Summer Travel - Keep The Dropping Dollar In Mind

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Slowly, but surely, we are edging out of winter and into spring. This means it is time to start thinking about travel plans for the summer. While taking a vacation is a blessed event, keep in mind that the dollar doesn´t have the same value it did.

For many people, global finance is one of those interesting things you hear or read about, but it really doesn´t affect us. Well, this has certain started to change as of last year and moving forward. The real estate market problems are something we all feel inherently. Unfortunately, those of us who like to travel are going to be shocked by the impact of the dropping dollar.

The value of the dollar can be summed up in the phrase "free fall." It is reaching lows not seen previously since the Great Depression. The practical effect of this in every day life is the cost of imported goods or goods reliant on imports are going up. Way up. Oil is in imported good and you already know about gas prices. Well, food has to be moved around as well, and that takes expensive gas. The result is higher food prices.

For many Americans, fuel prices are going to be a real eye opener this summer. Prices in the mid to high three dollars are forecast. Some believe we might top four dollars a gallon. Those are scary numbers. It could cost $100 to fill up your average SUV. In short, taking road trips this summer is a good idea, but trips will probably be shorter given the cost of cruising down the road. The RV industry must be nervous.

When it comes to travel, you might want to be sitting down before you price a trip to Europe. The dollar has lost about half of its value compared to the Euro. To be frank, the idea of doing Europe on the cheap with a backpack is, well, not so cheap anymore. Europe has never been cheap, but it is getting ridiculous at this point.

If you want to get out of the country, your best bet from a financial perspective is probably Asia. Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia are all deals. There currency is doing as poorly as the dollar, so your big cost is the flight. Once you are there, however, it is mighty cheap and the beaches are beautiful.

If you are starting to think about your summer vacation plans, make sure you start pricing things early. Once you get over sticker shock, you can look for vacation options that won´t wipe you out.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of natural products such as insect repellent and sunscreen for your travels.