MAUI - When I used to tell people I was planning a move to Maui I always seemed to get the same response: "Don't you know how expensive it is to live there? A gallon of milk is like ten bucks". I would just chuckle and say, "You gotta pay the price for paradise". I grew up in Chicago which has one of the highest costs of living in the country so I thought, "How bad could it be?" Well travelers, let me tell you, it's bad. In big cities on the mainland items such as food and clothing can be expensive but you always have the option of hopping in the car and taking a short trip to the suburbs where the necessities of life can be procured for a reasonable price. Due to the location of the Hawaiian Islands (1800 miles from the nearest land mass) and the constant influx of tourists with seemingly unlimited vacation budgets, bargains here are VERY few and far between. But there is hope for those seeking to experience all Maui has to offer without having to take out a second mortgage on the house to do so. Here are just a few ideas that can keep a smile on your face and some foldin' money in your pocket:

1) Use your computer- This is number one for a reason. If you are reading this article you obviously know how to operate a personal computing device so why not apply this tool to your Maui vacation? Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING can be found online. All the tourist-based businesses, restaurants, beaches, hotels, hiking trails, snorkel spots, state parks, absolutely everything is right there at your finger tips. Using the internet to plan your trip will not only give you loads of ideas, it will also save you time and money. Vacationers can compare prices from many different activity providers, check out reviews of restaurants, and plan out daily routes from activity to activity, allowing you to get the most out of your limited vacation time. Also, keep in mind, gas is very expensive so the less driving you do the better off you'll be. Travel Tip: If you're looking for the cheapest airfare/ accommodations, Kayak.com cannot be overlooked. Kayak compares prices from all other sites and then lists them all for you in one place. You can also use their fare watcher feature to receive email updates on the cheapest airfare/ accommodation prices in the months prior to your vacation and even book a rental car for your trip.

2) Rent your own gear- There are plenty of companies on island who will take you on bicycle tours, snorkel tours, whale watching tours, and many other tours, but these companies tend to charge a pretty penny for their services. Instead consider renting your own equipment and be your own guide. There are establishments all over the island that rent bicycles, mopeds, surf boards, snorkel gear, paddle boards and anything else you need for your outdoor adventures. Most places rent by the hour or by the day and for a fraction of the cost of a comparable tour. Before heading out, do a little internet investigation. You can find all those spots the tours go to and explore them yourself, without having to spend your day waiting on the large couple from heartland America who can't figure out how to put on their scuba masks. Travel Tip: Go snorkeling. The island of Maui is a snorkeling heaven on earth. There are great snorkel spots just minutes away no matter part of the island you're staying on and the cost to rent a full set of gear is around 5 bucks a day. Hawaii has some of the most beautiful, and accessible coral reefs in the world and 80% of the fish species are only found on this archipelago. Make sure you ask some questions at the rental shop. They will have some tips to keep you safe a probably a few leads to the best snorkel spots.

3) Just go for a walk- This sounds simple but remember, you are in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful spots on the planet. There are miles and miles of hiking trails on Maui, and miles and miles of pristine beaches as well. The trails range from a mild walk through a lush tropical forest to extreme hikes up volcanic terrain that would challenge the most experienced adventurer. The beaches are tailor made for relaxing strolls with the rhythmic sound of the waves providing the soothing background music. Couple that with some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the world and, it's an experience that no amount of money can buy, all for free! Travel Tip: If you want the most out of your Maui vacation, pick up the book "Maui Revealed". This book outlines everything there is to do on The Valley Isle but is especially helpful in finding the best hiking Maui has to offer. The book includes the locations of all the best trails (some of which are very hard to find) as well as maps and descriptions of all the sights along the way. In addition to being a great trail guide it has info on all activities, restaurants, sights, and anything else Maui related. Consider this a must read if you're serious about your Maui experience.

4) Hungry? Ask the locals- This applies to many things but it is especially applicable when searching for the best food. There are a plethora of choices when it comes to dining out but most options are geared towards tourists, not travelers. If you decide to eat at the hotel restaurant or at the big name place you saw on the visitor channel in your hotel room, be prepared to pay for it. Tourists tend not to stray from the beaten path and restaurants know this. If you take a little time to ask the residents where they eat, you will find food on par with the "front street establishments" but at a fraction of the cost. Most locals are friendly and only too happy to point you in the direction of the place with best fish tacos or kula pork. These places may not deliver the ambiance of the more expensive food purveyors but, good food has nothing to do with the table it's eaten off of. Travel Tip- When arriving on Maui, start by grabbing a newspaper and checking out the sale pages. The local grocery stores all print weekly sales and stocking up on cheap eats at the beginning of your trip will save you a small fortune verses eating out for every meal. Make sure and ask for a hotel room with a fridge and stick to what's on sale. Things like fresh veggies, milk, and other perishables can be expensive if not on sale so use the paper as your guide. Buy things that are quick and easy to make like sandwiches, chips and microwave meals (I know it won't be approved by your personal trainer but you're on vacation) and you'll save a bundle. If processed foods are an absolute no-go, check out the ever-present road side stands. Produce at these stands is locally grown, always fresh, and cheaper than buying it at the grocery store.

Hopefully these tips will inspire those thrifty travelers who thought a Maui vacation was out of their price range. There are many good deals to be found if you just know where to look for them. We have all heard the saying "The best things in life are free". I don't know if that's entirely true but, they definitely don't have to cost a fortune. Aloha