Summer travel season is here and people are watching how they spend their hard earned dollars. It takes a little bit of planning and following a few simple steps. And that can help save you some extra cash --that your kids will find a way to spend.

More people are hitting the highways en route to their vacation destinations. Naturally, the price of a gallon of gas continues to climb, but here are some tips to ease the pain at the pump.

"One easy tip is to keep your tires properly inflated. If you do, you can increase your gas mileage by as much as 3%." Look on the door jamb or in your owner's manual for your vehicle's recommended tire pressure.

Another way to increase fuel efficiency is to keep your tank above the 1/8th mark. If you let it fall below that level, the fuel pump can pick up sediment which could damage it.

Also, slow down! Speeding and rapid acceleration/deceleration can decrease your gas mileage.

Here's another tip: drive at night. Traveling in non-peak hours avoids stops and starts, also increasing fuel efficiency.

And finally, if you're thinking about renting a car for this year's vacation… "Be sure to investigate all the fees associated with renting the car. Many times people will see an advertisement for a low rate, but when all is said and done, you might end up paying much more when you add the tax and fees to it."