How To Set a Budget

You have your dream trip on paper... now how can you afford it?



The first step to setting a vacation budget is making a list of EVERY expense. A lot of people only budget for accommodations, and travel. And that's where you'll run into trouble.

Here's a realistic list of expense categories, which should give you a place to start. We'll dig deeper into each category in later posts.

1. Accommodations - Hotel? AirBnB? Couch surfing with a friend or relative who lives nearby?

2. Transportation - Are you flying? Renting a car? Driving your personal vehicle? Renting an RV? If you're renting, make sure to include whatever deposit your rental company includes - you'll get that back, but while you have the rental, it's locked up. Any vehicle will need fuel. If you're driving your personal vehicle, does it need serviced before you leave?

3. Food - Overestimate for this. But plan for everything. Road trip snacks. I can't stress enough what a money saver a cooler is, if you're driving, otherwise you're going to stop for drinks a million times. Are you into fine dining? Fast food? Staying in a cabin, condo, or other accommodation with a kitchen? Are groceries cheaper where you live or where you're going? Decide how you're going to feed yourselves. Include everything.

4. Entertainment - What are you going to do while on your trip? Any museums you want to check out? Are you going to visit any parks or events that have entry fees? Tours or guided trips? There are ways to save money here, also.

5. Souvenirs - We are big t-shirt, magnet, and postcard people. You may not need to budget for this, but if you want any mementos of your trip for yourself, or to give as gifts, budget for it.

6. I Forgot / Oops - This is such an important part of traveling, especially with a family. I am an obsessive list maker.. but I still always find out where the closest store is to my accommodations. Because you will forget something. Or, as happened to me on a recent getaway, you will burn the dinner, and need to grab a replacement. Or your charger will die. Plan a small cushion to keep you on budget.


Do you have any other categories? I'm sure there are some special circumstances that apply to your family that don't necessarily apply to mine.. Comment below if I've missed anything.



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