Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

The Frugal Traveler: Stress-busting survival tips for holiday travel

Holiday luggage can be overstuffed with gifts, tension and family expectations. That emotional baggage gains weight when travelers face international or domestic flights, custom agents or missed connections.

Seasonal travel can trip you up whether you are navigating through a domestic bus terminal during Thanksgiving, Cairo's baggage claim at the start of haj (the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca), or the crowded streets of Jerusalem's old city during the holiday season. Remain steady on your travel feet with these survival strategies.

Packages: Don't let painstaking gift-wrapping efforts go to waste at security checkpoints. Wrap presents at your destination. Better yet, avoid the airport present hassle altogether by shipping gifts ahead of time. Once the presents arrive, turn gift-wrapping tasks into a holiday activity. Consider shopping on location for easy-to-find gifts.

Plan ahead: Reduce road-trip stress with planning tools designed to save money and time. Online tools will let you create and download a customized map of low-priced gas stations along your route, according to The Alliance to Save Energy, a non-profit energy conservation group. A personalized fuel map will prevent you from getting lost, thereby avoiding wasted time and gas. Mapping tools are available from the Alliance at drivesmarterchallenge.org/money-saving-tips/fuel-efficient-resources.aspx. Navigating with a GPS system will also prevent costly delays.

Packing light: Travel stress increases with luggage weight. Steer clear of holiday meltdowns by packing as little as possible. Shed weight by limiting footwear to one functional pair of shoes and one dressy pair. Choose matching wardrobe accessories and separates. Select thinner clothing that can be layered and packed into tight spaces, rather than bulky sweaters that take up space and offer less versatility. Strategically review the list of electronic devices in your bags. Don't carry more gadgets than needed

Prep time: Trip preparations should include a weather forecast, a list of local restaurant discounts, free walking tours and frugal entertainment options. That information packs your bags with comfort and sanity.

Wisebread.com writers Sharon Harvey Rosenberg and Myscha Theriault are co-authors of the best-selling personal finance book "10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget," and founders of PoshFrugalityNetwork.com. Theriault is founder of TrekHound.com, a travel Web site, and Rosenberg is the author of "The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money." Find them on Twitter at Twitter.com/FrugalDuchess and Twitter.com/MyschaTheriault.