The holiday of your dreams probably doesn’t involve financial stress, right? When you’re planning your overseas vacation, you’re most likely envisaging a stress-free time, full of new experiences and relaxation. But unless you’re adequately prepared, you’re chilled-out vacation can quickly be ruined by financial stress.

Budgetary limits are the single most talked about the source of anxiety while on holiday. These tips will help you get your travel plans in order, so you can relax on your vacation.

Book Big-ticket Outlays In Advance to avoid financial stress

Securing the best possible prices for the most expensive outlays you will make on your holiday (things like flights, hotels, and some activities) could dramatically reduce your total holiday spending. This means you won’t have to count pennies once you’ve arrived at your destination, so you can order another round of drinks, or buy that souvenir at the roadside without having to do quick maths in your head! Whether you manage to grab a great deal on flights or you secure some premium accommodation for a bargain rate, start checking out the available deals well in advance of your vacation, and who knows, you could get lucky!

Another great reason to book in advance is that you can be sure you’ll be able to do the things that you really want to do, without taking the risk of running out of money on your holiday before you’ve had the chance to take that cooking class or visit that elephant sanctuary. For example, if you’re visiting one of the world’s best surf destinations, it makes sense to book your surf class in advance, so you’re paid up when the time for your surf adventure arrives. That way, you won’t have to keep your ‘must-do activities in your mind while you’re on holiday. You can relax and enjoy your holiday, secure in the fact that you’re all set.

Do Your Homework

Whether you’re setting off to Johannesburg or going to New York, nothing ruins a long-awaited holiday like the feeling that you are paying more than the going rate for things like food, accommodation, and souvenirs in ‘touristy’ areas. While having the sense that you have been targeted to pay more than the usual rates because you are a tourist sometimes indicates that you actually have been taken for a ride, oftentimes people get this feeling simply because they had an unrealistic idea of the cost of things in their holiday destination. When you’re planning a holiday, you must invest some time in the necessary research required to ensure that you know what to expect financially once you get there. If you know roughly how much goods and services should cost, you won’t have that sinking feeling each time you put your hand in your pocket for your wallet.

Don’t Base Your Budget On Word of Mouth

While your BFF on whose advice you’ve decided to book a holiday to a certain country or city might be able to provide handy recommendations for food, hotels, and things to do, don’t base your holiday budget on what they tell you things cost when they visited years ago. Of course, many travel destinations cost less to visit than others, but it’s crucial to bear in mind that global inflation means prices will inevitably go up over time, and this will especially impact the cost of goods and services in the hospitality industry.

Consult reliable local sources of information about the cost of living in your destination town or city before you get your travel budget sorted. Google local grocery stores and find out how much food costs for local people paying in the local currency. Read restaurant menus online and look at the price of a meal and drinks. Visit the websites of hotels and get an accurate reading of what your accommodation is likely to cost. You could also email the hotel and ask what a taxi to the airport costs, or key landmarks in the city. That way, you’ll know the maximum amount you’ll be due to spending on transport, (if you aren’t able to take advantage of public transport links, that is). While it may take a little effort, sourcing accurate information on holiday costs in the planning stage of your vacation will help you keep to your budget once you arrive.

 A vacation should be a time to chill out, not stress out. That said, financial stress can put a damper on things if you don’t plan ahead. These tips will help you get your vacation planned out in advance and enjoy a stress-free holiday.