Search and search again your flights/holiday/package/accommodation - they may be offered cheaper on another site (I've saved lots this way).

Doing your own search to find the best currency rate in your area and not just relying on your usual provider or a friend/family members recommendation You might get a better price if you are prepared to have your money sent to you. On a recent trip to Italy there was a price difference in my favour of £30 between myself and my friend - she stupidly exchanged her money at Gatwick before the flight.

If you are travelling within a country then use an overnight bus or train as it will save you on one evenings accommodation charge.

If breakfast isn't included in your room rate then NEVER eat in the hotel as it's much cheaper to eat locally. If breakfast is included then fill your boots until you are bursting and then you won't have to budget for lunch.

Make sure you budget your meals per day - give yourself a set amount to spend.

Stopping for coffee and cake can add up - why not take a flask with you on holiday.. Use the hotel room kettle and make yourself a flask of coffee/tea before you go out for the day. Buy a family sized cake in the supermarket and take a knife with you to cut it into slices - for example a Mr Kiplings fruit cake in the UK is £2.50 to buy and will feed 4 people, but I bet you if you were to buy an individual fruit cake in a cafe it would cost you £2.50 each - adding up to £10.00. The same cost saving will apply when on holiday.

Museums/Galleries/Churches are usually free so if you need to escape the rain or the hot sun then visit one of these venues instead of going to a cafe/restaurant and having to spend money.

McDonalds offer free wi fi and free toilets. These places are always busy so nobody will notice if you've bought any food or not.

Drink the local beer and avoid buying food/drink near tourist attractions. By exploring as little as a couple of streets away from the attractions you will usually find food/drink considerably cheaper (and more often than not much nicer).

If you are travelling with someone and you want to dine out then share your dinner - Order a house salad each then share one starter, one main, one desert - this is probably more than enough food to fill you both and you will have just shaved off half the price.

Research local travel passes for attractions and transportation. If you are doing a lot of either then it can work out to be a big saving.

Local buses are always a much cheaper option than using a taxi. This can be daunting in some countries, but once you have taken the plunge all your other trips during your stay will be much easier, a hell of a lot cheaper and a lot more exciting.

Swapping your home with someone in a different country

There are now global websites whereby people can let out their spare rooms and this makes for very affordable accommodation. You won't get hotel/B&B service, but you will get a bedroom, usually in a central location, for half the price.

Hi Charlie - a girl after my own heart - I took a couple of small glass wine bottles when we were on the cruise so that I did not have to pay for the expensive wine so filled up from my store in the fridge in the room. Usually buy in supermarkets before travelling to the airport also ie a roll or cheese/ drink as their prices are always much more expensive.

Thanks to all for the hints and tips Michelle

ps. I now receive Zoo emails with deals for holidays. This is where we found our budapest trip £159 £102 flight but £57 for three nights in the 5 star Hilton Buda district. The rooms are usually £220 a night! Broadway Travel M

Michelle, did you take your own wine on a cruise?
Did you know that this is actually forbidden on most cruise ships & if found can have dire results?
There has even been people not allowed on the ship & lost all their cruise & money!!
There are more rows & trouble about the price of booze & not being allowed to take your own, than almost anything else!!
I am just stating a fact and being as I don't want to drink anyway, I don't care either way.
I get upset at the price of photos & excursions!
lol Jackie.

Hi Jaqueline,
You are mostly right but on P & O and Cunard you are allowed to take drink on board within reason...

On P&O ( which we did ) you are allowed to take 2 bottles on embarkation and a further bottle on every stop you call at. l think that is very civilised as long as people keep to that it works very well.

When l first started cruising l bought photo's but now l just take my own snaps and get them enlarged, if need be, saves a lot of money... Likewise excursions, we always do our own thing - they can be expensive - and we have more fun exploring...

Val.

Hi J I understand what you are saying about taking alcohol on board. I went on a cruise last May and did not take anything on with me with Royal Carribean however, as Val states with P and O you can take a small amount which helps with the budget. We never do the excursions for that reason, they are too expensive and getting off the ship and catching a train, coach or tram is part of the adventure However, I know not everyone would want to do this we are all at different stages of our travelling.

Have a great time Val and Jenshep bfn Michelle

I very often do the trips alone and just feel so much safer & at ease on the ships trips. I save money by going on bargain cruises, not drinking or shopping much & on the last cruise, just bought 2 photos, they were so good!!
I once did a deal & got all of them for half price!! Chatted the photographer up all week & bought them on the last day!!
The excursions are why I go on the cruises so they are very very important to me.
Each to our own!! lol

When looking for cheap flights, don't keep going on the website every day to check if the flights are still at the same price. Each hit (even if all from you) shows up and then the airline/operator sees x amounts of hits and put the price up as they think it means several people are interested in that flight. Just assume that will be the price for the next few days and then book when you are ready. Obviously if lots of people looking at the same date/route, the price WILL increase......I used to work in the travel business!

Annie I've been saying that for the last couple of years but my friends all think I'm being paranoid.

Good Point AnnieV. I did know this but like Matilda, no one believes me!!
J

Well something I do when I travel is bring an empty bottle with me and some powder drinks in individual packets. That way I can fill the bottle wherever I am without having to pay the outrageous price for a drink. Five dollars continually, adds up before you know it and that's another hundred gone. I also always have crackers.

Hi Michelle - try to do the free walking tour in Budapest, it was excellent, I did one with Agnes in torrential rain and it was so interested I almost forgot the horrible weather, she was very entertaining and also gave loads of tips on places to go and where to get the cheapest beerin the city!

hi julia yes we did the free walking tours in budapest brilliant really loved the city would like to go back m x

Good point Linda. There are many free walking tours in cities, but how does one find out about them? And do you have to register?
Some great ideas here, keep them coming. Lets find out how we can save those precious pennies to travel further.

Hi ladies....you could always do what my travel partner Jenny did whilst we were in Essaouira and just travel with a Liesa!!!
Lol....Boy did she have long pockets, she was as tight as a ( fill in your own word here).
Anyway you get the picture though, she saved, I paid for everything, however, like Michelle and Charlie, I take my own stuff from hotel or supermarkets. Fill up on breakfast so lunch isn't missed at all. I don't mind trying off the beaten track places which are a bit spit and sawdust but generally the cheapest and tastiest homemade food.
I always shop around for flights and barter with travel companies saying you've been quoted cheaper elsewhere. They all want our business.

J....So pleased you finally made it to India and sorry now to read you've come home ill with a bad belly. I wish you well and a speedy recovery.

All the best

Liesa xx

Hi L hope you enjoyed your trip? let me know blimey that is one to give a wide berth to the next time you go on hols re your travelling partner did you not say think it is your turn now??!!

was the weather good? Mx

Hah, fortunately she's not a T&L member. I was often saying its your turn and surprise surprise she always said oh, I've only got a few dirham or nothing at all and when she did change her money, she would subtley disappear off on her own and spend it on souvenirs.

Weather was good, 26 degrees, nice sea breeze. Loved the whole experience as well as my Riad. I may do a long weekend in September.
Hope you are well xx

Hi Leisha, When I went on a trip last year with a lady from this site, the first thing we did when a waiter came to our table was to ask for them to seperate our bill. That way we each always paid our own bill, decided our own tipping, and felt good about ordering what we wanted within our own individual budgets. This really avoids anyone getting stuck and therefore there's no hard feelings. Another reason I like this is because if it's possible I like to use a certain credit card that I get skymiles on and therefore don't feel like I'm pushed into paying cash. Tammy

I prefer to go Dutch..or have a kitty for meals etc..if you feel like you want to treat someone then fine..but otherwise - it has to be split, apart from your own personal spending.

Hi Tammy and Sharyn i think all women that are independent of a man get into this frame of mind as it is only fair and i would not want to lose a friendship over money never worth it but i suppose others have another agenda so in my mind their loss is your friendship so it is bigger than money M x

I have never booked a free walking tour, I just google for them whenever I go somewhere.

I have never booked a free walking tour, I just google for them whenever I go somewhere.

BTW there is a weekly email I subscribe to for London that I have found a number of interesting free events on - it is free and called Ian Visits - no idea who Ian is but it is a bit quirky, worth checking out if you live in or are visiting London

Hi Linda.
I've just checked out Ian Visits. What a fab website....a proper little hidden gem you've found there :)
Liesa

Thanks for the pointer Linda. Ian Visits is very handy - it will save me hours of internet searching.

Hi Linda great tip - really look forward to meeting you again in london and having a chat about your travels as you have done so much over the years bye M x

Hi Michelle - if you ever fancy another trip to Budapest let me know as I loved the place but was on my own and it there was practically torrential rain so I became a bit miserable and lonely, need another visit!
Jx

Hi Julia yes would be good but i would like to go back in the summer and i am a bit booked up at the moment so perhaps we can talk when i come to London or on the tel bfn M x