Questions to Ask Yourself to Help Save Money on Vacation

Wander With Wonder - Discovering Wow Moments Around the World or Across the Street
Looking for ways to save money on vacation? Ask yourself these six questions to help save money before, during, and after your trip.
Everyone deserves a vacation now and then. Despite being beneficial to our overall health and happiness, a vacation can be a privilege amidst today’s rising inflation and difficult economic times. Many people find it difficult to save up for a vacation. This guide to the psychology behind spending money explains that this is primarily due to unhealthy money habits and emotional spending. So before you go on vacation, here are six questions you can ask yourself to save money before, during, and even after your trip.
How Prepared Am I to Go on a Vacation?
Financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin says that “ emotions drive most decision-making ” and that people generally know whether or not they’re financially prepared for a big expense. But due to the high emotions and excitement involved in traveling, we often feel we have much more money than we do. Have you been going over your budget in the past few months? Are you planning a vacation impulsively? These are signs of an unhealthy relationship with money, which can even be harmful during the trip.
You can help learn to travel on a budget by planning in advance. Photo by kitzcorner via iStock by Getty Images
What is the Current State of My Finances?
In line with the previous point, checking your savings, credit score, and other outstanding accounts is necessary to understand the state of your finances. This will help you set a budget and determine when and where you should travel. If you have impending payments, take these into account so that you don’t overestimate your financial capacity. This is also a great question to ask yourself occasionally as you go about your trip.
Everyone wants to travel, but can you afford a vacation? Photo courtesy iStock by Getty Images
What’s the Scale of My Vacation?
You don’t always have to splurge for a vacation—many affordable holiday destinations exist worldwide. You can head to the Scottish Highlands if you want to experience the countryside or Windsor if you want to see regal sights on a budget. Spain is another popular and versatile choice that offers great weather. Of course, you can always go to a local destination you haven’t visited before, as it’s the most economical choice. Ask yourself about the scale of your holiday and choose one according to your finances.
Choose a vacation that fits your budget. Photo by SHansche via iStock by Getty Images
Am I Willing to Prioritize Cost Over Comfort?
Many times, you’ll find yourself choosing between the two. Cheap flight tickets may sound tempting, but you may spend more to entertain yourself during a six-hour layover. You might also discover that your ridiculously affordable lodging is miles away from the tourist spots you’d like to visit, costing you more for transportation. We suggest asking yourself this question to choose between different options. Of course, finding a good middle ground between cost and comfort is ideal.
What Are the Things I Need to Pay for Upfront?
Plane tickets, hotel rooms, restaurant reservations, Broadway shows, and other event expenses are often paid upfront. Getting these out of the way will help you understand what else needs to be accounted for in terms of your budget. If you have a good credit score, it might be wise to use a travel credit card or a rewards card, especially if you’re a frequent traveler.
Take time to create a travel budget. Photo by InspirationGP via iStock by Getty Images
Articles Related to Helping You Save Money on Vacation

4 Ways to Make Family Holidays More Budget-Friendly
Pros and Cons of Taking Out a Vacation Loan
5 Questions to Ask Before Your First Working Vacation

What Are My Goals for This Trip?
Lastly, identify your main goals for the trip. The answer doesn’t have to be tangible or easily measurable—it can be entertainment, making memories with your family, shopping, or learning about others’ cultures. Exciting, adventurous, and challenging activities might be the priority if you are a high sensation seeker or spontaneous traveler . The reverse is often true for low sensation seekers. Prioritize your trip goals to save money and avoid impulsive spending.
.
Questions to Ask Yourself to Help Save Money on Vacation
The post Questions to Ask Yourself to Help Save Money on Vacation appeared first on Wander With Wonder .