Are You Wasting Money on These Expenses When Traveling?
It doesn’t matter if you are traveling for business or pleasure, nothing changes the fact that you can easily overspend.
For example, if you’re traveling to Paris, you may want to visit the Palace of Versailles. While Versailles is a top tourist attraction, there’s something to remember: it’s going to cost you money to visit.
Your job is simple, set a budget for your trip and do whatever it takes to stay within the lines.
While this sounds simple enough on the surface, you know that you could run into some trouble along the way. For example, you may be the type who likes to “go, go, go†as soon as you touch down.
Tip: It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking success stories from business professionals or those who travel as much as you, a quick internet search will turn up what you’re looking for. This may be all you need in order to realize your goals of spending less when traveling.
With all this in mind, let’s review five expenses that can set you back when traveling:
- Baggage Fees
Are you in the habit of checking your bags when you fly? While this is not always impossible to avoid, you want to do your best.
Once you learn more about the baggage fees by airline, you’ll come to find that you should do whatever it takes to avoid this expense. If you don’t, you could find yourself spending $100 or more before you ever leave the airport.
- Food and Beverages
There is no denying the fact that you need to eat and drink when you travel. There is no way around this, so you might as well get into the habit of stopping to refuel every now and again.
However, you don’t want to overbuy at the airport or eat out every chance you get.
For example, if you’re taking a family vacation, you can stop by a local grocery store to buy a few items. From coffee at Wal-Mart to breakfast and dinner treats at Target, your options are nearly unlimited.
There will be times when you eat out, but you don’t have to do this three times per day. If you do, it’s going to cost a lot of money.
- Clothes
If you don’t pack accordingly, you could soon find yourself shopping online or at a local store.
Take for example someone who forgets to bring along shoes for a business meeting. Since you want to look your best, you have no choice but to make a purchase upon reaching your destination.
Forgetting just one item at home could cost you dearly once your trip begins. This is why a packing checklist is so important.
- Rental Car
There may be times when you need to rent a car, such as if you are traveling around a city to meet with multiple clients.
However, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions. You may be able to get around just fine without renting a car, which could save you a lot of money.
Before you book a hotel, check to see if they offer a shuttle service. Along with this, learn more about the public transportation system in the city you’re visiting.
- Luxury Hotel
While there are luxury hotels throughout the world, it doesn’t mean you have to stay in one. Even if you can afford this, you may want to think twice.
Luxury hotels are not cheap, so booking a room at one of these establishments could cost you a lot of money. Do you really need to stay at the best hotel money can buy?
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many expenses you may be wasting money on when traveling. If you can eliminate these from your budget, you’ll find it much easier to save money on every trip that you take.
Do you have any additional tips to add? How do you avoid overspending when traveling? Share your personal approach in the comment section below.
Photo: fdecomite
James is an internet entrepreneur, blogging junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.