Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1470856
Go Big on Vacay AND STILL COME HOME WITH CASH While you want to enjoy the epic summer vacation you've waited for all year, you don't need to take out a second mortgage to have a good time. If you go with a bargaining mindset and keep a positive attitude, deals will naturally appear. To get your creative, money-saving juices flowing, here are practical ways to save money on your trip and still have a wonderful experience. Always ask for upgrades. Put on a smile, be kind, and don't be afraid to ask. Even though they're available, many people don't inquire about upgrades. Often, hotel staff and others are willing to work with you on upgrades, provided you: 1. Express your interest in an upgrade 2. Are nice to employees 3. Are flexible and can patiently wait for the upgrade 4. Tip the people who assist you, like room service personnel Don't sleep on the hotel's free breakfast. Hotels are stepping up their breakfast game—and that's a money-saving win for you! Today's free breakfasts feature an assortment of foods, like fresh fruits, regional sweetbreads, local coffees, and traditional, cultural cuisine. Favorite dishes include the marinated mushrooms and prosciutto in Lisbon, Portugal's Palácio das Especiarias, and Mexico City, Mexico's Hotel Geneve's molé. Hit up the grocery store. Instead of eating out for every meal, go to the local grocery store for bakery-fresh breakfast items, prepackaged sandwiches, healthy snacks, and preferred refreshments. Reserve your appetite (and cash!) for a special, end-of-vacation splurge. Use public transportation. Many metropolitan cities rely on public transportation, and you'll find that riding the subway is more affordable and much faster. Exchange foreign currency at a bank ATM. Before you head out for international travel, ask your bank about foreign transaction fees. Some banks have no foreign transaction fees; others do. For those that don't, currency exchange rates are typically lower at a foreign bank's ATM than they are at the airport—and there's far less of a line, too. Fill your reusable water bottle. An easy tip for saving cash on a trip is to bring a reusable water bottle to use throughout your journey. It's environmentally friendly, and you'll save several bucks on your daily water buys. 20