With summer swinging into full effect, over 80% of Americans plan to travel this summer. Whether you're leaving Texas or headed out of the country, your vacation should be relaxing. ALLIANCE wants to give you tips to ensure you have the best vacation possible this summer.

Before You Arrive

           Whether flying or driving, keeping a list on your phone or paper is always a good idea to ensure you have everything you need before arriving at your destination. There's nothing worse than arriving at your destination and realizing you left your prescription or contacts that will be difficult to replace while out of town. Even if you believe you will never forget it, you should write it down regardless. Getting there and realizing you left your charger or favorite shoes at home isn't how you want to start your vacation.

           Another idea that can make travel more pleasant is packing light. No one wants to play Tetris to load the car or have a bag so heavy they are sweating in the airport. Take a look at these suggestions below to see how you can lighten the load.

  1. Keep shoes to a minimum. Packing shoes can weigh down your bag and takes up tons of space. Try to limit it to two pairs and wear the heavier pair to lighten the load when traveling.
  2. Consider doing your laundry while you're gone. Finding the time to do laundry on vacation can be challenging but will save you tons of space. If you have access to facilities, think about packing lighter and washing your clothes at your destination. 
  3. Don't check a bag. When flying, a good way to lighten the load and save money is not to check a bag. By packing light, you will have smaller luggage and avoid airline checked baggage fees. Not only will you save that money, but you can get right to vacationing after landing and skip the baggage claim. 

After Arrival

           Now that you arrived, it's time to start your vacation! However, people often see you as a target trying to separate you from your money. This pertains primarily to thieves, but you can also lose money paying for unnecessary expenses. Below are some ways to help keep your funds secure from criminals and other money schemes.

  1. Limit the amount of cash you carry. Credit or debit cards are widely accepted; if not, most places will have an ATM to draw money. 
  2. Carry wallets in your front pocket and wear purses across your body. This will help to deter thieves and make it difficult for them to steal these items.
  3. Look out for unnecessary fees from hotels. Many hotels today have added "resort fees," which are services that used to be included in the standard room rate. Things such as using the fitness center, internet access, and parking can be included in this. Consider this before booking a hotel and ponder staying elsewhere if these "resort fees" are present. 

Eating out every meal can be costly. Going to the grocery store after arriving at your destination can save you tons across your vacation. When staying in a hotel, buying sandwich meat and other easy-to-make items can substitute costly meals at a restaurant. Also, contemplate renting an Airbnb or similar options with full kitchens to cook your own meals. The money saved can cover the extra funds needed to stay here rather than in a hotel.

At ALLIANCE, we know this vacation time is crucial to one's health, and we encourage you to find the time to take a trip this summer. Whether an hour away or across the globe, breaking free from your routine to relax is essential when possible. ALLIANCE has vacation loan options that can make taking this vacation possible for you, and we'd love to tell you more. Click here to view our vacation loans page or give us a call at (806)-798-5554 and see how we can get you to Live More Awesome this summer! Feel free to stop by any of our seven branch locations across Lubbock for assistance with how to apply for your vacation loan.