Take Your Budget on Vacation
Sunscreen, flip flops and…You want to relax on vacation. The trouble is, so does your budget. Here’s how to make sure your trip doesn’t turn into a fiscal fiasco.
1. Plan to spend. Most people have a ballpark figure for what a getaway will cost. Hint: That’s not a budget. Use this detailed worksheet to break down your travel expenses.
Putting numbers to your plans helps you to think through aspects of the trip you might have otherwise overlooked (taxis, beverages, water ski rentals), and double check prices, hidden costs, stuff you have to buy before you even get there, etc.
2. Adjust yourself. Once you have a basic tally, compare that to what you’ve saved. If your $500 camping trip is going to cost $750 with gas, tolls and park fees—or the family’s trip to Europe just went up a few hundred because you all need new passports—adjust your budget:
*Save more—it’s only the start of the summer.
*Look for discounts using Voyij.com, TravelZoo.com and Kayak’s buzz feature for the best news on real-time deals.
Bottom line
You spend money on vacation so you can enjoy yourself—not come home to a big Visa hangover. Increase your short-term savings now to make sure you have enough. Share your travel deals and steals here.
-MP Dunleavey for Daily Worth
Cart
27 Comments
Post a Commentthanks for the great advise signing up now
My sister and I go to Maine every year and we like to eat out but to save money we go to the grocery store and get cereal, milk, stuff for a dinner or 2 and maybe some snacks so we are not spending tons of money on unhealthy beach food.
Also if you have a destination you frequequent….don’t spend money on stupid trinkets…get something you will enjoy for a while like a sweatshirt, that way you wont have to pack one from home either
set up a vacation fund,have money taken directly from your pay check,you deserve it girl
love the detail sheet helps alot when you are on a budget
I need a serious vacation! Thanks for the article!
I use travelzoo and cheapcaribbean for good deals, and I’m always googling different sites to take an improptu vacay with my GFs.
i just signed up at “daily worth” and i’m ready to get my savings on! as for vacas, planning ahead and saving $ in the winter def helps w/ the visa hangover when you return.
Omg keywest is the place to go on a budget with all the private islands and cheap restaurant. I love it
i am leaving for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 2 weeks.
A group of us went through Liberty Travel and booked at an all inclusive resort. It was $1300 which includes airfare.
I think the misconception is that vacationing is not affordable. It is when you plan properly. I’m a single mom of two and I’m able to pull it off. I just came back from the Caribbean off Carnival Cruise lines. Both trips I afforded in installments.
Get out there and do it!
Oh, and a lot of times as the “Group Leader” you can get a discount off your accomodations when so many people book!
luv it
ready to vaca !
I wish i had friends (with money) to take a really cool vacation! uggghhh!
love this article
Loved this article, more travel tips please! Personally, I often combine vacations with trips to see family/friends and then take day trips from there. This way, I can save a bit by staying with family friends, but I always offer to cook (then again, I love to cook) and always make sure I don’t cause extra housework for my host. The upside is that I get to see loved ones and the day-trips ensure that A) I sight-see and B) I’m not taking up too much of my host’s time. When I visit my sister, I always offer to babysit at least one night so that she and her hubby can have a night out…plus I get more QT with my nieces.
Cruising is the way to go, with all the meals and great activities included – you can book well in advance and save a little every month until the trip – all you need to worry about after that is the bar bill
can i redeem points for a vacation?
I find that my get-away always cost more than I budgeted for!!! This spring I could only afford to take a vacation because of frequent flyer miles. They wouldn’t take me to Hawaii, however, I was able to make it to a small island in the Carribean, Dominica.
went to Dominica while on the cruise ship. I didn’t feel safe but I heard if you venture off the island is really beautiful. Just be very cautious and enjoy!
great article!
My cousin and I are going to San Francisco this Aug for my birthday. We have not been there since we were kids. It must have been about 10 years, so it’s like going there for the first time. Does anyone live in San Francisco or anyone that has been there know any good suggestions? We are going to be staying in the financial district. So far, we plan on seeing Alcatraz, but I do not know whether to purchase a group tour package that includes other sightseeings or just the Alcatraz tour alone. Any good sushi or veggie/vegan restaurants? Even though this is a vacation and we obviously want to have fun, we are trying to find the best deals possible. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!
Thanks- the spreadsheet was a great idea- when’s the next spa getaway?
My cousin and I are going to San Francisco this Aug for my birthday. We have not been there since we were kids. It must have been about 10 years, so it’s like going there for the first time. Does anyone live in San Francisco or anyone that has been there know any good suggestions? We are going to be staying in the financial district. So far, we plan on seeing Alcatraz, but I do not know whether to purchase a group tour package that includes other sightseeings or just the Alcatraz tour alone. Any good sushi or veggie/vegan restaurants? Even though this is a vacation and we obviously want to have fun, we are trying to find the best deals possible. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!