaurants and making some picnic lunches with snack foods. Planning your meals will save you considerable cash. Food will be a major expense if you don't plan ahead.

Managing your meals is like managing your money. The more you save on meals, the more you can spend on fun. If you are a foodie, then plan when and where you will go out to eat. Otherwise, you might miss out on the one place you really want to go.

#6 Don't Overspend on Souvenirs

Lastly, decide how much money you are willing to spend on souvenirs. Don't buy souvenirs on a credit card, pay cash. If you decide to spend $200 on souvenirs, have that much money in cash. Credit cards are just too tempting to use for souvenirs and they don't get the best discounts. Many souvenir shops in Hawaii are self owned. Therefore, if you pay cash, you can get a better deal.

Control your spending by limiting your purchases to cash. As your cash goes down, you will stay on budget.

With these tips, you will find you will have more fun and spend less money. Not going bankrupt on a vacation is an enjoyable event also. Have fun!

44 comments:

  1. I think booking activities in advance is key because a lot of the tour companies fill up really quickly!

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  2. Excellent tips, as usual. Not using credit cards is great advice, people tend to think of it as free money when they aren't psychically handing anything over.

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  3. Well done! I'm planning a trip to Mexico right now but these will definitely come in handy.

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  4. I need to stop reading your blog. Reading all of these makes want to drop out of the uni and start chilling in those warm beeches! :D

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  5. Hm, those are some good tips. I've heard Saturday airplane tickets are cheaper too, because there aren't business travelers flying on Saturday.

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  6. Thanks for the advice, specially that second tip, I didn't thought of that.

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  7. Thanks for the tips - they are pretty helpful.

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  8. Great tips, especially leave on a tuesday, I never realised or even thought about this but what an awesome idea. Free extra days of holiday!

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  9. Also, tell dog the bounty hunter hes a dick.

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  10. you forgot to mention that ABC markets are everywhere! but they are a life saver lol

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  11. i am thinking about going to hawai next year :3

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  12. these are really helpful, im so going on tuesday haha, seriously tho, i think its really important to follow these step in order to have a nice enjoyable vacation

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  13. do you think the amount of tourists to hawaii might ruin the pristine nature of the islands?

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  14. excellent advice for new or seasoned travellers.

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  15. very useful tips, thanks again

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  16. These are some great tips. Will definitely use some of these for my next holiday.

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  17. 200 dollars on souvenirs sounds like overspending to me!

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  18. I think a trip to Hawaii might be starting to look like a reality in my future. thanks for the tips about hotels and flights.

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  19. i will probably spend alot of money if i ever visit

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  20. Man I want to got Hawaii some day

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  21. Haha don't overspend on souveneirs. I always do :(.

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  22. Good tips! This should apply to EVERY Vacation destination, not just Hawaii :D

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  23. Good tips, especially #2. Never thought of that.

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  24. someday i'll have the money to go to hawai'i, just a broke college student for now :( tips like these will hopefully get me there sooner though :)

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  25. #4 is a really good tip. You have to pay an arm and a leg for a bottle of water in tourist areas, especially if its a warm climate.

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  26. i hope to travel to the big island soon

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  27. Tuesday tip is great

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  28. good advice!

    I like that you thought about some of the smaller things like carrying around snacks and water. Nothing worse than vacationing and being uncomfortable.

    100% agree on bringing cash only for souvenirs. People usually have no idea just how much they're even spending when they bring a card.

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  29. Well those are some good tips, but i kinda wish it were tips on how to visit for free! haha even cheap flights and cheap hotels are out of my price range.

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  30. good to know, nice post

    + followed:)

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  31. Never knew about that tip #2. Who knew Tuesday would mean something.

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  32. is it true you get laid right off the plane? lol

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  33. these are excellent tips and suggestions, I have been doing this for years and i save a ton of money

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  34. I love surfing~ I should really visit Hawaii soon ^-^

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  35. Also book last minute holidays, you can save massive amounts.

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  36. Ugh, that's the only thing I hate about vacationing; buying souvenirs.

    Visited Mexico a few years ago and oh my, every store owner was walking the streets trying to get me into their shop. BRUTAL.

    Not the Hawaii is the same, but still I don't enjoy it :P

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  37. I'll keep this stuff in mind if I ever go down there

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