Travel, it can enrich the soul and, just as easily, derail the bank account. And as Singapore is not getting any cheaper, our desire for great value travel has never been greater. We all want to go further for less, so finding simple ways to save money is more important than ever. Here are our top five money-saving tips:

1. Go Off-Peak

Timing is everything, Travelling in the shoulder season means less crowds and more in your wallet. How about the Galápagos Islands in May or an African safari in the rainy season when there are many new-born animals? You can save up to 40% on peak rates and, in the case of the Galápagos, conditions should be calmer, and warmer.

2. Take Your Time

You may be desperate for a holiday but avoid booking the first trip you see. Plan your itinerary by comparing prices for different tour operators and activities. Price comparison sites like skyscanner are great for bagging the best flight prices.

3. Be Early or Late

If you are willing to fly a day earlier or a couple of days later, you can save significantly on flights. Flying to Australia on 9 December – the day before peak season begins – can save you much more than flying on the 10th. Book no-frills airline tickets as early as you can. Try yapta to monitor variations in flight prices so you can get the best price.

4. Get Local Knowledge

Learn from other people’s tips or mistakes. Log on to a respected travel forum like TripAdvisor to quiz people who have already travelled to your chosen destination. Even better, get local knowledge. Cities like New York, Paris and Chicago offer free greeter tours with friendly, knowledgeable locals as your guide – a great way to meet new friends, pick up insider tips and save your hard earned cash.

Happy travelling!