What is your most valuable pre-holiday money-saving tip?

In times of financial uncertainty, it pays to have some money-saving tricks up your sleeve when planning your well-deserved trip.

In our recent "Win an Escape to Gourmet Wellington" competition, we asked you to share your best holiday money-saving tips. From the responses, we have created two lists of money-saving tips: one to help you save in preparation for your holiday and one to help you save money during your holiday.

The overall winner of the "Win an Escape to Gourmet Wellington" competition is: Kylie Brown (NSW). Congratulations!

Kylie's winning response:
Print a money conversion chart before you leave so that you know how much you are paying when you are spending money overseas. Sometimes in markets, stores and restaurants abroad it's hard to do the maths on the move!

Kylie has won:
* Return Air New Zealand airfares for two people from nearest major Australian capital city to Wellington.
* Three nights accommodation at the Quality Hotel, Wellington - situated in the heart of the vibrant Cuba Quarter.
* A day trip to Martinborough wine region on a Tranzit Wairarapa Gourmet Wine Escape.
* A visit to four vineyards and relish lunch in the Wine Centre's Martinborough Village Cafe.

We have narrowed down the entire list of entrants to come up with the most creative and inspiring responses. Here is the list of the Yahoo!7 Travel readers most valuable money-saving tips in preparation for your holiday. Don't even think about leaving until you've read this!

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Kelly Frank (NSW)
House swap holidays! Join a house swap network and gain access to free accommodation and even use of the family car for the duration of your holiday at destinations all over the world. The only catch is also making your house and car available, hence the "swap". Doing this can potentially save thousands of dollars in accommodation and car hire costs associated with your holiday.

Rod Walt (NSW)
Read blogs and stories from other travellers, they usually disclose great accomodations, off the track restaurants, sights and trails to explore. Learn from those who have been before you or from locals. This is bound to save money and make your experience all the more enjoyable

Krista Patti (VIC)
Use the internet and other tourism sources to find out what to pre-pack (avoids unnecessary spending), to prepare for your trip (increase awareness of prices), pre-book (to get great deals), and educate yourself about the destination you are visiting. Preparation and awareness are the best way to save money on a holiday!

Leanne Hasler (NSW)
Pay for EVERYTHING before you leave! I have always found it cheaper to pay for trips and outings before arriving at your holiday destination. Do some research on how much tickets will cost in Australian dollars and how much it will cost in your destination's local currency depending on exchange rate.

Rajiv Gandhi Dr. (QLD)
The best holiday money saving tip is to plan a trip meticulously and well in advance to save generous amounts. The money you save can be used to collect cherished souvenirs and to have long lasting memories of your trip.

Bronwyn Pracy (NSW)
Give up daily/weekly luxuries you can do without. Giving up your daily coffee and magazines can save you up to $2500 per year. I also religiously put away $50 per week for holidays. It beats a coffee and a gossip or fashion magazine any day.

Ben Carlisle (QLD)
Place pictures of the places you are going to visit all around the house and at work. That way you will see it everywhere and will inspire you to save faster and put aside more money. Instead of going out for romantic dinners, have them at home. There's nothing better than a good meal and a movie at home. Also set up another bank account that needs two signatures to withdraw money.

Patricia Cauchi (VIC)
I have found that buying a tin money box (you know, one that you have to open with a can opener) and throwing in ALL your change and $5 or $10 notes can work wonders. You'll be surprised how much money can fit in one of those things. Last year I went to Malta, and I opened by Money box for some extra spending money and ended up getting $600 out of it!

Christopher Keenan (NSW)
I always email my destination hotel a few weeks ahead to inform them that we are very much looking forward for our stay at the hotel and have heard a lot of good things about them. In addition, I will also always request a room with a view. Upon our arrival at the hotel, 95% of the time we will be upgraded to a better room! It never hurts to be polite and ask!

Julie Bullpitt (QLD)
Instead of counting down the weeks or days to my trip, I count down by the amount of pay days that I have until I leave. I get paid fortnightly so this always makes the trip seem much closer and motivates me to save harder.

Now you're armed with lots of great ideas to save money in preparation for your holiday! Stay tuned for your top tips to save money during your holiday.

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