Tips on How to Save Money for Holiday Travel
According
to the National Household Travel Survey, the November and December
holiday periods are among the busiest times to travel. A 2003
survey conducted by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics
found that during the Thanksgiving travel period, the number
of long-distance trips increased by 54 percent, and during the
December holiday period, the number rose by 23 percent, compared
to the average number for the remainder of the year.
"While
heading home (or anywhere else) for the holidays can be good
for the economy and for your soul, it can be hard on your wallet,"
said Kelly Rote, communications manager for MMI. "In fact,
AAA estimates that a family of four should budget at least $244
per day for meals, lodging and automobile travel costs. And
that figure doesn't include the other costs associated with
holiday travel, such as clothing, gifts and entertainment.
"The
study also found that visiting friends and family is the single
biggest reason Americans travel during the holidays. As usual,
the best way to keep the costs down is to plan ahead and make
informed decisions. With this in mind, the experts at Money
Management International offer the following suggestions to
make your holiday travel more enjoyable and easier on your pocketbook:
