Avoid Unexpected Road Trip Expenses -- Savings Experiment
Summer is the perfect time to hop in the car and take a road trip, but if you're not prepared, unexpected costs can drain your budget along the way. Here a few tips to help you avoid getting tripped up while you're on the road.
First, run through a quick checklist to make sure your car is ready. Doing the basics before you go will save you time and money on your trip. Start by lifting up your hood and making sure all of your fluids are filled up. While you're under there, give your hoses and belts a once-over. If anything looks loose or cracked, get it replaced before you leave.
Next, inspect your wiper blades and test out all of your lights. It's important to know you can see and been seen. Don't forget about your tires. Checking the pressure and the tread will keep you safe, and help you get good gas mileage as well.
It's also important to pack an emergency kit with stuff like jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and some first-aid gear. Joining AAA is a good idea, too. Not only will it help you if you get stranded, it can score you discounts on hotel rooms, too.
Next, avoid paying ATM fees along the way by taking out extra cash before you leave. Also, pack a cooler full of your favorite drinks, snacks and sandwiches to take with you. Buying food at gas stations and rest stops can really add up.
Lastly, when choosing a place to stay, what you can barely see could end up costing you a lot more. You may not realize it, but some hotels charge for things like parking, WiFi and what they like to call a "resort fee." If you're not careful, this can end up costing you an extra 10 percent per night at checkout. Always check the fine print -- hotels are required to disclose this info before you book a room, so don't get tricked into paying for something you didn't know about.
As you're getting ready to hit the road this summer, remember these tips. You'll see that with some careful packing and planning, you can avoid overpaying along the way.
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