Even a modest vacation will do us all some good

Even though this is a time when most of us are watching the budget, taking some kind of vacation time is a good investment in our overall well-being. With some advance planning, there are many ways to stretch those dollars.

First and foremost, many coupons and good deals are only available on the Internet now, so if you have not become computer savvy as yet, enlist the help of grandchildren or a neighbor and promise yourself to sign up for a class in the fall or sooner.

When taking a trip by car, many new phones have an application for gas buddy which will alert you to the lowest gas prices in the area, wherever you drive. Another application, meal ticket, will track down reviews and coupons. Food is always a major expense so if you can possibly book a motel with a mini-kitchenette, you will be able to save on snacks, drinks and even a light meal if it has a microwave, as well.

Many motels and hotels offer a free or low-cost buffet breakfast, so with a little advance planning, you can limit eating out to one meal a day.

If you are renting a car, be sure to check what your credit card covers; many times you will not have to take the rental agency’s expensive insurance coverage. Using the Internet and sites such as Travelocity, you can save big on luxury hotels with their “Top Secret Hotels,” which supplies a list of hotels, their ratings and features.

You find out which hotel after making your booking so it offers excellent savings if you can be a little adventuresome. Airline bargains are hard to find. It pays to have a credit card that rewards in air miles, especially if your schedule is flexible and you can depart and arrive on days that are not as busy.

Remember that liquids, gels and aerosols must all be in 3-ounce-or-smaller containers, all placed in a clear plastic zip-top bag that does not exceed 1 quart. Put undeveloped film in your carry on, and wear easy on-off footwear since you will need to remove your shoes.

Don’t wrap any gifts, remove all items from pockets and by all means, arrive early. If you have a disability or wear a prosthetic device, notify security ahead of time. Animals and children need to be held and carriers and strollers should be folded as they will go through the metal detectors.

You should have your boarding pass, federal or state government issued photo ID, and passport (if required) in hand or easily accessible. My personal favorite for airline travel is a Vera Bradley handbag. The quilt fabric is lightweight and the many compartments are ideal to keep everything handy.

Also invaluable are the special TSA locks for your luggage. They can be opened by security using a master key, but not by anyone else. They can be reached by phone at 1-866-289-9673 or emailTSAcontactcenter@dhs.gov. You can also use www.tsa.gov/mobile to check on airport status, security wait times, etc., before leaving.

TSA also offers links to travelers health tips, vaccinations, disease outbreaks and how to plan ahead for illness and injury abroad.

After an unhappy incident in Morocco, I now always bring an antibiotic prescribed by my physician to combat severe diarrhea, as well as a decongestant, antimotion sickness pills and some hydro-cortisone cream in the carry on.

Now is also the time to book a money-saving repositioning cruise for late fall. You will spend more time relaxing on the water as they visit fewer ports, but the price per day is a real bargain, and they usually have great entertainment. Lindale Travel specializes in repositioning cruises. Call 1-800-269-7836 or check with your own travel expert.

Lastly, if you can’t go very far, our own state as well as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Hampshire offer unlimited possibilities. Each state has a web site and will also send excellent travel guides upon request. Your local automobile club also has a vast supply of guides.

Happy vacationing!

- Article by Jean Cherni, founder of the retirement advisory service, Senior Living Solutions. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.

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