You are probably aware by now that we are entering a period where cash is a going to be a little bit tighter for all of us. With record high oil prices, we are paying more and more for the petrol we need in our cars. With inflation on the rise, we spend more for the day to day necessities of life. And with both interest rates and rental prices increasing, no matter if you own or rent your home, you will be paying more for it this year, than you were last year. Something has to give.

Often, the annual holiday/vacation is the first thing we let go of when our financial situation gets tougher. A holiday is often one big expense. Skipping it can make the rest of the year a little bit easier to bare. WRONG. Skipping your annual holiday will make the rest of your year much harder to bare. You will get to the end of the year thinking you just survived. And that is all. You are not here on this earth to survive, you are here to live.

You need something to look forward to, to enjoy, to reward yourself with for a year of hard work. You also need some time away to recharge your batteries, for what will be another year of hard work. Your annual holiday is one of the necessities of life. It is not a luxury. In fact, when times get tough, experiences like your holiday become all the more important. This is when you really need them, as this is the time you really need to take the edge off.

That being said, you do not need to spend a million bucks to have a relaxing, invigorating holiday. In this article, we will show you how you can find alternative methods of planning your next holiday that will strip hundreds of dollars off its cost, while ensuring you enjoy precisely the level relaxation, fun and adventure you need to face another year.

Getting there: There are a number of alternatives you an look at, which will make the cost of flying to your destination not as expensive as you think. Here are some of the options:

Reward Programs - If you are not a member of flight reward programs, you should be. Make sure you are a member of frequent flyer reward programs and credit card reward programs. Now is the time to transfer your credit card points to your frequent flyer program, cash them in and get your free flight. This alone will save you hundreds of dollars, just when you need it

Discount Carriers - Don't fly full service airlines. Stick to the discount carriers, and sign up to all their email newsletters. You'll be amazed at the deals they have

Use a flights comparison service. We have one set up on our website for your convenience. These comparison services will find the cheapest flights currently available, for the dates you want to fly. It will take the hassle out of the search for you and get you the best prices.

Staying there: Similar alternatives exist with accommodation. Remember too, the hotels know people cannot afford expensive holidays at the moment. They are discounting like crazy!

Reward programs - While not as well known, many hotels chains and booking services have reward programs. If you are a member of any of these, use your points now. If not, sign up to accumulate points for next time.

Hotel comparison services. Similar to our airline comparison services, we have set up one for hotels on our website for your convenience. These search engines will find you the best deal for your class of accommodation. Accommodation Comparison Service

Consider other alternatives. You do not have to stay in a hotel. Backpacker hostels are an option always worth considering, especially if you like a "community" experience. If you like more privacy though, think about caravan parks, holiday apartments or B&Bs. These often provide cheaper alternatives.

While there: One of the great things about the Gold Coast are our surf beaches. Once you get here, you can entertain yourself for your whole holiday, without spending a single cent. All you need is a towel and a pair of bathers, so you can take your self to the beach and spend your holiday body surfing, swimming (always between the flags) and tanning. If you would like a bit more adventure, try our surfboard rental service. Most hire shops charge you an arm and a leg to rent a surfboard as they charge you hourly or daily rates. Our holiday length rental rates though make surfboard hire very affordable.

Away from the beach, there are a myriad of other cheap entertainment opportunities which with a little bit of forethought and planning, you can take maximum advantage of. From local markets and sporting events, to the semi regular and free, music and art festivals which continually draw crowds to Australia's east coast. If you enjoy the nightlife while on holiday, try the Surf Life Saving Clubs rather than the clubs and bars. You'll find the drinks are much cheaper, you'll still have a great night, and you'll help fund the great institution that is Surf Life Saving Australia.

All it takes is a little thought and clever planning and you can still enjoy your annual Gold Coast Holiday, even on a shoe string