Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • July 24, 2013 Business Enjoy summer fun without breaking the bank Summer is here and that means picnics, fireworks and, if you’re like a lot of Amer- icans, a vacation. A survey by American Express shows the average vacation in 2013 will cost $1,145 per person. Whether you are heading to the beach, the moun- tains, or abroad, you will want to find the best bang for your vacation buck. Vacations create fun, lasting memo- ries for families, but they can also be a significant expenditure. Individuals are encouraged to plan ahead, shop around, and budget carefully so they will be ready to relax and enjoy the trip. Try these tips: Create a budget. Decide how much will be spent on airfare, hotel, food, rental car, gas, and souvenirs. Those who need extra time to save for a dream vacation will want to create a savings plan and determine how much money must be set aside each month to comfortably afford the trip. If it’s a quick weekend getaway, there might be enough money available to go now, but a European extravaganza will likely require more time to save. Start the research. The planning and anticipation of a trip is sometimes as much fun as the trip itself. Get started in the planning process as early as possible. Research the area and attractions and develop a rough itinerary. Then start look- ing for bargains and deals. Compare. This portion of the vacation research may take the most time. Review multiple websites and compare offers. There may be a package deal for airfare and a hotel through an airline. There may be a tour package that includes hotel, food, and admission to tourist sites, but not air- fare. It’s important to read the fine print and be sure what is included when consid- ering prices. Those who are on the fence as to flying versus driving may want to visit AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator to com- pare driving costs against the price of an airline ticket. Be flexible. Major tourist attractions will be the most expensive and crowded during the summer. Those who are able to travel in the shoulder season, October through May, may find great bargains on everything from airfare to accommoda- tions. The same may apply to traveling on weekdays versus weekends. Eat economically. Food expenses can add up quickly. Look for hotels that include breakfast in the price of the room. Many hotels also have microwave ovens and refrigerators or even small kitchens. Preparing meals part of the time can help stretch a budget. Remember to carry snacks and water to avoid overpriced tour- ist-location food. Be a coupon clipper. Look for coupons and special offers and ask about discounts through the hotel. Membership in many associations, such as AAA or AARP, includes discounts on everything from hotels and meals to rental cars. Look for freebies. Hotels that cater to families frequently offer stay- and eat- free programs for kids. The same applies to restaurants, which may have special kids-eat-free deals with the purchase of an (continued on page 16) Shotmeyer Brothers earns 2013 accolade from Energi Shotmeyer Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning has received Energi’s 2013 Excellence in Risk Management Award for dedication to outstanding loss preven- tion and safety programs. Energi, a leading provider of Insurance and Risk Manage- ment Programs to the energy industry, recognized Shotmeyer Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning as being the “Best of the Best” within the industry at the annual Energi Risk Management & Insurance Summit held in Orlando, Florida. The company’s focused commitment to safety, implementation of risk management best practices, and willingness to learn and apply new safety techniques enabled Sho- tmeyer Brothers to set a future standard of excellence among industry peers. In addition, last month, Shotmeyer Brothers received recognition from the Passaic County Board of Chosen Free- holders, who presented the company with the Green Building Design Award for its solar panel program. Shotmeyer Brothers is a northern New Jersey based energy company, known to many by their slogan “The Energy Experts.” For three generations and over 88 years, the company has provided home heating oil sales and service to residential and commercial customers. Shotmeyer Brothers also has expertise in sales and services of gas heat and air conditioning equipment.