Vacations are great when it is time to rejuvenate the spirit and add some excitement to a fairly humdrum life. We need a break from the working life and crave adventure and excitement. Of course, this “adventure and excitement” comes with a price tag. Many people are worried about penny-pinching on vacations. The truth is that you can have a great vacation and save money at the same time.

1. Research the destination and create a budget

Make a plan when it comes to the destination and budget. Create a list of all the places that you want to visit and look up prices and calculate how much it is going to cost to see everything. Also decide how much you will spend on food, traveling, souvenirs, and emergencies.

2. Dine for fewer dollars

Many people make the mistake of spending a majority of their budget on food. It is a mistake that can be avoided if you do research on restaurants in the area. If you have small children, find restaurants where kids eat free or at a reduced cost. There are many great coupons offering two-for-one discounts or a percentage off an entire meal. If you are going to be out sightseeing most of the day, buy items to make your own lunch.

3. Use peer to peer car sharing websites to rent a car at 80% cheaper than traditional agencies

It may sound expensive, but renting a car is a smart idea. You have flexibility in determining when you want to travel and you are not at the mercy of public transportation and high taxi fares. There are many professional peer-to-peer car rental companies available these days and they will save you loads of cash. If you are visiting Australia, check out DriveMyCar Rentals. It is a great service that works to promote and facilitate private car rentals, earning money for the car owners whilst saving money for the car renter.

4. Use hotel comparison websites to find the best priced hotel

Use hotel comparison websites to find the most affordable option. Plug in the destination, check-in and check-out dates, the number of rooms, and the number of people, and the website will give a list of all the available hotels and the price. These websites also list what is included with your hotel stay.

5. Pack light and smart

Over-packing can lead to big headaches. Many airlines have strict requirements about how much a bag should weigh and how many bags a person can check in. If your bag weighs more and/or you have over the number of bags per person, you will be paying hefty overage fees. As well you do not need to bring your own shampoo, conditioner and body soap when staying at the hotel. Even if the hotel does not have it, it is an item that can be bought anywhere.

6. Book flights early and use airfare aggregator websites

While it is possible to find travel deals last-minute, it is not easy to predict if the flight you want will drop in price. If you know where and when you want to go, buy a ticket. Book flights at least one month in advance. The longer a person waits, the harder it is to get a lower price because prices climb as seats fill up. Check out airfare aggregator websites to find the best priced flight. Not only do they not charge processing fees, but they look at all airline and travel websites to find the best deals.

7. Hit major vacation hotspots during the off-season

Although summer is peak season for most destinations, great deals are to be had if you choose to go during the off-season. October is a great time to head to the Caribbean islands, Mexico and Florida if you do not mind a little rain. For European destinations, look into September and October. Take a trip to your favorite ski resort between late November and early December. When you travel off-season, flights are less expensive, hotels are available, and lines to get into attractions are not as long.

8. Keep track of what you are spending on extras

It is easy to forget that the little things do add up. If you do not pay attention, you will easily blow a large part of your budget on unnecessary spending. Do you really need the shot glass that said you visited the Bahamas? If you want to get souvenirs, check out a local dollar store selling mementos. Do all shopping on the last day to further make sure you do not spend too much.

9. Check out all-inclusive resorts

To avoid the shock of all the money you spent on hotel stay, entertainment, and food, look into all-inclusive resorts. While the price tag associated with staying at an all-inclusive resort may seem high, when you factor in room, board and entertainment, it can be a steal.

10. Find a package deal on airfare, hotel stay and car rental

Vacations are extremely expensive when you factor in paying for airfare, hotel stay and car rentals. Luckily, there are a number of great travel websites providing package deals for all three, delivering big savings. Always keep this rule of thumb in mind – the more items you bundle together, the more money you are likely to save.

Kristy writes for Drive My Car Rentals a new peer-to-peer car rental community, where you can save up to 60% on the cost of traditional car rental companies. Whether you’re seeking short or long-term car hire DriveMyCarRentals.com.au have something for everyone.