If you are looking for a cheap holiday abroad or in the UK, there are a number of key issues to remember and you need to be prepared to hunt around and compare prices and venues.
You also need to be flexible in order to get the best deals.
Today's climate means that bargain holidays are hard to find but if you keep an open mind as to the time and location of where you want to travel, you can bag a bargain.
Self catering accommodation has always seemed the best bet but sometimes half board and even full board can work out cheaper as you don't have the cost of eating.
If you are travelling with a larger group of people, always consider all-inclusive deals which are fantastic value in terms of the costs of meals and drinks.
You probably won't get a good bargain if you decide to travel in the traditional summer holidays of July and August but if you look around two months before and two months afterwards, when the weather in the most popular resorts is still good, then you may get a good deal.
Be flexible with time and be prepared to travel within weeks sometimes days of booking, as some large tour operators sell of empty seats on their less popular flights.
The internet is an excellent medium to help you find bargain holidays rather than having to haul yourself around travel agents.
It's quick and up to date, but beware, bargains are very often snapped up within minutes of them being posted.
Also keep your eyes open for cancellations - although they are few and far between, they do happen and you can get them at a discounted rate as the tour operators just want to ensure that the plane and hotels are full.
To ensure that you are getting a real bargain, check out some of the compare websites that have sprung up.
If you fancy a break in the UK, keep your eyes peeled for deals in newspapers that offer a break for under £10 per person per night.
These can work out to be very good value for money if you are flexible about when you can take a break.