Maxwell

There’s no better way to celebrate your long-awaited vacation than by opening the throttle and chewing up the asphalt this summer. The cross-country road trip is an American classic — and for good reason! With over four million miles of highways, the US has some of the most scenic drives in the entire world. From the California State Route 1 to Route 66 and everything in between, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to itineraries. The only thing holding you back from exploring the open road is your budget.

If you’re worried your finances may put a premature stop to your adventure this summer, take a look at the following tips. These hacks will save you money while you see the sights.

1. Use a budget

A budget isn’t just to keep your household finances balanced throughout the year. This financial tool is there to help you figure out how you can achieve specific goals, like road tripping across the country. Most financial experts suggest tracking your expenses for at least three months. This gives you a good idea of how your money flows in any given month. It also offers insights into what you can realistically afford.

On the flip side, you should also research the expenses you can expect to pay on your trip. Things like gas, tolls, accommodation, and food are high on your list, but don’t forget to balance your budget with unexpected automotive maintenance and medical emergencies. Investopedia’s made a general guide here, but it’s a good idea to confirm these costs on your own.

2. Use GasBuddy.com

Though gas isn’t as high as it has been in the past, it’s still an expensive addition to your trip. You can keep your cost at the pumps low by downloading GasBuddy to your phone. Its app helps you find the cheapest gas stations anywhere in the US. You may also win a weekly draw for a $250 gas card if you regularly update the app with the prices of the gas stations you pass.

3. Brush up on basic automotive maintenance

Do you know how to change a tire or jump your car? If the answer is “no” then it’s time you learn these automotive basics.

While there are some issues only a professional should tackle, there are plenty of small repairs you can take on yourself. When you can make these repairs on your own, you can avoid some expensive automotive bills that may cut your road trip short.

4. Expect the unexpected

Sometimes you’ll encounter speed bumps on your trip that surpass your novice skills with a wrench. A fender bender, unresponsive brakes, or transmission issues may force you to call AAA. Though you may not enjoy thinking about these worst-case scenarios, it’s important you know how you’d pay for them. As mentioned above, a well-made budget will have some savings set aside to cover these emergencies. But if necessary repairs surpass what these savings can cover, would you know how to fill in the gaps?

Before you take off, do some research on online payday loans. When you can find fast online payday loans, you’ll be able to pay for your repairs quickly — sometimes as soon as one business day after you’re approved. In some cases, some lenders like MoneyKey make it possible to manage your account from an app, meaning you can check in wherever you have Wi-Fi — on the road, in a hotel, or back at home.

Compare this to conventional loan sources, which may take weeks to come through. Every hour spent waiting on complex borrowing processes means you’ll see less of the country, so make your choice wisely.

5. Bring along a car mattress (and other camping gear)

Depending on where you plan on driving, you can skip the hotel and sleep in your car. While your car seat may not provide a comfortable resting place, you can convert the back seat or trunk space into a temporary bedroom with just an inflatable car mattress. These beds balance in the rear section of a sedan or the larger trunk space of a van and/or SUV. Once set up, they give you a comfortable place to catch some shuteye. Best of all, they’re a fraction of the cost of one night’s stay at a hotel.

As long as you keep to safe areas that you’re legally allowed to park in overnight, you’ll cut some expenses out of your budget. Many of these places often end up being national camping parks, so come equipped with camping gear. The best campsites offer full washroom facilities and other amenities, and they’re always cheaper than a hotel.

The road trip is America’s quintessential summer vacation, and it’s something everyone should try at least once. Don’t let something like finances put the brakes on your chance at adventure. Experience the open road by taking advantage of these financial hacks and you’ll keep our cross-country trip affordable.

It is challenging to cover Penang in just a few days. However, one should be aware of the must-see attractions and insert them in their itinerary if they wish to get the best experience out of Penang in a short space of time.  So, plan your trip and start making your bookings at hotels that are affordable and offer all the latest amenities. Batu Ferringhi hotels are top-rated as they are conveniently located and provide top–touch facilities. Hard Rock Hotel Penang is a favorite as it is at a walkable distance from major attractions in Penang. One can skip the unimportant sights in Penang and focus just on the top touristic spots. Get an exciting mix of natural and cultural attractions, amusement parks and quirky offerings that are suitable for visitors of all ages.

Start with the Penang Hill that offers a welcome respite from the heat below.  It is a not-to-be-missed experience and offers breathtaking views of the whole island from the summit that rises about eight hundred meters above sea level. There are a church, mosque and a Hindu temple at the peak.

• Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
  Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the home of an influential Chinese industrialist, offers a peek into the 18th and 19th-century Chinese architecture. Master craftsmen from China built the mansion based on feng shui design and principles. Explore the 38 rooms and granite courtyards and admire those stained glass windows.
• Batu Ferringhi market
  Visit the Batu Ferringhi market filled with resorts, restaurants, and stalls. The European tourist market offers a wide range of accommodation and even those with the tightest budgets can easily find a place here.
• Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest
  Head for the Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest that sprawls across more than thirty hectares of lush, hilly terrain. You will come across tourists and locals enjoying camping and numerous streams and shallow pond. Trek the mountain’s summit which is a delightful hiking trail.
• Escape Adventureland
  It is a must to spend a few hours at the Escape Adventureland and get some of the most thrilling moments of your life. Find yourself hurling through the open air, and it is a pretty memorable dozen of feet off the ground. There are many other fun activities such as zip-lining, tree rope swing, and free falling.
• Clan Jetties
  Clan Jetties form the last bastions of old Chinese settlements, and the waterfront society is made up of houses on stilt. Various Chinese clans live on water villages which are more than a century old, and each of those jetties is named after a Chinese clan. Clan Jetties are indeed the most tourist-friendly.
• Penang War Museum
  Make a visit to the Penang War Museum that was built by the British army in the 20th century. During the WWII, it was used as a Japanese army base and today serves as a museum. It is a pretty cool complex to explore with its network of underground tunnels, ventilation shafts, and old ammunition bunkers.
• Mengkuang Dam
  Another interesting spot is the Mengkuang Dam, which is located in the northeast of Butterworth. You will love its scenic landscape with jogging trails within the largest dam in Penang that contains up to 23.6 billion liters of water. Penang’s International Dragon Boat Festival is held here at the Mengkuang Dam, and dozens of traditional boats with colorful dragon carvings participate in the boat race.
• Fort Cornwallis
  Fort Cornwallis is another of the most well-known landmarks of Penang. Explore the prison cells, a 17th-century chapel and ammunition storage area within its ten-foot-high walls. You will get to see cool old bronze cannons within the fort that was built in 1786 as a defensive structure against pirates. It was rebuilt with bricks and stones and thus transforming into a stone structure from the wooden fort.