By Guest Author Sarah Wells At first, airlines started charging passengers for a second bag of checked luggage. Now, some are even charging for the first. If you are taking an extended vacation, these extra fees can quickly add up. So how do you eliminate them? For starters, you must know that the fees exist. An increase in fees is not something an airline wants to shout from the rooftops. Most travelers showed up for their flights to learn, for the first time, it would cost $30 roundtrip for... Read Full Story

It may only be June, but I’m already beginning to receive emails and phone calls from people who feel they may have left it too late to arrange a home exchange this year. This may not be the case, particularly for those whose travel plans stretch into August and September, and especially for those who have the ability to be flexible with their hoped for home exchange arrangements. Their best options in likely home swap partners are retired members; folk who are not tied to work schedule... Read Full Story

Even if you opt for cheap travels, it should remain fun and exciting. The way to enjoy your cheap travels is to travel smart. One of the most important considerations when traveling is money. You can save money by selecting cheaper accommodation and airfares. And on your travel, it is extremely important to keep your travel money safe. Most seasoned travelers and travel experts recommend keeping valuables in a hidden wallet or travel pouch, either wrapped around your waist under your clothes ... Read Full Story

By Guest Author Wendy Mitchell If you are desperate to get away this summer but no matter what you do, there just does not seem to be any way to find extra money in your budget to afford to travel to your destination of choice. While you could always put your trip on credit, the unsavory [...] Read Full Story

By Guest Author, Wendy Mitchell If you are looking to plan a fun vacation for either you or your family odds are you budget is weighing heavily on where you go and how much you can comfortably spend. With so many options available it can be difficult to plan a fun vacation that will not put [...] Read Full Story

By Guest Author Thomas C Carroll When you want to travel you might become discouraged over the high prices of hotel rooms. $100 a night just for a place to sleep can put a huge dent in your travel budget (besides, you want to spend time enjoying the area, not spending all day in a hotel room, right?) There are travelers all over the world that feel the same way you do. Thankfully, by networking with other travelers, there is a way to avoid hotel costs. You can find a place to stay for free! H... Read Full Story

With the present economic environment, I find I am more and more being asked to justify the value of a home exchange vacation. People point out various examples of unbelievable offers being promoted by hotel chains and tour companies and ask how home exchange can continue to compete. I agree—they have a point. My husband and I have been checking airfares for a possible exchange to Mexico and we’ve repeatedly found airlines throwing in free hotel rooms as an addition to the flight.... Read Full Story

Nothing to do with home exchanging, but it gave us a huge laugh …! Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew beyond a doubt that the bills weren’t representative of their actual usage. But no matter how they tried to conserve water, the high bills continued. Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems: first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc. &#... Read Full Story

The second article in this series. This one written for us by Travis Casey, from Bexhill-on Sea, Sussex People who enjoy travel are usually curious people by nature. This curiosity lends itself to making friends easily while on vacation. Those who are willing to step out of their comfortable environment are ready to take the chance on seeing new places and meeting new people. With this in mind, people who travel are easy to approach. They already possess an interest in the world outside of th... Read Full Story

This is statement I read and hear a lot, and it’s usually followed with—”of course, I only want to home exchange with something of the same value”! At that point I usually give a sigh of resignation. As any realtor will tell you, first and foremost, it’s all about location, location, location. A builder could take the plans for a 3,000 square foot home, build it on an acre lot with rolling lawns, trees and a stream meandering through the property. But—becau... Read Full Story