Tips - Money

Here are some tips for budgeting, cutting costs and getting the most out of your money during your holiday:

Budgeting for your holiday

1. Work out the total costs of your holiday so you know how much you are up for. Total costs include shared costs (for things like accommodation, petrol, and a shared household kitty) and individual costs (for travel, transport, and day-to-day spending).

2. Prepare a budget so you'll know how much you can afford to spend each day to make your money last. If you overspend, adjust your figures for the remaining days.

3. Don't go into debt for schoolies. Put aside a set amount in the weeks (or months) before and watch your 'schoolies fund' grow.

Cutting costs and saving money

1. Choose self-contained accommodation instead of a motel so you've got somewhere to store food and cook. This will help reduce your overall food budget.

2. Cut costs by pooling food and get everyone's kitty contribution up front so no one gets stuck with the bill.

3. Buy up big on groceries before you hit the road as prices in coastal areas can be much more expensive.

4. Keep an eye on costs for food, drinks, souvenirs etc and shop around to find the best price. Avoid places that hike their prices during schoolies periods or offer expensive 'schoolies deals'.

5. Watch how many mobile calls you're making when organising a night out or the day's activities - and don't let your phone get passed around. You're the one left with the bill!

6. Each day, just take out your daily budget amount from an ATM.

7. Leave your credit cards and bankcards at home if you think you'll be tempted to spend more than your budget allows.

Keeping your money safe

1. Keep your cash and other valuables in a safe place. Replacing your credit card, mobile phone or iPod could be costly and means lost time on the beach. If you choose to leave the door open to all, keep an eye on who's coming and going.

2. If a safety deposit box is available at your hotel/apartment, use it storing your valuables like cash and credit cards when you're not using them.

3. Don't carry all your cash on you at once. Keep some money separate from your wallet in case you lost it or it's stolen.

Handling disputes

1. Stay cool when trying to resolve a dispute, whether with a shopkeeper, friend or whoever. Being polite and courteous goes a long way to getting your problem solved.

2. Got an unresolved dispute or problem with a travel agent or transport provider? Call the local consumer advice agency in your area:

• Consumer Affairs Victoria - 1300 55 81 81
• New South Wales Office of Fair Trading - 13 32 30
• Queensland Office of Fair Trading - 13 13 04