Save money on your next vacation

Before you plan your next getaway, follow this budget-friendly guide for what to buy, when.

1. Sunday, 4pm. Book your room at this time by calling the actual hotel - instead of the chain's general reservation line. Revenue managers (the people in charge of setting rates) typically don't work on Sunday afternoons, so you'll talk with the front desk employees, who are likelier to negotiate a better deal for you.

2. Wednesday, 12:01am. Reserve your airfare just after midnight on Tuesday night in the time zone where the airline is based. Look at the company web site to find the location of corporate headquarters.

3. Thursday, 8pm. Fill up your suitcase with clothing bargains by hitting the mall one to two hours before closing time on Thursday night. That's when most employees start marking down apparel for weekend sales, meaning you'll get first dibs on the deals.