Did you know that the average person spends $1200 per year on vacation? If you have a family of 4, this means spending an average of $4800 each year. 

Whether you spend way less than this or way more than this each year, it’s better to create a vacation budget so you don’t go too overboard. 

But, creating the budget is the easy part. Sticking to a budget is where things get tricky. Check out this guide to learn the top tips to help you stick to your travel and vacation budget. 

1. Track Your Expenses 

Once you’ve decided on a travel budget, it’s very important that you actually take the time to track how much you’re spending. While it can feel like you’re doing a good job with your budget, a sandwich here and a tank of gas there can quickly add up. 

Keeping track of all of your expenses, no matter how small or large they are, is the best way to ensure you stick to your budget. 

You can do this with an old fashioned pencil and notebook, or, you can track your expenses using a budgeting app. Just make sure you write down everything as you spend so you don’t forget about any expenses. 

2. Double Check All-Inclusive Items

When talking about the expenses, it’s also necessary to check what does all-inclusive cover in your trip. You don’t want to be paying for certain amenities that you expected to be included in your package. 

For instance, the hotel you have booked might offer airport transfers but they may not be inclusive in your package. You need to ask your travel agent or call directly to the hotel manager to get more clarity well in advance. This way you could save money on travel instead of messing up your long-awaited vacation budget. 

3. Prepare Your Own Meals

When you’re traveling, part of the enjoyment is trying the national and local foods. While we definitely recommend indulging in the local cuisine, we also think you should prepare your own meals once in a while, as this can help you save loads of money. 

To make the meal prep a little more fun, we suggest visiting the local market so you can also have a bit of a cultural experience while cooking your own meal. 

To make things simple, we suggest choosing one meal per day that you always cook yourselves. For many people, the easiest meal to cook at home is breakfast. It’s also a good idea to bring snacks along for your excursions so you’re not tempted to gorge on a huge meal. 

4. Keep it Local 

Keeping it local is not only a great way to save money, but it’s also a great way to experience the culture on a deeper level. 

From eating in a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant to taking the chicken bus to staying at a family-run guesthouse, keeping it local is always the way to go. Also, don’t forget to test out your haggling skills when shopping at local markets, as many places overcharge tourists. 

5. Plan Your Splurges 

When going on a vacation, it can be easy to indulge in every bucket list-worthy experience. However, there’s a good chance that your budget doesn’t allow for this. 

Therefore, we suggest taking a look at your itinerary and choosing the splurges that really matter the most to you. By choosing them in advance, you won’t be tempted to overspend and go for everything when your vacation rolls around. 

Sticking to Your Vacation Budget: Wrap Up 

Now that you know how to stick to your vacation budget, it’s time to set off on your big trip. 

If you’re looking for more budget travel tips, be sure to check out this guide to learn the top tips to save money on travel.