Cheap travel is a must these days for various reasons. Home isn't always where the heart is during the holiday season, but with money so tight in many households, taking an affordable vacation seems about as likely as getting a new and improved job less than three months after a layoff. But don't fret; both are possible. When it comes to cheap travel, good things come to those who don't wait. Nowadays, staying on your grind can help you reap great rewards. Travel on the cheap can help you plan a fun getaway, a frugal honeymoon and more.

Here are a few insider tips that will help you plan your well-deserved escape on the cheap:

1. Select your cheap travel dates in advance. Airlines change their prices based on one thing: demand. That means that timing is everything when you're looking for cheap airfares. Experts suggest that you start searching for cheap airline tickets four weeks in advance, because when flights are empty and hotel occupancy is low rates will be less -- but don't rule out the possibility of last minute deals.

2. Understand the booking tool you're using. When searching for cheap travel packages or cheap flights you can utilize a plethora of resources and it's to your benefit to look around.

There are three basic types of travel sites:
* Fare Aggregators – Sites like Kayak.com that comb through various businesses' rates to find the best travel deals and can typically package airfare, hotel and transportation together for a cheap price.
* Brand Sites – Going straight to the source, such as American Airlines.com or Marriott.com, is an effective way to find travel deals, particularly if you're a frequent traveler or partial to a certain company's standards and amenities.
* Travel Agencies – Contacting a travel agent is very effective if you need help planning your trip, such as ideas on where to go, or if you're unfamiliar with the hotel, cruise or airline brand you're interested in using. A travel agent can give you the inside scoop on the amenities and reviews each company has received – but they add on extra fees for the inside scoop.

3. Be flexible. Getting up at 4am to catch a flight may deprive you of sleep but it will keep a few extra dollars in your pocket. You'll find better cheap travel deals if you vacation on off-peak days (i.e. the days immediately before and after a holiday) and travel during off-peak hours (i.e. 6-10am and 4-7pm).

4. Shop around. Everyone loves travel points earned by being loyal to a specific airline or hotel, but the truth is you often have to repeatedly patronize the business or spend big bucks on a few trips to reap the rewards of your loyalty. If you're only traveling a few times a year it pays off to look around for the best buys. You may be able to locate a cheap rate on an airline for your departure but might want use its competitor to get an even cheaper rate on your return flight. The bottom line is simple: This is one time that it's okay to be unfaithful.

Cheap travel deals abound online. Check out these eight sites if you're looking for cheap travel deals, and let us know how they work out for you:

Kayak.com
Bookit.com
Priceline.com
Cheaptickets.com
Hotwire.com
Cheapcaribbean.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com