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You are probably aware by now that we are entering a period where cash is a going to be a little bit tighter for all of us. With record high oil prices, we are paying more and more for the petrol we need in our cars. With inflation on the rise, we spend more for the day to day necessities of life. With both interest rates and rental prices increasing, no matter if you own or rent your home, you will be paying more for it this year, than you were last year. Something has to give.

Often, the annual holiday/vacation is the first thing we let go of when our financial situation gets tougher. A holiday is often one big expense. Skipping it can make the rest of the year a little bit easier to bare. WRONG. Skipping your annual holiday will make the rest of your year much harder to bare. You will get to the end of the year thinking you just survived and that is all. You are not here on this earth to survive, you are here to live.

You need something to look forward to, to enjoy, to reward yourself with for a year of hard work. You also need some time away to recharge your batteries, for what will be another year of hard work. Your annual holiday is one of the necessities of life. It is not a luxury. In fact, when times get tough, experiences like your holiday become all the more important. This is when you really need them, as this is the time you really need to take the edge off.

Notwithstanding all this, there is no need to spend a fortune on your relaxing vacation. This article is aimed at helping people understand what economical alternatives there are for a quality holiday on the Gold Coast. These options which will strip hundreds from your holiday budget. All that without having to renounce any of the fun or relaxation that such a vacation needs to entail.

Getting there: to find cheap airfares to your destination there are a few different strategies. Here’s a look at some of them:

Reward Programs – Assuming you’re not yet a member of such programs, you should become one ASAP. Sign up for a frequent flier program and/or a credit card reward program. Go ahead and transfer the points on your credit card to your frequent flier account and cash in on the discount this affords you.

Discount Carriers – Forget about the full-service airlines. Fly on a discount carrier and be sure to sign up for all their benefits and newsletters. You’ll be surprised with the deals being offered.

Use a flights comparison service – These comparison services will find the cheapest flights currently available, for the dates you want to fly. It will take the hassle out of the search for you and get you the best prices.

Places to stay: There are economical alternatives regarding accommodation. Bear in mind that hotels are aware of the current economic situation and have been offering ridiculous discounts to help keep up business.

Reward programs – While not as well known, many hotels chains and booking services have reward programs. If you are a member of any of these, use your points now. If not, sign up to accumulate points for next time.

Hotel comparison services – These search engines will find you the best deal for your class of accommodation.

Consider other options – Hotels don’t have to be part of a vacation, as other alternatives exist. Hostels for backpackers are one option to consider for those searching for a “shared” experience. For those demanding more privacy, there are always B&Bs, holiday apartments and RV parks, all rich in cheap possibilities.

While there: One of the great things about the Gold Coast are our surf beaches. Once you get here, you can entertain yourself for your whole holiday, without spending a single cent. All you need is a towel and a pair of bathers, so you can take your self to the beach and spend your holiday body surfing, swimming (always between the flags) and tanning.

For those with a taste for adventure, there are long-term surfboard rentals to be had. Unlike the by-the-hour rental businesses, the long-term ones will afford you a much more reasonable rate if you intend to surf for quite a long while, making the sport a lot more affordable.

Away from the beach, there are a myriad of other cheap entertainment opportunities which, with a little bit of forethought and planning, you can take maximum advantage of. From local markets and sporting events, to the semi regular and free, music and art festivals which continually draw crowds to Australia’s east coast. If you enjoy the nightlife while on holiday, try the Surf Life Saving Clubs rather than the clubs and bars. You’ll find the drinks are much cheaper, you’ll still have a great night, and you’ll help fund the great institution that is Surf Life Saving Australia.

All it takes is a little thought and clever planning and you can still enjoy your annual Gold Coast Holiday, even on a shoe string.

Damian Papworth understands that for cheap all inclusive holidays, the Gold Coast is a sensational place. begin by buying some cheap Gold Coast accommodation, and ask what your providers will include in the deal.