Tag Archives: vacation

Are All Inclusive Vacations Worth It? Save Money on Your Next Trip

Has it just felt too long since your last vacation? Are you peeking around the corner to plan your perfect getaway? If so, then planning far in advance can help get you one step closer to sipping that Mai Tai on the beach for a fraction of the price. However, it can be challenging to know which avenue to take between the romanticized all- inclusive vacations or scouting it out on your own. It can be especially more difficult when your dream vacation is limited to a tight budget. You don’t want to end up eating more costs than planned.

All inclusives seem like a great idea if you want to know the exact costs before leaving. However, the biggest risk with them are the hidden costs, so be informed to make the best decision for your budget. We have considered the potential hidden costs of all inclusives, so you are able to make an informed decision that works for you!

Travel

This might seem like a no-brainer, but most all inclusive resorts will require a flight. If you are leaning towards a cruise, you will have travel time to the port, but from there will be reliant on the ship to get you to your many destinations. Any travel beyond will require an additional expense. Is your parking included once you arrive? The owners will pride their resorts as a place you will never want to leave, so additional travel should be minimal. However, if you prefer more spur of the moment adventures, this may not be for you.

Food & Drink

If a deal sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Remember that discounts may be there for a reason. You will not be happy to find out upon arrival that half of the resort is under construction, so ask questions. At an all inclusive resort, the idea is that you don’t have to carry around cash or card once you get there. All of the drinks and meals should be 100 percent covered….within the limits of your packaged deal. However, you run the risk of having average food, with repetitive meals. Want that fresh lobster? There may be an additional price. For specialty restaurants that are included in the costs, you may have to make a reservation which can be difficult to do in advance. Drinks beyond coffee, juice and tea may come at another expense, so be prepared to pay for alcohol.

Excursions

You are going to want to read the fine print of what activities are included in the price. Things like massages, scuba diving and boat rides are most likely going to cost you extra. If you are fine with soaking up your time relaxing on the beach and enjoying the nightly provided entertainment, this won’t be an issue!

Environment

All inclusives are not meant for the traveler who likes being exposed to other cultures. You are primarily going to be spending your time with others similar to you. The places your cruise ship ports at are often times large operations that do not always benefit the local economy. If you are a traveler who prefers to enjoy your time away without the stress of adapting to a different culture, all-inclusives might be for you. You won’t have to worry about scouting for transportation, getting lost or language barriers.

It’s important to realize that all-inclusives may not be cheaper than a non-inclusive vacation. However, they may save you the time and energy it takes to plan out every detail of a trip. The potential savings from a DIY method may not be worth the energy to some. The most crucial part to making sure your money is well spent is to read the fine print of every purchase agreement you make for your vacation. Tipping, Wi-Fi and a resort fee may be added onto your bill at the end of your stay and we want to help you avoid that! In this way, you can have a blast on your trip, and NOT your wallet!

How to Plan Spring Break on a Budget

Travel

Spring break is a magical time of the year when school is out, the beaches are calling, and wanderlust seems to finally hit at full force. Before you jet-set to your next destinations, make sure you’ve saved enough to enjoy this vacation, without the addition of debt. To help cut the costs, but not the fun, Iowa State Bank offers these proven money saving tips:

Split Costs – Make the most of your money, and divide the cost of a room between you and your fellow friends. Paying $150 a night may be a high price tag, but by splitting the cost, you can stay twice as long!
Drive Instead of Fly – If your traveling troop decides to book a trip abroad, then this tip may not apply, but for eager spring breakers traveling south, driving instead of flying could save you hundreds!
Try Alternate Accommodations – Who says a hotel is the only appropriate place to stay. With innovative new offerings on VRBO and AirBnb, you can find deals that not only save you money but offer a unique setting as well.
Get Groceries – One of the most expensive parts of a vacation is the food. Cut down on this cost by hitting up the local grocery store when you arrive. You can grab breakfast items, and other easy foods to prepare to avoid exorbitant dining fees.
Maximize Free Activities – Things, like going to the beach or relaxing by the pool, can be both enjoyable and cost effective. Since there are typically no entry fees, you can enjoy this fun-filled relaxation again and again.
Bring Your Own- Everything is more expensive on the beach. Food, drink, shade, you name it! Instead of purchasing everything ala carte, pack a reliable beach kit, with everything you need for the day. Don’t forget sunscreen!
Utilize Your Rewards – What’s the point of having travel rewards if you never use them? By putting those points to work, you can cover the cost of your flight and/or room, and reserve your money for food and fun.

Can You Really Save on Travel: True or False?

Checking numerous sites for the best deal can be labor-intensive, and potentially counterproductive. With many American travelers turning to vacation book sites and apps, Iowa State Bank is curious if they really save you money. After thorough research, we’ve discovered these four truths to successfully budgeting your next getaway:

TRUE: Travel sites offer money-saving opportunities.

FALSE: The lowest value is found on the hotel’s or airline’s website.

Many travel booking sites offer discounted airfare and accommodation, boasting the same services, only at a fraction of the cost. However, many times these sites merely display the cost an airline or hotel already has on their own site at no additional reduction. Select providers have begun to reduce participation in these travel search engines, and strive to instead offer their continued customers the best value straight from their own corporation.

TRUE: Credit cards are the most secure and affordable payment option while abroad.

FALSE: Airport currency exchange is worth the convenience.

While there are many different options to exchange currency before your next trip, the safest method of payment during your getaway will still be your credit card. With many options now offering no currency exchange fees, you’re sure to avoid unwanted conversions costs while still protecting your finances. According to both Visa and Mastercard, credit card users are held liable for zero percent of any fraudulent charges. This means that should your credit card information become compromised during your stay, you won’t lose any funds because of it.

TRUE: Traveling outside of the peak seasons offers great savings.

FALSE: The skiing in Colorado is great in June.

While it is true that avoiding the crowds can save you and your family some extra dollars, it may not be worth it if it means decreasing the activities of your trip completely. Instead of limiting your travel timeline, we recommend looking to alternative accommodations such as VRBO, along with creative dining options, to maximize your destination’s budget. These additional savings can help to bring your overall cost down, while still making your dream vacation a reality.

TRUE: You can save a lot of money by using airline miles.

FALSE: Airline credit cards are worth the annual fee for a yearly vacation.

Unless you plan to fly every month, an airline credit card is hardly worth the cost. While these cards offer tempting miles for flights, increasing numbers of travel options are blacked out throughout the year. The annual credit card fee for United, American, and Delta, costs approximately $95.00 after your first year of use. While boarding in group one can be a well-enjoyed perk, it doesn’t boast much ROI for fliers who are simply looking to reach their annual destination.

As you begin to plan your next vacation, Iowa State Bank looks forward to helping you save the funds to make it happen. Stop in today and learn how to open a designated savings account today!

How to Tip on Vacation

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Traveling the world is both adventurous and insightful. From climbing mountain peaks, to swimming among tropical fish, wherever your next vacation takes you, make sure you’re financially prepared. At Iowa State Bank, were excited to help you get ready for your upcoming destination! Try these tipping tricks next time you’re out and about on your future getaway.

Bartenders: $1 per drink or, or 15-20 percent of the total bill.

Bellman/Porter: $1-2 per piece of luggage.

Casino Card Dealers:Tip a chip in the amount you are betting, staggered on your amount of win’s. If you are playing $5 chips and win a few then giving the dealer a $5 chip as well.

Concierge: $5 per request.

Hairdresser/Manicurist: An additional 10-20 percent for a good service.

Housekeeping: $2-3 per night up to $5 generally in more high end hotels.

Instructors: An additional $10-20 per quality lesson for various sport or leisure activities.

In suite dining: Service charge goes to the hotel not the waiter. If no gratuity added put on an additional 15-20 percent tip.

Scuba Diving: For an afternoon (or 2 tank dive) it is common to tip $20 per person, per day of the trip. These tips generally go to the deck hands and dive guides for equipment hauling and tank turnover.

Spa: Tip 10-20 percent if gratuity has not already been included.

Tour Guides: 15-20 percent or more depending on knowledge and quality of the outing.

Valet Parking: $2-5 when picking up car.

For all your vacation excursions and more, these helpful tips will aid you in all of your travel spending. To better manage your finances back home, be sure to give Iowa State Bank a call! We’ll work with you to help boost your savings to make your next vacation a relaxing success.

Start the 52-Week Savings Challenge!

Whether it’s a house, a new vehicle, or other lending options, having a down payment is always a great first step. In this 52-week challenge you will begin saving a little at a time to accumulate $5000 this year! Here’s how it works, every week you deposit a different amount into your savings account. As the weeks go on you begin to build a steady base little by little. At the end of the year you will have saved $5000 if done correctly. You can also add to the numbers shown below if you’d like to save more than $5000. Simply take the additional amount you would like to save, and divide it by 52. Now add that number to each of the deposit amounts for the year and you have your game plan.

$5000 is a substantial sum of money that offers endless potential, so here are some ideas to get you started!

Vacation: Take a break and enjoy an exciting new destination with your family! Cruises start at less than $700/person, and a week in Florida typically runs $4000+ for a family of four.

New Vehicle: You can either purchase a used vehicle with the $5000 (or less), or you can use the $5000 to put a down payments on a more expensive vehicle you’ve had your eye on.

Down Payment on a Home: With $5000 on top of your current savings, this may finally be the year you decide to become a homeowner! There are many lending options to help you purchase your new home that can work together with your budget.

Wedding: A little creativity may be involved but the celebration can go on! With the largest event expenses being the venue, food, and photographer, finding inventive shortcuts can turn $5000 into the wedding of your dreams!

No matter what you’re saving toward Iowa State Bank & Trust Company is here to help you achieve it! Stop by the bank or call us today at (641) 472-3161 to get started with one of our convenient savings accounts.