Summer Spending

5 tips to avoid vacation overspending

What do you remember most about last summer’s vacation? If you said, “the credit card bill,” here are five hacks to be sure your time away this year doesn’t cost more than you budgeted for.

1. Overestimate your vacation expenses

Inflation follows you everywhere you go. Rounding costs up – whether that’s for dinners out or gas for the rental car – might give you the wiggle room you need to keep everything on track.

2. Pay ahead

Whenever possible, pay for your trip in installments, or at least save for it like you can. Put money aside with every paycheck. Book hotels early. And snatch up airfare, amusement park passes, and other tickets you’ve had your eyes on well before you leave. That helps your vacation feel a lot more affordable.

3. Sign up for email alerts

These can help you score discounted airfare, deals on home rentals and hotel rooms, upgrades on rental cars, and a lot more. Some companies will even alert you to better deals than those you’ve already booked, and offer to cancel and rebook your reservation for the lower price.

4. Eat in instead

No one’s saying you should cook every meal when you’re on vacation (unless you really love to cook), but eating in is a great way to stretch your budget. If you’re booking a hotel, consider one that offers free breakfasts or comes with a small kitchen. Renting a whole house? Cook up a few meals using foods that the area is famous for.

5. Travel during off-peak times

If July and August are the peak season, and your schedule is flexible, vacation in June or September. Costs and crowds will likely be a lot more favorable.

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