Vacationers can enjoy summer while saving money

Last week, my wife and I, sans children and pets, enjoyed a four-day vacation in Atlantic Canada. We had a good time, ate way too well, and built many lasting memories of our experiences.

We also stayed out of the poorhouse by making some prudent choices, and encountered a few surprises. July and August tend to be the prime vacation time for Mainers, although these days the season does extend into the fall until after the leaves turn and drop from the trees. This is all good for our tourist industry.

Planning a vacation trip is half the fun. The other part that might not be so pleasant is paying for your summer getaway. Here are a few points to consider on the front end of your summer vacation:

. Do you really want the hassle of flying to your destination or is it close enough to drive? Sometimes driving is impractical, either too time-consuming or too expensive. Air travel is cramped, security a very necessary evil, and it gets more expensive every day. Do the math. Look for air travel bargains online. Also remember the $25 or so you pay a travel agent may be money well invested, particularly if there are problems with your flight. If you need to contact the help desk of an online ticket service, you may be on hold for a long time. So long that your flight may have left without you and your party. An automobile drive of six to 10 hours, especially with several family members, may be a wiser decision.

. Can you shorten the number of days traveled? Sometimes a shorter vacation is just as effective as a longer one. Two nights less lodging and two days less food equal real savings.

. Should you use your credit card? In foreign countries, using the plastic will have your credit card company adjusting for currency rates. Check the fine print of your agreement. Many card companies are charging a “conversion fee” for providing this “service.” Remember, if you don’t pay off the debt quickly, credit card finance charges will evaporate any vacation savings.

. Should you take your small items with you or live off the land, buying as you go and need? Take your items. Go to the grocery store beforehand as well. When vacationing in tourist areas, you will pay through the nose for personal items and food and drink. It is better to have and not need than need and not have. If you are driving to your summer Shangri-La, taking a cooler of lemonade or a six-pack of soda and a few sandwiches or fruit is much easier than if traveling by plane. Don’t overdo it. Remember it’s a vacation, not food-prep central. If you eat out, perhaps one larger meal will be more effective than two smaller meals and less time-consuming. Eating a large meal midafternoon can produce real savings. This strategy is unwise if traveling with young children.

. There are often more interesting and less expensive lodging possibilities than that big, fancy hotel. The Chateau Frontenac in Old Quebec City is a marvelous architectural wonder that provides excellent service reminiscent of the early 1900s. However, within a block, there are nifty small inns at one-third the chateau’s room rent. Also, there are wonderful views of the castlelike Frontenac that cannot be seen if you are staying inside looking out. Bed-and-breakfast establishments can be very cost-effective, especially when one factors in the value of the free and often delicious breakfast. Meeting and chatting with other travelers can be a treat. At our breakfast table at a beautiful B&B in Saint John, New Brunswick, were a television producer-jeweler, a Washington, D.C., lawyer, a commercial real estate finance professional, and an information technology specialist. The conversation was enjoyable, informative, and something usually not possible with the traditional chain hotel experience.

. What about border crossings? Be sure to take your passport (you’ll need one for sure next year) and-or photo driver’s license. If you drive, plan for lots of time queued in line. Getting into Canada at St. Stephen was a snap; getting back took nearly 11/2 hours in a painfully slow-moving line of traffic more than a mile long. I would suggest the addition of a row of portable toilets on Main Street on both sides of the border to make the long wait much less problematic for travelers. With the new bridge and customs facilities proposed, this problem should be reduced.

Summer vacation can recharge a family’s batteries. These benefits make the expense more bearable. Enjoy your trip!

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership costs $25; business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.