You've been saving up money for this trip; your family is really looking forward to it. But when you did a final budget check, you found that you're going to be short of cash. You won't have any money for souvenirs. Here are some ideas for you to save money on your hotel:

* Get as small a room as you can handle. Don't pay extra for a larger room just because the hotel didn't have any smaller rooms left. Negotiate your rate down.

* See what discounts you might qualify for – maybe for being a senior citizen, in the military, your corporate discount, or even any partnerships with your credit cards.

It is no secret that gas prices today are sky high and unfortunately there is no hope of them falling down soon. We must take action, as consumers, so that we are not robbed dry at the pump. The following are several pieces advice on how to conserve your fuel, so you will make fewer trips to the pump.

First, use the proper octane fuel recommended for your vehicle. Higher number octane's require more resources to manufacture, cost more, and may not improve the performance of your car if it is not designed for it.

Do you that you spend half as much time at the pump as you do driving? Well, with high gas prices and the popularity of SUV's, people are spending more and more money at the pump. Today, prices and fuel-efficiency have gotten so bad that people are actually turning down better job offers, because the job would require a longer commute.

However, if you are like many people that have no other alternative but to commute to their job by vehicle, then take note of the following money saving tips.

Will gas prices ever go down again? I wish I could say yes; however, there is no sign of a change in the near future. That is why we, the consumer, have to learn how to be frugal at the pump. I have arrived at 10 tips on how we can save money at the pump an also help preserve the environment.

Tip #1 Make sure your car is serviced, regularly. Cars that do not run properly use more gas.

Tip #2 Check your tire pressure, consistently. Over-inflated tires can reduce your fuel efficiency just as much as under-inflated tires.

You're near rock bottom. Your credit cards are maxed out and you're now at the point where you do not have enough money to pay beyond the minimum payments. You can't buy things that you'd really like or need now because of the mess you've made with your spending. If you're trying to manage your debt, the first thing you have to do is come up with a budget. You have to get a clear idea of what your money coming in is and what you need to spend it on. To pay down your debt, there are a couple of things you can do: reduce what you owe, make more money, and stretch your current salary so you can pay off what you owe sooner. In terms of reducing what you owe you could try the following tips:

Planning on taking a long trip by car with your family? Don't groan. It can be pleasant, fun even. Make sure you know where you're going; customized route directions are great. Extra maps are also good to have just in case you need to work out an alternate route while you're in the car. When you're traveling with kids, make sure you plan enough pit stops along the way. To help you stay organized, make a packing list. That way with all the other last minute things that pop up, you won't forget your toothbrush or the video camera.

Everybody has a good old Uncle Lou who still talks about that wonderful road trip he had back in 1977. Now it's your turn. Next summer, pack your bags and get in the car. Here are some tips to help you with your road trip:

* Get your map out. Make sure you know where you're going before you get on the road. Use mapping software to help you design a route.

* If at all possible, drive during the day if you're going somewhere you don't know. It's really hard to see signs in the dark.

According to AAA, when Americans travel, they overwhelmingly use automobiles, light trucks, or recreational vehicles. In 2004, we set a record. Almost 63 million Americans visited with their families over the holidays. Given that we currently have 295 million people living in America, it means that a whopping 21% traveled more than 50 miles to see loved ones.

Of the 63 million that went out, 50.9 million, 81% of them, went by automobiles. 3.2 million went by train, bus or another way (5.3 %) and 8.6 million took the plane (13.7%).

There are many areas within our lives where we find that we could "trim the fat", when it comes to our spending habits. Our budget for gasoline is one area. However, we live in a society where we are dependent upon our vehicles and therefore gas. When the rates for gas soar, we are rendered helpless. We find ourselves forgoing that evening out so that we will have enough gas money throughout the week. Don't despair; there are a few ways in which you can control your amount of time and money at the pump.