1. While you’re still planning for the trip, check how the dollar is doing against the local currency. As budget savvy travelers you obviously, wan to hold off on countries, where the dollar is very weak. Compared to this time last year, the dollar has risen* up quite a bit against the Euro, which gives you more spending power. *Currency market changes, has been volatile like any other markets, but the general trend for the dollar against the Euro has been up for the past year.

2. Check with your credit card / debit card to see how much usage fee and / or foreign transaction fee they charge. Visa and MasterCard charge 1%, plus your issuing bank can charge between 0 to 3%, of the total purchase amount, every time you use the card. American Express charges 2%.

3. Capital one has one of the best deals for this. They don’t charge any fee, and they take care of the 1% Visa or MasterCard charges.

4. Many countries outside of North America may not accept cards other than Visa or MasterCard. They will of course accept cards that are issued in that region, other than Visa or MasterCard.

5. Prior to traveling, call and check which credit cards gives you the best exchange rate. To check, just compare on any one day rates.

• Open up a savings account, just for this purpose; e.g. summer trip. You’ll only be making one withdrawal and a whole bunch of deposits in the 6 months, so a saving account is fine. ING direct offers a 2.75% interest bearing savings account, as a promotional offer they even contribute the first $25 deposit for you.

• Have your employer deduct $50 a month, and automatically go in to this account, which is only $25 a paycheck. You won’t even notice.

• Savings that we save usually disappear, as we spend it on other things. If you’re saving with a purpose in mind, like a vacation, you need to write down every dollar you save, and at the end of the week literally deposit that amount in cash, or write yourself a check for that amount.

• Plan for a yard sale: we all have extra clothes and toys we need to get rid of. This could easily bring in $100 -$200

• Grocery Coupons: you don’t even have to buy a news paper; there are some great online coupon sites like couponsuzy.com, couponmom.com. Set a goal to at least save $10 per week, which is $40 a month, $240 in 6 months.

Delta

•Tickets purchased after Nov 6 2008: $15 for 1st bag / $25 for 2nd bag
•A non ticketed Infant / child: NO baggage allowance, so any bag for infant / child counts towards adult’s baggage allowance.
•Child / Infant traveling internationally, who have to pay 10% of adult fare even to sit on a lap (don’t have a seat): 1 checked bag up to 20 lbs (pounds) is allowed.
•For regular fare paying passengers, when traveling to and from outside US: 2 free checked bags up to 50 lbs is allowed
•Children traveling on a ticket that is 50% or more of adult fare: regular baggage allowance
•Strollers / Car Seats: Checked for free, not part of standard baggage allowance.
•Carry on: 1 bag plus 1 personal item which can be a diaper bag.

US Airways

•Tickets purchased after July 9 ‘08: $15 for 1st bag, $25 for 2nd bag. This applies to all flights to and from Canada, Latin America, Caribbean, and within US.
•A non ticketed Infant / child: NO baggage allowance, so any bag for infant / child counts towards adult’s baggage allowance.
•Child / Infant traveling internationally, who have to pay 10% of adult fare even to sit on a lap (don’t have a seat): 1 checked bag up to 50 lbs is allowed.
•For regular fare paying passengers, when traveling to and from Asia, Europe: 2 free checked bags up to 50lbs allowed.
•Strollers / Car Seats: Only 1 of those 2 is checked for free, not part of standard baggage allowance.
•Carry on: 1 bag plus one personal item
•$2 for curbside check in fee.

American Airlines

•Tickets purchased after June 15 ‘08: $15 for 1st bag, and for tickets purchased after May 12, ‘08 $25 for 2nd bag.
•Ticketed child / infant: standard carry-on baggage and checked baggage allowance apply.
•For regular fare paying passengers, when traveling to and from Asia, Europe, and Brazil: 2 free checked bags up to 50 lbs allowed.
•Strollers / Car Seats: Checked for free, not part of standard baggage allowance. Umbrella strollers may be carried on board, as long as it fits in the overhead. Stroller up to 20 lbs may be checked at the gate. Strollers larger than 20lb need to be checked at the ticket counter.

1. TKTS Booth: You can get 25-50% off the regular ticket price, at the TKTS booths located at one of these 3 locations: Times Square, South Street Seaport, and Brooklyn – 1 Metro tech Center. You buy these tickets on the same day of the show. The matinees are sold a day in advance at the South Street Seaport, and Brooklyn TKTS Booth locations.

2. High 5 tickets: If you have a teen 13 to 18 years old you can get Off Broadway $5 tickets for the teen, and one adult. High 5 is a non-profit organization that promotes arts, by making it available to teens through theater, dance, and music shows. Any teen from anywhere in the world can take advantage of this program. Tickets may be purchased at, highfivetix.org. The tickets are not available at the shows, but they do honor High 5 tickets.

3. Playbill.com: You can register for free. This website playbill.com will alert you of different discounts through emails / weekly updates. At the time of this writing, here are some examples of the discounts: Shrek -$45, Mama Mia – $67.50 (about 40% off from original price) etc. You get a discount code to use when you purchase it online, by phone or in person.

With so many choices for Strollers out there, it can be confusing to choose the best one.  I’ve created a simple comparison, with some  travel strollers we’ve used for our son, and some my friends and family have used for their kids. I narrowed it down to 6 travel lightweight strollers, for on the go, that are best bang for the buck, for all the features they provide.

1. Combi Helio: Weight – 13lbs; Price around $130; 5 Point safety harness; fully reclines to accommodate infants; boot at bottom to avoid from babies slipping; European style window with viewing window; small basket at bottom; handle is taller; cup holder for mom and child; quick simple fold; good handling – easy to maneuver, sturdy; wheel suspension for smooth ride; carrying strap; seat cushion -removable and washable.
2. Maclaren Volo: Weight – 9.5 lbs, which is super light; Price around $100; 5 point good safety feature, you have to push the lever from front and back simultaneously to release; rain protector is included; shade is easy to raise up, and is water resistant; good size basket at bottom; handle is comfortable; easy one hand open and close; handles and maneuvers well; carrying strap; seat cushion -removable and washable.
3. Mia Moda Facile: Weight – 15.8 lbs, Price – $50 to $70; 5 point safety harness; 4 position recline; Seat sits higher, for taller kids their feet won’t drag; adjustable leg support; roomy basket at bottom; ergonomic handles;  easy trigger fold system, 1 hand open /close, locks easily; handles and maneuvers well; seat cushion – removable and washable.
   

1. National Zoo: This 163 acre zoo is located in the center of D.C. It has free admissions. The open hours vary depending on the season. Kids will definitely enjoy listening to interpreters, who answer visitor questions, and give information on the particular animals. The interpreter for Gorillas, Orangutans, giant Pandas, Bird valley and other many animals are available at different days and times between 10-4. These times are listed at the zoo or you can check their website. You can also enjoy watching fish feeding, elephant bath, and kid’s farm -where they teach kids how to take care of farm animals.

2. National Mall: National mall is in the heart of D.C. The green lawn surrounded by museums , and memorials, stretches 2 miles from the Lincoln Memorial at the west end, Capitol Building to the East end, and the Washington Monument slightly west of the center.. Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research Institute with, the largest museum complex of 19 museums, and 9 research centers, and most of the facilities are located in D.C . Nine of the Smithsonian Museums are located at the National Mall Admissions to all Smithsonian museums are FREE, in Washington D.C. You can enjoy, learn, and enrich your mind about, American history & culture, science &technology, arts & design.

3. National Museum of Natural History: Admission is free. This museum in particular is very popular with the kids. There are tons of amazing things to see and do: the dinosaur skeletons, a vast collection of gems & minerals, learn about the evolving earth, climate change, enjoy many exhibits, such as The Saint Ocean Hall, which is the interpretive Global Ocean. There are host of activities for kids: At the Discovery Room, you can learn and do activities by using real museum objects, and artifacts. Fossil Lab: Here you can look through a glass window as technicians removed fossilized dinosaur from block earth. Insect Zoo: You can watch and hold live insects.

4. Air and space Museum: There are ongoing activities for kids, some of which are: Paper Airplane Contest, Forces of Flight, inventing the Airplane. For smaller kids 3-7 there is Story times Saturdays 11-1:30, reservation is required; you can call 202 633 2563. There are opportunities for interactive learning experience on aviation and space exploration.

1. Not doing enough research: Today, with so many resources online at our fingertips, we can not only find the cheapest airfare, but find all the information to make sure our flights are safe, comfortable etc. Other things to consider looking into are the airlines track record on service, baggage allowance, delays, upgrades etc.

2. Buying the first cheapest: If you have at least a few days time before your trip, wait and research on different websites. Site like farecast.com, forecasts if the fare is likely to go up or down on the day of your travel, therefore helping you with best time to buy. Farebuzz.com even meets or beats the price, if you find something cheaper than any other consolidator site.  Some sites like cheapoair offer $5 per person upto $25 for  a family of 5 for any flight delays, and is currently offernig $10 off coupons on each ticket.

3. Not knowing departure time can make a difference: We all know Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the cheapest days to travel. What about the time of flight? Sometimes a few hours can make a good bit of difference. Just plug in different times and see.

4. Not buying in advance: Fares go up, and there are fewer choices when there are 21, 14, 7, and 3 days left before the trip. Yes you can at times find great last minute deals; these are the seats that the airline is not able to fill as it gets closer to the flight date. However you do have to be very flexible if you are counting on this type of deal.

Last week I did a post on 10 places to eat in New York City for less:$1 to $15. Today’s post is geared specifically towards kids, each restaurant has some element that compliments their choice.  The Kids Eat Free Card will be coming soon to New york. Once it’s launched, I’ll be writing more about the restaurants included in the card.

Peanut Butter & Co / Greenwich Village: This is heaven for children. All the sandwiches are variations of peanut butter, as the name suggests. There are sandwiches with names like, Seinfeld, Elvis etc. Their cookie dough peanut butter sandwich is the best. They’re not too sugary, has a nice homemade flavor.

Mars 2112 / Theater District: If your kids are space or Mars enthusiasts, this is the place for them. It’s a space themed restaurant, with such décor, and wait staff wearing space outfits. You go here for the atmosphere, because the food is pretty subpar. Address: 1633 Broadway, NY, NY 10019, between 50th & 51st St, # 212 498 2112

Alice’s Tea Cup / Upper West Side: As the name suggests this restaurant has an Alice in Wonderland theme, with scripts and quotes from AIW on the wall, Alice themed books etc. It has a very cheerful, fairy environment. You’ll see lots of little girls with wings and Tiaras, having a pot of tea, and some buttery scones. It’s a great little place for a mother /daughter afternoon outing. Address: 102 W 73rd St, NY, NY 10023, between Amsterdam, and Columbus Avenue, # 212 799 3006

Good Enough to Eat / Upper West Side: This place offers a nice comfy feeling, with white picket fence on the outside, friendly staff, and hearty homemade breakfast. The menu includes All American food like, Pumpkin French Toast, omelet’s, homemade sausage etc. Address: 483 Amsterdam Avenue 83rd St, NY, NY, between, 83rd & 84th St, # 212 496 0163

1. Games: You don’t have to carry anything heavy, although a pack of cards always helps. Other than cards, be creative, make up your own games. Lots of counting games: count the # of x planes, y planes, how many just took off the runway, how many just landed, who can spot the 1st y airline pilot, how many d-icing trucks can you see, and the list goes on amazon has fun games and toys for travel.

2. Movies / Books: Don’t forget to bring any of one these gadgets with you, and your little one will stay entertained for a while. Laptop with DVD drive / mp3 / iPod with video feature, or you can rent a portable DVD player for $15 at inmotion stores, at most major airports. Carry couple of their favorite books, just for situations like this. If you have membership with an online store don’t forget to rent a few movies a couple of days prior to travel.

3. Friends: Your kids might not be travelling with friends, but they can sure make some. Just sit by, where other kids are too, and before you know it, most kids are going to be playing tag, or hide and seek, or some game they just make up. They will be building their social skills, while giving you some downtime. We let our son make friends any opportunity he gets, but definitely when stuck at the airport! Once when there was a weather delay at LaGuardia NYC, Seth and a 9 year old girl were both very bored and antsy before they found each other. 3hours later, you would think they were best siblings.

1. Which day to fly / Which Day to Buy: Cheap flights or lowest fares are usually available for flying on, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. As to when is the best time to book? That would also be Tuesdays or Wednesdays, because that’s when airlines launch their new fares for the week.

2. Buy in Advance: You want to buy at least 7 -14 days in advance, any less and you’ll be paying a high price. But, sometimes airlines offer great [tag]last minute deals[/tag], so be sure to check out, lastminutedeals.com. If the airlines have some unsold seats, they’ll sell those with great discounts at the last minute; they’d rather earn some revenue than fly with those empty seats. You can typically find last minute deals up to 3 days before the travel.

3. Free Newsletter: You can also sign up for free newsletter or email alerts from the airline website or any travel website that will inform you of such last minute and other great deals, right in your inbox.

4. Great Sites: Other than Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz here are some other great sites. Kayak shows you the most recent best fares its users received, for your travel date, plus all other days, right on the calendar. This way you get a quick picture, which is very user friendly. Yapta: tracks drop in price, and advises on how to get a refund on the difference when that happens. Farecast: tells you whether a fare might go up or down, and whether you should buy now, or wait to book. Trax: tracks all the cheapest airline ticket  from 200 plus travel sites, and lists it all on the first page.