Saving Your Way Through the USA (and Canada)

A trip to New York isn't complete without eating a slice (or 100) of pizza, and the good news is you can get a cheap slice easily. While the much-loved slice has also been a victim of inflation, and there aren't as many places doing one-dollar deals as there used to be – the average price for a slice is still under $5 USD. The slices are huge too, so you can easily fill up on one or two and continue sightseeing.   

Speaking of ample food, it's been the long-standing joke that everything in the states is super-sized, and of course, the food and drinks follow this trend. We've mentioned that the pizza slices are huge, but the same goes for most meals you buy. Order meals to share with your travel pals  – it will save money, food wastage and your stomach.   

Pre-plan and find out the best free things to do whenever you visit a city or town. There are free walking tours in most cities, especially major ones. Backpackers use these regularly, so read backpacker forums before you go. Other free things include some museums and art galleries, but you can always sit in a park or at the beach or go for a stroll. While not free, Broadway fans can enter daily lotteries to win discounted tickets. If there is a show you absolutely MUST see, it's best to pre-purchase ahead of time.   

You can also take to the great outdoors on hikes in places like Runyon Canyon or national parks. Great for fitness and your wallet!   

Our friends at TMOZ offer a Best Price Guarantee making sure you get the best bang for your buck when swapping your hard-earned Aussie Dollars for US or Canadian. You can also use their handy budget planner to get an idea of how much money you need to save to enjoy your holiday, so you won't be surprised. Flight Centre customers are also well looked after by TMOZ.   

We've said it before, and we'll say it again because we think this is one of the most essential parts of travelling – if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel! Everybody knows medical costs in America are exorbitant, so while we hope nothing happens, it is best to not be caught. 

I know what you're thinking- talking about taxes, BORING! But this is very important to know.  

In Australia, our GST (Goods and Services Tax) is automatically added to items, and the price advised is the final price we pay. In the USA and Canada, taxes are often added at the end, so the pricing you see on menus or clothes tags, for example, will likely be a partial price. It is important to remember this and that taxes will change from state to state.   

Resort fees are another cost that can surprise Aussies when they pay for their stay in some hotels across America and Canada. Essentially the resort fee covers whatever the hotel wants it to – things like using the gym, pool and sometimes parking. Sometimes hotels are transparent about how much the fee will be beforehand – sometimes not – so keep this in mind.  

Tipping is not common in Australia, but definitely is in both America and Canada. The general consensus is that fifteen to twenty per cent is standard, but that twenty is preferred. Sadly, many people make most of their wages through tips, so ensure you show gratitude.   

If you love a bargain – an outlet mall is for you, and you can find them in Canada and America. In some outlet malls, you can find discounts of up to sixty-five per cent off retail, and they are everywhere. If you shop till you drop, consider purchasing extra baggage for your return flight before you travel instead of paying the high costs at the airport.   

Free WiFi is just about everywhere these days. You'll be able to connect throughout the USA and Canada to keep in touch with home and make everyone jealous with your carefully curated travel snaps. Buy a pre-paid SIM if you'd like to stay connected even when you're not in a WiFi-accessible area rather than using international roaming- the cost can skyrocket very quickly.