Headed to Sunny, glorious Spain? Here are some of my favorite ideas for having more money to spend, or for just spending less altogether:
 
Shoulder season, baby. That goes for anywhere you're traveling to. Traveling during the shoulder season is a great way to save money! Almost everything is cheaper - from airfare to accommodations - and there are far fewer crowds. Before you just hand your travel plans over to a professional, run your travel dates through google and see if you can't score some really bargain flight tickets yourself. And because airport parking is expensive, and aggravating, take advantage of hotel and parking package deals where you stay the night before you fly in a listed hotel and leave your car with them for the length of your vacation. That's one travel hassle off my mind, with a savings of often half or more over airport parking.

Once in Spain, or traveling anywhere for that matter, don't just fork over the ridiculous hotel telephone charges. If you use Skype or Vyber, you can make phone calls for free over wifi - and wifi is available in cafes and libraries all over Europe.
 

Visit smaller towns. If you visit smaller towns, you'll save a bundle of money. Everything is cheaper once you're out of the big three (Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. Even if you're only a few minutes from town, you'll see the prices go down exponentially.

 
Rent instead of staying at a hotel. There are a variety of low-priced flats and rooms to rent for your holiday. You'll save money on eating out, and have much more room to rest (and play).

 

Tapas! Spain is known for its tapas - light, small dishes that compose evening meals. They are delicious - and inexpensive. You can make a nice meal out of a couple of them - and enjoy some convivial company along the way!

Eat out at lunch. As with anywhere in Europe, restaurant meals are cheaper at lunch time than for dinner. And, unlike here in the U.S., lunch does not mean a sandwich, it usually means the same great food you can expect at dinner, for about 1/3 of the price! If you're going to eat out, eat out at lunch to save money.

 
Research the free. Most museums have free days. Check local events calendars for free concerts, art exhibits, or fun things to do. Head to the beach.

Take the bus! It's the cheapest transportation option - besides walking (which I am sure you'll be doing plenty of).

 
And, saving the best for last, invest in a City Pass/Discount Card. If you're in a large city and want to see the sights, buy a City Pass or Discount Card. These will get you admittance to a plethora of attractions for free or at a fraction of the usual cost. More often than not, these will include public transport.

 
Unlock your phone. Ask your cell phone provider if they can help you unlock your cell phone. When you arrive in Spain, purchase a local SIM card. You'll save a ton on phone calls, both locally and internationally. You can also avail yourself of skype and g+ hangouts, for free, if you have a good internet connection.

 

Know (or learn) Spanish. By speaking the language, you can ask locals where they go to shop, eat, and play. You can buy food in the local markets. You can shop at grocery stores knowledgeably. You'll also be able to function off the tourist track - and we ALL know that saves a great deal of money.

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