The Never-Ending Vacation

That sounds great! We never want a vacation to end. But in this case, if you go into debt for the vacation, it becomes never-ending because you end up paying for it long after you get back home. While vacations can cost a pretty penny, especially depending on your destination, they can still be affordable. There's no reason you should have to pay high interest rates years after your vacation. With good budgeting, where there's a will, there's a way! 

To get you started on your vacation, there are some common expenses that you'll most likely encounter, of which you need to be aware. Many people fail to realize that there are more expenses to the vacation than just the plane tickets and hotel. They fail to plan and end up racking up more credit card debt. Remember these extra expenses when planning your trip:

Passports
If you're traveling internationally, you're going to need a passport. In addition to accounting for the cost, you'll need to account for the time it will take for you to receive it. It can take 4-6 weeks, sometimes longer and costs can range from $110-195. If you have several months before your trip, apply as soon as possible. By planning early, you'll avoid extra expediting fees.

Travel Snacks/Drinks
Do you know how expensive airport food are? You will be glad you brought snacks from home. Due to the ban on liquids, you can’t bring beverages through the security areas of the airport. However, you can empty your bottle before entering and then refill it on the other side. It's nearly impossible to not spend money on food and drinks when traveling, but with a little planning, you can drastically reduce how much you spend.

Airport Parking
This is another cost of traveling that people forget. Airport parking rates can be pricey. The best money saving tip is to have a friend or family member drop you off. If that isn’t an option, budget for a taxi, Uber or Lyft. You'd hate to get home from a wonderful vacation and have $60-$100 in parking fees.

Airport Transfers
Once you arrive at your destination, you have to get to where you're staying. During your planning, call the resort or hotel for a recommendation. They may also offer a shuttle service. If that's not an option, try negotiating the rate with your transfer before getting in the transfer. If you're in a foreign country, you don’t want to get taken advantage of. Negotiating prior will prevent you from possibly getting ripped off!

Luggage
Unless you’ve booked one of the few airlines that don’t charge extra for baggage, be prepared to spend $25-$45 per bag. Check with the airline prior to your trip to understand what you will be charged so you can pack appropriately and save the most money. 

Tips
The service workers in the travel industry rely on tips. From the cab drivers, room service, housekeeping, the wait staff, the bellhop or the excursion/tour guides—they all work for tips. They expect to get them and many aren’t shy to ask, so be prepared.

Souvenirs
You may want to buy something to remind you of your vacation, or take something back to friends and family. There is nothing wrong with this, just make sure you have a plan and the plan shouldn’t be going into credit card debt! Keep the souvenirs simple and to a minimum. Remember, you've got to fit them in your luggage!

Food
If you aren’t staying an all-inclusive resort, be sure to include meal expenses in your trip budget. Food and drink expenses can be the most costly part of a vacation. Have a plan and enjoy the food!

Excursions
Be prepared to spend some money if you want an awesome adventure. Before your trip, start looking into the area and see what excursions are available and save the money to do them. Check out Groupon or Living Social to see if there are any deals on the activities that interest you. Another tip—try booking your excursion when you arrive rather than online. You might be able to negotiate a better deal. However, you run the risk of the excursion selling out or not getting the day you want. Don't forget to account for photos, videos, souvenirs, and tips to the excursion/tour guide! 

International Cell Phone Coverage
If you're going to be traveling out of the country, make sure you call your service provider before to find out what you need to do to keep you covered. Roaming fees can bite you in the butt. 

Money Exchange, ATM Transaction Fees, and Understanding Exchange Rates.
Just about anything you do with money outside of the country will probably cost you money. When traveling outside of the country, it's important to understand the exchange rate of U.S. currency so you're paying the proper amount. There are apps that can help with this. Depending on where you're visiting, the U.S. dollar can be worth less or more. When purchasing items outside of the country, be sure to ask them if the price is in U.S. or local currency. If you plan to exchange money to the currency of the country you're visiting, there will likely be a fee. Also, be sure to exchange the money back when you leave. If you do any ATM withdrawals, or debit/credit card transactions, be aware there will be international transaction fees.

With some great planning, you can go on an amazing vacation paid for with CASH and still be able to save and pay off debt!