Monday, May 12, 2008

Tax Rebate for Travel?

Americans, how do you plan on spending your tax rebate? Will you save it? Will you buy something you've been eyeing for a while? Will you take a trip?

There are a lot of travel companies (and entire countries) who would love to have that moola. Travel from the U.S. to Europe is dropping off (and no wonder, with the exchange rates at nearly 2 to 1. Another wonderful legacy from George W.)

The key, if you want to use your rebate on travel, is find a good deal. How do you do that?

Well, if you want to go to the Carribean, may I suggest "Cheapcarribean.com." I've seen a LOT of great deals from this Website coming through my email box. Aruba for less than $600 for 5 days? That's a deal for an island that is constantly sunny and warm with lots of activities.

If you want to go to Europe, you'll still probably spend more than your rebate check, but if you take a look at countries that aren't yet on the Euro (like Croatia) you can stretch your money a bit farther. If you want to tour the traditional European cities - like Paris - plan to either go for less time or spend a few days in Paris, and then head out into the countryside where things aren't as expensive.

Another trend I've noticed in the deal emails I get (oh yes, I forgot, sign up for these little gems of info) is that Americans are hedging against even worse exchange rates by buying packages before they go. That way, the hotel price, for example, is set at the current rate. Of course the optimist in me keeps hoping that things will look up for the U.S. Dollar, but I don't know why.

Here's something else to consider - as a matter of fact - it's the route I'll be taking for the short-term. You don't have to go to another country to go on vacation. You don't have to go to another state. Take a look in your own backyard. Find a local B&B, one in a closeby city that you've always wanted to explore. Or maybe there's a hotel in your hometown that you've always wanted to stay in. Small expeditions can give you as much of a break as the big ones can. But always keep saving for the big ones.

7 comments:

Gemini and Ichiro said...

The package deals actually worked out very well for my human going to London. They even got a package for riding the tube (as they were outside the tourist area and knew they'd be riding a lot) and that gave them discounts on the sight seeing. Of course it was still an expensive trip!

Melli said...

Uh... yea... I believe we already SPENT our tax rebate... helping out a child in need. It never ends...

Janet said...

I got mine Friday; it went to paying for the vet bill of last Tuesday :-). I have $14.35 left, woohoo!

Renee Nefe said...

We haven't discussed what we'll spend the money on...perhaps nothing as we owed taxes this year.

We'll take the vacation anyway though...not too sure where we are going. DD wants amusement parks of course. I want someplace educational and dh doesn't care much. Mom wants us to see her. Maybe we should just go rent a cabin up in the mountains again. lol

Unknown said...

my refund went to credit card debt. gotta pay it off before i charge up some more! :)

Amy said...

mine went to debt...how fabulous

Norma said...

Our vacation has been planned for months, so it looks like it will buy euros.