Getting around Australia can be done, for the most part, on motorcoach, particularly tours done on the east coast of the continent. A self-drive option is a great way to see more of the “out-of-the-way” places that can enrich your vacation. Many vacation packages to Australia include a self-drive option for part of the itinerary, or you can select it for the entire trip. Here are a few things to consider for the self-drive option.
With a valid driver license you can rent a car from some of the international name rental companies such as Hertz, or you can select from local operators. It will be important to get the maximum insurance possible, which will require a higher rental rate per day, to reduce the deductible you would pay should you get into an accident. Be sure to read the insurance terms and restrictions to see what is or isn’t covered. If you’re planning a long trek, be sure you can get unlimited kilometers. Remember that you drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car.
If you’re looking to head into the Outback or want to be able to go off-road, you will need to get a four-wheel drive vehicle. These will usually have a higher rental rate and more restrictive insurance requirements. Being well-equipped is of utmost importance, since you’ll often be in the middle of nowhere. It is recommended that you have several days worth of water, a tow rope, a high frequency radio transceiver, as well as two spare tires. Remember that some roads are not passable during rain season, and some of the more challenging routes should not be done during the hottest parts of the year due to overheating and heat exhaustion.
Driving on your Australia vacation can be a lot of fun, just be sure to be highly prepared and stay safe. The self-drive option is pretty much always at your own expense so be sure to budget for it in your vacation package.
If you’re looking for a used rv, one of the best things to do is bypass the dealer and go directly to the private party. Sales prices are generally lower private party, plus you can usually cut better deals with them since they are emotionally involved. Below I will give you three excellent techniques to find the best deals on rvs for sale by owner.
1. Look in the classified section of old newspapers. The longer the owner has had their rv up for sale without any luck, the more they will usually cut off the price. I typically like to start with newspapers at least 2 months old. The best way to get a hold of these is just start saving them and plan on buying in 2-3 months. You can also ask around to see if anyone saved their newspapers.
2. Check out craigslist.com. Look at the older listings first. And only call on the new listings if they have a very low listing price. You will find that several people will list the same thing over and over again. Reserve calling these for last. The more proactive people are in selling the more they typically expect from the sale. (But that doesn’t mean you can’t find great deals from proactive sellers, just know what you’re getting into.)
3. Last, check out other sites on the internet where people have listed their RV for sale. Several of these sites charge a bit of money to list and the owners expect a response in return. But most often these sites don’t do what they advertise and the owner is left wanting more than ever to get rid of their RV. I have found this last technique to be very effective. You can find these sites by googling “rvs for sale by owner” or something of that effect. There are only about 20 – 30 to look through. Three to four hours of solid search will turn up 85% – 90% of all the motorhomes or rvs for sale by owner listed in your area.
I have found each of these techniques very effective at finding great deals. One thing to remember is that before you call the owner; find out the market value so you know what kind of a deal you’re looking at. You can find this info at kbb.com or nada.com. Good luck & happy hunting!
Did you know that Florida has more time shares than any other state in the United States? And Orlando is the king of the time share cities? Coming second in popularity is the great state of Colorado. Not only does Colorado have skiing in the winter, it has the Rocky Mountain summers to offer. Summers of hiking, backpacking and mountain climbing or just gazing at the breathtaking views.
And California is not far behind with it’s diverse climates and outdoor activities. Lake Tahoe is always a popular, year around time share haven. If you are looking for great shows, entertainment and gaming, there is always ever-popular Las Vegas. You can buy a time share tucked away in a quiet area or right in the middle of the activities.
Why are time shares so popular? Time shares offer elegant accommodations in popular locations at an attractive price. However, time shares are a major investment and should be carefully considered. Not everyone needs or should buy a time share. The added values time shares give to vacationers would help many, if not most, people. People that take vacations at the same time every year will enjoy the convenience of a time share in an area they love to visit. On the other side, many people get sick of going to the same place every year and decide to be one of the many to sell a timeshare after just a few short years. Be aware you will still have to pay the maintenance cost of your unit if you fail to sell your time slot. So plan before you buy how you will get the most benefit from your time share.
Time shares are very expensive to sell considering their initial cost. The resorts include these marketing costs in the price of the time share to the new buyer. Potential buyers are plied with attention, gifts, wined and dined to entice them to invest in the time share. When you compare this type of marketing with a direct mail promotion, you can see how much more the wining and dining way costs. Plus the wining and dining only works on one buyer at a time. And you, as a new time share owner, get to pay for it. This causes the time share to drop in value, as soon as it is purchased. According to sell my timeshare news about 50% of the value is lost as soon as the purchase is made. Therefore, time shares are not a way to increase your financial porfolio or to make money on. If you are a smart shopper, you can pick up a resale time share for a lot less than the resort’s offer.