The easiest way to save money is to be prepared. Little things add up quickly when you run out of batteries for your camera, get caught in a rain storm without an umbrella, or use the last of your shampoo.

Here is a list of things you should bring with you to make sure that you are prepared. They can be very expensive, especially around areas which are often flooded with tourists.

1. Waterproof backpack or luggage. The backpack or luggage that you choose will be your most important item. You need a good sturdy backpack or suitcase to keep all of your supplies and clothing dry and clean. If you have a backpack or suitcase which breaks during your trip it will be difficult to find a good quality piece at a decent price. Backpackgeartest.org is a site which provides user reviews on backpacks and other travel gear. You may want to start here as you shop around for the perfect backpack or luggage.

2. Reusable water bottle. The water is safe in most European countries. You can double check with the hostel or hotel desk if you are unsure if the water is safe. It is easy to spend up to 20 Euros a day to keep you hydrated. A reusable water bottle is convenient and smart.

3. Pillow case. Most hostels and hotels provide pillow cases. Once in a while you will find that you have inadvertently picked a less than desirable hostel or hotel. It is smart to have your own pillow case for these situations. When I discuss hostels I will tell you how to avoid booking with a place that charges for linens, but it never hurts to be prepared.

4. Sunscreen and Bug repellent. If you are visiting any warm countries (Spain, Italy, etc.) during the wet months you will be sorry if you are with out some bug spray. Sunscreen is essential and can be very costly overseas.

5. Voltage converter. The United States, UK, and Europe have different outlets. You can buy a converter in the States for cheap but just like other items, it will be marked up in areas which have a lot of tourism. I have listed a few below that I have had personal experience with. Both of these items held up well and were of high quality.

6. Toiletries. Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, Razor, Shaving Cream, Moisturizer, Makeup, Toothbrush and Toothpaste, contact lenses supplies and case. These things seem obvious but they can be very over-priced at stores around major tourism spots and lodging.

7. Laundry supplies. A Tide stick is a must. Bring a small amount of laundry detergent so that you do not have to purchase it at a laundry mat or hostel.This will cut down on the amount of clothing you need to pack.

8. Extra batteries and memory cards or film for your camera. Batteries are expensive and you may not be able to find ones that are specifically made for your camera. It is convenient if you have a camera with a wall charger so that you do not have to lug around all those extra batteries!

9. A few extra paperback books and guidebooks.  It sounds simple, but it may be difficult and expensive to find supplemental reading material once you are in a country where English is not the native language.  If you are taking trains or traveling a lot you may find that you are speeding through your leisure reading.  Guidebooks are overly priced in most major cities in Europe.  Below are some suggestions which I found particularly helpful when I was traveling.

Besides finding a steal on airfare there are several other modes of transportation you will most likely be taking on your trek: train, ferry, bus, subway, etc. You can buy discounted tickets for almost any mode of transportation online before your trip or in bulk when you arrive.

http://www.eurail.com/

The most popular way to travel across Europe in on train. This is because it is scenic and relatively inexpensive. The Eurail (or Eurorail) Pass is great, is much cheaper than purchasing tickets individually, and is easy to use.  The trains are usually comfortable and it is a stress free way to travel.  There are also ferry rides available to Greece and Africa. 

http://www.ryanair.com/   

http://www.euroflights.info/

http://www.easyjet.com/

If you have a short amount of time you may want to consider flying.  Airfares between European countries can be as low as $10.  The flights are short, which is good because the planes usually do not have assigned seating and they can be very tight and uncomfortable.

www.busabout.com/

Busabout is a " hop-on hop-off network and have designed it for people like us - independent travellers who want choice as they travel, with every opportunity to change their mind as their trip develops."  This bus system allows you to change your mind as you go and starts at just around $550.00 for students.

The best option for subways is to buy as many rides as you think you will need for the time you will spending in that city.  The cheapest way to get around cities is to walk of course!

There are plently of cheap and clean lodging options for you no matter your budget.  You just have to research online and plan ahead.  If you are not sure that you can commit to what nights you are going to be in a city, you should at least have the names and address of some places you are interested in.  Hostels are great places for young travelers.  They often provide free tours, free night time entertainment, and free breakfast.  http://www.hosteleurope.com/ provides real feedback from other travelers and allows you to book your stay online right from their site.  This is the website I have always used and I have never had a bad experience in a hostel.

Some guided tours are excellent and worth the money, however, more often than not guided tours are overpriced and do not allow for their customers to have much freedom.

Here is a list of tours which are reasonably priced and well worth the money. These are tours that I have personally gone on or have been recommended to me by other travelers.

http://www.macbackpackers.com/ Tour of Scotland- Local guides who make sure you have fun.Great for students.

http://www.haggisadventures.com/ Tour of Ireland- Local guides and cheap rates.Also great for students.

http://www.trafalgar.com/ Tours of Europe, African, and Asia. Pricey tours but are world renouned.

The best way to find a good tour is to ask around hostels for recommendations. There are some very small tour companies who do not advertise online but you can find them once you are in the cities.

You can eat great ethnic food without spending a lot of money. Avoid tourist traps and get suggestions from locals and hostel or hotel clerks. Restaurants around major attractions will overcharge for food that is not authentic.

Most hostels and hotels provide breakfast. Make sure to take advantage of this. You will save up to $20 a day. Lunch is another meal that you should skimp on so that you can spend a little extra on dinner. You can buy a small amount of groceries and pack a lunch. A loaf of bread and cold cuts will only cost a few dollars. This will save money and will not take time away from your sightseeing.

As mentioned above you should come prepared with a resuable water bottle like a Nagene bottle or Sigg bottle.  Hostel and hotel clerks will let you know if the water if safe to drink.  Most major cities in Europe have drinking water that is safe to drink. 

 You will most likely incur fees from your bank and credit companies when you use your credit and debit cards overseas. There are some things that you can do ahead of time and while traveling to avoid these charges. 

• Buy Euros in the States so that you are prepared when you arrive.  Put some Euros in you wallet and money belt so that you do not have to worry about getting ripped off at the money exchange booth in the airport. 
  
• Do not use your credit card unless it is an absolute emergency.  You may be charged up to 10% of the purchase by your credit card company just for making an international purchase.
  
• When you withdraw money at the ATM, withdraw a large amount to ensure fewer trips.  As far as I know there is not a fee for withdrawing from the ATM besides what the ATM and your bank would normally charge for a withdrawal.  HSBC, which is found in the United States and many countries in Europe, does not charge for withdrawals from their ATM as long as you have an HSBC debit card.
  
• Buy traveler's checks before you leave the US.  You will find that money exchange booths treat traveler's checks just like American money.  This is a safe, easy, and inexpensive way to get Euros when you need them.  Some banks offer their customers very low fees for traveler's checks.
  

There are some things which you can purchase a head of time that will save you time and money later in your trip. These items will also make your travels more enjoyable and productive.

• Shoes- Part of the great thing about traveling is walking through the streets of a new city and observing the natives' everyday life. Without even realizing, you can walk up to fifteen miles a day when traveling. If you buy a good quality, comfortable pair of shoes before your trip you will avoid sore feet during your travels. The more cabs and subways you can avoid taking, the better it will be for your wallet!
• Money belt or neck wallet- These items will keep your excess cash, your passport, and your travel documents safe. Losing any of these items could really ruin your trip. Unfortunately it is not safe to leave any of these items in your hotel or hostel. Buying a comfortable money belt or neck wallet will keep your trip stress free. I have included some good money belts and neck wallets in the box below.
  

One of the most exciting parts about returning home from a trip is giving friends and family souviners from your trip.  Souviners are also fun to buy for yourself to remember your time in a city or country.  The best place to buy these items is at a farmer's market or from a street vendor.  Gift shops in museums and hotels are overpriced and often have the same merchandise that you can find on the street.  It is common to see vendors selling three or four t-shirt for €10-15. In a gift shop you may find the same t-shirts for €15 each. 

Getting one calling card for emergencies is never a bad idea.  However, the majority of your communication home should be done over the internet, for free. To call home you can use programs like Skype (http://www.skype.com/)  to talk directly to family and friends.  Many internet cafes and hostels have computers which are equipped with headsets and even webcams. 

Many hostels and hotels offer free or discounted internet access for their patrons. While you may find more advanced technology at the internet cafes, the basic computers which are offered at hostels and hotels work fine for emailing and basic internet communication.  Internet cafes usually charge by the minute and that can get expensive.

Instead of buying pricey postcards and paying to send them home it is never a bad idea to upload your own pictures from your trip and send them in an email to friends and family.