Tips For Setting A Travel Budget

Regardless of whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, there is nothing quite like a much-needed change of scenery.  New restaurants to eat at, unique shops to check out, not to mention the charming tourist traps nearly every city with over a hundred thousand people has. Unfortunately, all of this charm and fun can hurt your wallet. Instead of risking breaking the bank and spending money that should instead go towards house payments on your St. Albert real estate, you can set a budget.

If you’re not sure what a travel budget should look like or whether you could have any fun while pinching pennies: here are some tips to get your travel budget in ship shape!

Get Major Costs Out Of The Way

When budgeting, it’s essential to knock out the high costs to see what you have left to work with. It would help if you attempted to save money with rooming and travel, although that’s not always possible. Consider staying in an Airbnb instead of a hotel room since it can feel more comfortable, and you’ll often save money. You can also save by driving, if there are many of you going, instead of flying.  

Can You Save Any Money For This Trip?

Consider how much you can save up for this trip before you go on it! If you think it’s worth it, you can give up small things in your daily life, like morning coffee or expensive takeout food, so that you can use that money on your vacation instead. It might not be everyone’s favorite idea, but it can make a vacation all the more remarkable after having to live frugally for a while.

Consider Cooking For One Meal A Day

One of the most expensive things about travel is that we often eat out at restaurant 3x a day. That can add up in a hurry, especially in a tourist-heavy town, and you can break the bank on just meals. So try to have at least one meal a day that you prepare for yourself. This is easier if you rent an Airbnb because you can cook in the available kitchen. Otherwise, there are still options! Most hotels have fridges, and you can make delicious overnight oats or even buy freezer breakfast sandwiches or waffles. This cheaper meal will make it so that you can enjoy your other meals guilt-free!

Hold Back Impulse Buying With Cash

Impulse buying is a real problem that many people struggle with. We see something bright and shiny that we know could make us happy, and we whip out our wallets before even considering if we’re getting a good deal. Instead of letting yourself fall victim to whimsy by buying some overpriced dog statue you can’t even get home, set aside a spending limit in cash every day.

Leave your credit cards in the hotel room safe or hidden away in your luggage, and only bring along money that you’ll let yourself spend that day on paper bills. This will stop you from overspending and give you a visual representation of how much money you have left.