3 easy budget steps to plan a memorable vacation

There are 3 easy budget steps need to plan a memorable vacation. The things to consider are you work schedule, how much you can spend, and where you want to go. These all work together. Determine these three things before moving on to making reservations and packing your suitcase.

The first step in planning a trip: Work

If you want to go on vacation, talk to your employer. You will need to ask your employer the answers to following bullet points:

• How much vacation time are you allowed to take each year?
• How much time have you already taken?
• Do you have to take your vacation during a certain season?

Once you know what time of year you can go and for how long, it’s time to decide where to go and when.

1. When you can travel

Knowing when you can vacation will help you narrow down where you can go. The number days will be determined by your budget. How expensive is it to stay? How much is it to eat those many days? How much does it cost to do things?

2. Where you can travel

The skies the limit as to where you can vacation. It’s up to your dreams and bucket list. Where you go to vacation is determined by your budget. What is the cost to get there, to eat there, to stay there, and for the excursions?

The second step in planning a trip: Budget

There is no point in going into debt over a vacation. Plan on saving money ahead of time so you can pay for all of it without accruing any debt.

1. What goes into determining your budget?

• How much money you have already saved.
• How much money you can realistically count on before going on the trip that is not saved.
• How much money you can realistically pay after the trip. How much will go on the credit card that can be payed off when the credit card bill arrives after your vacation.

Add up this number and you have your the highest amount you can use. If you can travel for less, you can put that away for your next adventure!

2. is your location realistic?

Once you know what you can spend, without going into debt in any way, you will need to determine this. Let’s look into the costs for your choice:

Driving Costs

Driving is usually the cheapest way to go plus you have a car at your destination. To read more if this is the best option, read my other post on finding the cheapest way to travel here.

Figure out the cost for the list below and multiply the list with the number of days to get your total.

• Gas
• 3 meals a day
• lodging while on the road to your destination

Flying Costs

Flying has the advantage of getting you to your destination faster. Usually it is the more expensive option. However, if you have flyer miles you can get deals on your flight, hotel and car rental. Companies like Expedia will also offer bundled packages for great prices.

Figure out the cost for the list below to get your total.

• Your flights
• Meals you might need to buy if layovers happen over meal times
• Parking your car at the airport or ubering if you can’t get dropped off at the airport.
• Renting a car for the duration of your trip if you need a car for your vacation.

Lodging Costs

There are many options when it comes to lodging. You can camp, houseboat, KOA, Airbnb, hotel, or stay at friends it. Each comes with different prices. Do you want to stay close to transit? Do you want to stay near a certain attraction?

Figure out the cost from the list below to get your total.

• How much does it cost to stay in your vacation destination lodging?

Meals Costs

Your food costs depend on what you want to eat. Do you want to cook your food, order your food, or go to a restaurant? Think this through and decide.

Figure out the average cost, think higher than lower here, from the lost below. to get your total.

• 3 meals a day
• Will you get hotel reservations that have free breakfast? If not, what is the cost for getting breakfast?
• How many days will you go out for lunch. If you are staying in a place with a kitchen, what is the cost for lunches?
• How many nights you will out to dinner? If you have a kitchen, how much does it cost for the meals you cook? Can you bring some food with you to help costs?

Excursions Costs

Excursions are the costs for anything you want to do while on vacation. Look at what you want to see and do. What is the cost for each? When searching type these things into google:

• Best thing to do in (location)
• What must you see in (location)
• What interesting things are there to do in (location)
• What foods is (location) known for
• If you have a 3 days type: What are the top 5 things to do in (location). [Pick your favorite that realistic fit into your days.]
• If you have a week type: What are the top 10 things to do in (location) [Pick your favorite that realistic fit into your days.]

Add them all up for your total.

The third step in planning: Vacation Spot Costs

Add up your totals above for your over vacation cost. To make sure you are close to the right number check google. To get an idea of what it could cost, ask google: What’s the average cost for a vacation to (name location) for (number) people. How does it look to you?

To high

You will need to cut somewhere. This is totally your preference. What’s important enough to keep? Things to consider:

• Vacation less days: This will cut down on everything- food and rentals
• Do more free and less costly things
• Find cheaper lodgings
• Travel a cheaper way
• If you are flexible with vacation time, look at different dates. Find the cheapest and then work from there.

Too low

Celebrate! You get to have the vacation you have always dreamed of. Start saving for your next vacation!!

Check other posts to help plan your next vacation!

How to pick the cheapest way to travel

Easily create an itinerary for your next fantastic vacation

This is how I plan all of my trips. Sometimes I have to make big adjustments and sometimes just a few to keep my vacation within budget. Let me know what you think in the comments below!