Is the worry of coming home to a load of debt getting in the way of your dream vacation on a white sandy beach? Having time off to relax and unwind can seem to be a luxury in our fast-paced world. However, there’s no need to have to take on debt in order to get away.
You can easily plan your next vacation without finding yourself burdened with money you have to pay back.
Consider following the advice from the Attorneys of Scura Law on how to plan for a vacation without racking up those credit cards.
Here is how to travel without getting yourself into debt.
Have a Plan of Action to Take That Much Needed Vacation
That dream vacation can become a reality by having a plan, and no, staying up late dreaming about sipping martinis on the beachside will not get you there. Taking action will.
Start planning for your getaway. By doing this you will be working towards making it come true. The first step can be as easy as deciding where you want to travel. It’s that simple.
Are you looking for a local or foreign destination? Do you want to go hiking, relaxing on the beach, spending time in a coastal town, or just sightseeing? Also, when do you prefer travelling? Over the summer, fall, when travel is at its peak in that location or during low travel season? These are all things you should be thinking of.
When you know where you want to go and when you want to travel, the rest of the planning will fall into place.
Start Doing Research on Your Getaway
Just a picking a spot with your eyes closed off a global map and buying airline tickets to go there in a rush might have you dreading the vacation once you actually get there. How about doing some extra research and figuring out for example, what are the best places to stay at for the budget you may have in mind and what tourist attractions are nearby? Start asking yourself questions like what are the modes of transport, where do people eat and what can you do that’s fun while you’re there?
The more research you do for your trip, the easier it will be to prepare for the next step which is budgeting.
Make a Travel Budget for the Vacation
The next step is getting your finances together for your travel which involves putting together a budget. You can use anything from a sheet of paper to a notebook for this but using a spreadsheet on your computer can actually help a lot more to keep things organized and tracking any changes you need to make.
To prioritize your budget, your travel expense should include all the real and potential costs you will incur on your vacation. Start by jotting down transport expenses like flights and local travel when arriving to your destination spot.
Next is accommodation. Do you want to stay at a hotel or an Airbnb? Think about the cost of meals and drinks. Where will you be eating and how much are you willing to spend daily.
What about entertainment? Your going out budget should include any money you might need to use for shopping, tours, partying, or sightseeing.
Other minor expenses also matter. You can’t overlook travel insurance, visa processing fees, required vaccinations and tips given among other things which can end up costing you more than you plan for.
Time to Start Saving for Your Trip
Now that you have your travel destination and budget set, it’s time to start saving. How many days away do you anticipate your date of departure to be? How much do you need as of right now to actually book the vacation and how much would you need to save every month to have enough money for your trip?
Even though you put together a budget, you should save more than the actual amount needed. This will cushion you from any surprise expenses and if things in your budget cost more than you anticipated.
Some of the ways to help you save money can be reducing your living expenses and finding ways to increase your income streams. You need to start keeping track of your savings and putting money away for that vacation you want to go on.
Traveling debt-free is as easy as you want it to be. It all depends on your planning and willingness to see it out. Without having a plan and being financially savvy about your vacation you could end up enjoying your travel but end up coming home with debt that you can’t manage. That’s why planning for a vacation and knowing all the costs is important before you travel. Vacationing can be fun when you’ re not coming back home to a life full of debt. So, plan, make a budget and save.