Sticking to Your Vacation Budget

Congratulations! You stuck to your travel budget and saved the money you needed for your next big vacation. You made the reservations and packed your new bathing suit. Now, the challenge is to stick to your budget while you travel. If you can do that, you will make great memories on this trip and not have any financial regrets when you get back home. Here are some tips to consider:

Say No to Overpriced Meals and Activities:

You’re on vacation for new experiences, and you want to taste the local flavors. But you still want to be a savvy shopper. Usually, the hotel restaurant is the most expensive place to eat.

Try to find local eateries where locals dine for better value.

Booking tours directly with local guides can save you money compared to hotel or cruise ship bookings.

Prepay Large Expenses:

Whenever possible, prepay for major expenses like airfare and hotel accommodations.

Consider paying in advance for attractions or excursions to ease financial decisions during your trip.

Using a credit card for prepayments and settling the balance before departure helps manage expenses.

Allocate a Daily Allowance:

Divide your remaining budget by the number of vacation days to determine your daily spending limit.

Adjust as needed, carrying over unspent allowance from one day to the next.

Track Your Expenditures:

Just like at home, monitor your spending. Keep receipts or check your credit card account online.

Note daily overall expenses and food costs.

Adjust your daily allowance if necessary to avoid running out of funds prematurely.

Smart Food and Drink Choices:

Food and drinks can become the most expensive part of your trip if you are not careful. If a nice night out is what you like, plan to offset the cost by purchasing breakfast and lunch foods at a local market. You could even visit a liquor store to get supplies for a daily happy hour in your hotel room before heading out to dinner!

Avoid Impulse Buys:

Slow down and think before making large purchases. Don’t let vendors rush you.

Ask yourself if the item can wait until you’re back home.

Consider logistics (e.g., how to transport large or fragile items).

Sleep on it and revisit the store if you still want to buy!

Splurge Wisely:

Vacations are meant to be enjoyable! Reward yourself for making sound financial choices.

Decide what you want to splurge on and work that into your travel budget. For example, picking up some cheap coffee and donuts a couple days may be worth it to you so you can splurge on a fancy brunch on Sunday.

Remember, managing your travel finances becomes easier with a well-planned budget. Following through on your financial strategy adds an extra layer of satisfaction to your journey.

If you need help managing your travel finances, click here to contact your local First Bank branch today!