Plus, travel prices are expected to surge this summer, so you’re going to want to plan ahead and look for ways to save when you get to your destination. Here are some tips to help you stick to your budget for a vacation that’s relaxing in more ways than one. Bringing your debit card along will also be helpful for withdrawing cash—Harrell-Goodwin recommends her clients set aside $200 in cash for tips and any small expenses. You might also get some discounts paying in cash instead of paying with a credit card. “Remember to pay your service workers in cash, so they don’t wait on their tip,” says Harrell-Goodwin. Use only the cash or gift cards inside the envelope for that day, and if you have any left over, add it to the next day’s envelope. Breaking up your overall vacation budget and having a set amount you can spend per day is less overwhelming and will help you stick to it better. Many travel credit cards come with perks like free travel insurance and discounted car rentals. Look for a card that works best for your vacation needs, whether that’s saving on airfare or getting points when you use it for entertainment or restaurants. If you’re going to use a credit card, make sure you pay if off. “Always pay off your full statement balance each month to avoid interest, which could negate any potential rewards you’ve earned,” says Miranda. Most credit cards also have online banking apps you can use to track your spending or lock your card if you go past your limit, to help you stay in your budget. Miranda says he and his wife check their credit cards once a day on vacation to make sure they’re staying within budget. Buying food at the airport is also expensive; pack a meal or snacks so you can avoid spending a fortune before you even start your vacation. Marmolejo recommends doing one free activity and one paid activity per day so you do something fun and exciting each day while sticking to your budget. For example, if you’re going on a beach vacation, you can spend half the day laying on the beach and the other half taking a surf lesson or renting a jet ski.
