Gift Girl l March 12, 2010 l It’s official: Spring Break is upon us! If you’re lucky enough to travel this March, you’ve probably already planned and booked your trip. Congratulations, many of your fixed trip expenses are behind you.
But guess what, the vacation spending is about to begin. And that’s the type of “free-for-all,” “I’m-only-here-once,” “I’ll-pay-for-it-later” money management that can get you in trouble.
Before you hit the road or take to the skies to your exciting destination, consider these travel tips to avoid burning a hole in your wallet and coming home with a suitcase full of junk.
Skip the souvenirs.
- Your friends and family are already jealous of your awesome vacation. There’s no need to bring them a dancing hula girl or an “I heart [insert vacation spot]” T-shirt to rub it in. If you’d like to show them you’re thinking about them, send a postcard. It’s cheap and effective, and it transports itself.
- If you want to remember your trip with a knickknack or local treasure, buy something you’ll actually use such as a T-shirt or a souvenir bag. Remember to shop around for the best price, and consider the object’s weight if you’re checking a bag in the airport (if it weighs more, you pay more).
Save on food and transportation.
- In life, you rarely get a free lunch. But on vacation, you might just get a free breakfast. Check to see if your hotel offers a complimentary breakfast. Staying in a condo or house? Buy groceries at the beginning of your stay and fix breakfast or lunch yourself.
- Instead of renting a car, consider public transportation. You’ll save on parking fees, gas, and car insurance, and you can enjoy your vacation by letting someone else chauffeur you around.
Bring what you’ll need. Try to remember the necessities when you pack. You don’t want to come home with a duplicate phone charger or camera.
Look for discount entertainment. Many popular tourist destinations offer half-price tickets on Broadway shows, hotel discounts for various attractions, or student rates for rentals and activities.
Use cash. A good way to establish and manage a budget on vacation is to bring a set amount of cash. When it runs out, your vacation runs out.
