First timer going 12 july.

[Madabouttigger]

When you get your dollers request some $1 bills, you will need these for tipping so always keep some handy. Coco beach is also good, not as stunning as the gulf coast beaches but not as far to drive. Your kids would probably love Ron Jons Surf shop at coco beach too.

Diane.

[duggie]

Again thanks to everybody who has taken the time to help with making this trip be somthing extra special to remember for my family.

I think i might need to book an extra 2 weeks.

Lee

[alanm]

Mmmm...everyones finances are different, we had a budget of $4000 for two weeks to cover food, drinks, car parking, petrol and that kind of day to day stuff, we brought cash, half strapped to to my belly and other half strapped to other half [msnsmile] divided into daily amounts in envelopes, villa did have a safe and monitored alarm though. Spent about $3200. This does not include what was spent on the shed load of stuff the missus bought, clothes & shoes etc and I'm afraid to ask [:O] On average spent $40 for lunch in the parks and between $55 to $75 + tip for dinner out in evenings including a couple of drinks each, 2 adults 2 kids 12 & 5, breakfast mainly in the villa, the couple of times we had breakfast out $35 to $45

[jeansusrentals]

Holmes Beach at Anna Marie Island wins our vote! CLEAN toilets, great cafe for breakfast and lunch. ..and nice clean beach[msncool]Jean

[NigelM]

I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to spending money. Had always used T/CQs until last time (2009) when I converted to cash and Nationwide debit card. Now that there are some further charges on using to debit card I think I will revert to Amex TCqs. I have confirmed with BoA that they will exchange them free of commission. I will also take a PO credit card for other expenses during the trip.

I would vote for Perkins as the best place for a load up brekkie and Applebees for a great place to eat which has good deals for family meals.

[kitch50]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by alanm
Mmmm...everyones finances are different, we had a budget of $4000 for two weeks to cover food, drinks, car parking, petrol and that kind of day to day stuff, we brought cash, half strapped to to my belly and other half strapped to other half [msnsmile] divided into daily amounts in envelopes, villa did have a safe and monitored alarm though. Spent about $3200. This does not include what was spent on the shed load of stuff the missus bought, clothes & shoes etc and I'm afraid to ask [:O] On average spent $40 for lunch in the parks and between $55 to $75 + tip for dinner out in evenings including a couple of drinks each, 2 adults 2 kids 12 & 5, breakfast mainly in the villa, the couple of times we had breakfast out $35 to $45
[/quote]

We always take cash with us ... I apparently can't be trusted with a credit card !!![msnwink] but seriously ... we always take cash and portion it out into daily amounts, this money is for food, petrol,ice creams etc, basically anything we spend throughout the day, for us this works really well but we do take the credit card for emergencies and to swipe at the car rental desk. Any money we have left at the end of each day goes "into the pot" and we have a special meal on our last day.

[duggie]

Thanks all, I Feel like your coming with me[msnsmile2],might need bigger cases

I dont think i am brave enough to take that amount of cash with me if it gets stolen its all gone.
I do like the idea of daily amounts though. Do people think that £2500 for 3 weeks is realistic ( about $190 a day) i dont want to be scrimping when i have already spent so much on the holiday to get there.

Lee

[kitch50]

Duggie

When we go we have about $150 per day and we have never said no if the children ask for anything when we are out. Personally that would be plenty per day for us but everyone has a different opinion on how much is enough to take ... there are plenty of threads on the forum covering this very subject.

[Sandra M]

We usually set aside $150 a day as well, but some days we spend more and some days less so it all works out ok [msnsmile2]

Sandra

[syrup]

We normaly take travellers cheques and a small amount of cash but this year we've decided to take a FairFX pre paid dollar card (I hope I'm allowed to say the name) which has good exchange rates plus the usual small ammount of cash.

If you get time Clearwater and/or St Pete's is worth a visit for a beach day!