Christmas travel can be lots of fun, but it can also be costly. Learn simple tips and tricks for keeping your holiday travels affordable.

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The key to affordable Christmas travel is planning, not deprivation. Decide what you want to do on your vacation, and then find ways to make it work within your budget. Here are some suggestions to get you started in your planning:

Restaurants: Enjoy eating out over the holidays but hate the steep tab that comes with it? There are ways around this, if you're willing to put in a bit of pre-trip planning. Check to see if there's an Entertainment Book available for the area that you will be visiting. Available through entertainment.com, this discount book is loaded with coupons for restaurants, stores, lodging, movie tickets and more. Just enter in the zip code for the area you'll be visiting to review a list of included coupons.

For still more restaurant savings, restaurant.com is a great source. Just input the location that you'll be visiting, and the site will display a list of restaurants offering discounted dining certificates. Typically you can purchase a $25 certificate for $10. Check back often for special promotional offers. When you find the right deal, make your purchase and print out the certificate from your home computer.

Have friends or family in the area that you'll be visiting? Ask them to purchase a school coupon book on your behalf, and then enjoy lots of local coupons that you wouldn't otherwise have access to. These fundraiser books typically sell for around $10 and pay for themselves quickly.

Gas: Do the current gas prices have you worried? Find ways to get your gas for free and put the worry to rest. If you have a debit card?, find out if your bank participates in the Visa Extras program. You can earn points redeemable for rewards simply for running your debit card as a credit transaction.

Need more sources for free gas? Some grocery chains have begun to offer coupons for free gas at their store gas station when you purchase certain products or spend certain dollar amounts. Check around at the grocery stores in your area to see if any offer this promotion.

Fun: Affordable fun is also easy to come by with just a bit of planning. Make a list of the activities that your family hopes to squeeze into your vacation, and then scour the discount books for offers.

Need more entertainment coupons and offers? Contact the local visitor's bureau to get on their mailing list, and you'll receive all sorts of materials, perhaps even listings for free events.

Christmas travel should be all about enjoying time as a family. Spend a little time planning a fun and affordable trip, and leave the money worries at home.

Source: http://www.life123.com