When you get into vacation mode, it’s easy to let your financial senses go out the window. Perhaps you justify it by telling yourself that since you’re on vacation, you shouldn’t stress about money. However, you may regret this attitude later. Being mindful of your spending limits can help you avoid the post-vacation blues and more debt. To help you stay under budget, here are 10 things you should never pay for on vacation.
10 Things You Should Never Pay for on Vacation
Since you’re taking a break from the world, it’s understandable that you want to get away from your everyday worries. It’s only natural that you want to enjoy yourself. But, you still need to be aware of your spending, especially if you’re on a budget. It could ruin the entire experience if you go overboard. If you don’t want to return home to a ton of new debt, you should avoid buying or paying for these things on vacation.
Baggage
In the era of service cutbacks, airlines are eliminating many of their complimentary services. With most carriers, it seems like everything is an additional cost now. While some low-budget airlines even charge you for your carry-on, there are ways you can save when checking your baggage.
Most major airlines allow free carry-on and personal items. So if you pack light, you can avoid all the fees of checked bags. However, if you can’t contain everything in a small bag, make sure you abide by the weight limits. You can usually expect to pay around $30 for a checked bag that weighs under 50 lbs. Unfortunately, you will pay much more for oversized and overweight luggage. Bags between 51-70 lbs will cost an additional $100, and anything over 70 lbs will cost you an extra $200. To avoid this unpleasant surprise at check-in, make sure you weigh your bags so you won’t have to pay for your mistake.
Airport Food
Travelers often complain about the markup on restaurants and food vendors inside the airport. But since airlines no longer offer complimentary food for shorter flights, there are only a few options for hungry travelers.
Many choose to pay more for the convenience. However, if you plan ahead, you can save by packing your own food. I usually stick to snack items like granola bars and crackers that travel well. But, you could pack a full meal since there are only a few restrictions to what food items you can bring with you on the plane. A little forethought could save you a lot of money.
In-Flight Wifi
In today’s world, we live on our phones, spending hours on our devices every day. Unfortunately, it’s hard for some people to disconnect, even during a flight.
However, it’s not worth the added expense. Plus, the wifi is usually slow and unreliable on a good day. So, put your phone away for a few hours. And if you absolutely need internet access, utilize complimentary services during layovers in the airport instead.
Electronics
When you leave home, you often need to bring your electronics with you. So, this means you will also have to remember to pack all the accessories that go with them. With so many components, it’s easy to forget things.
If you left something at home, you can usually purchase them at airport stores or kiosks. However, you will pay inflated prices. If you need a charger, adapter, earbuds, batteries, etc., wait until you leave the airport. Look around for local electronic stores for more options and better prices.
Travel-Size Toiletries
With as much as I’ve traveled, I have collected dozens of travel-size toiletries. Still, there are times that I forget to pack them. While the hotel samples can get you by in an emergency, they aren’t usually the best products for your hair and skin. So, I usually buy more travel-size toiletries to last the trip.
However, I’ve learned that buying full-size products is more cost-effective. Not only can you use them once you get home, but you can also share them with anyone else you are traveling with to save even more.
Fake Designer Goods
One of my favorite parts of traveling is visiting local shops and galleries. However, I always ignore the people selling cheap designer goods.
In most cases, they are usually low-quality knock-offs. Although they may look like the real thing, they won’t last long. That’s why fake designer goods are among the things you should never pay for on vacation. It’s better to invest in something of quality so you get your money’s worth.
Cheap Souvenirs
This is one tourist trap that always snares me. On the one hand, you want to bring small mementos to share with everyone back home. However, it’s usually useless junk that ends up breaking or getting thrown away.
Save yourself the money and space in your luggage. If you are set on buying gifts for loved ones, look for more meaningful souvenirs. Not only will they appreciate the sentiment, but you can ensure the items will survive the journey home.
Fine Jewelry
One thing that always struck me as odd was how many people buy fine jewelry while on vacation. Although you may be able to find high-quality items, it’s a huge gamble since it’s also a thriving market for thieves.
In my opinion, it’s much safer to use verified jewelers you know. I still find pretty pieces on vacation. But, they are usually made from less valuable materials. Instead, I wait to buy expensive items when I’m closer to home.
Guided City Tours
Guided tours are a great way to get to know your vacation destinations. They will show you several attractions and points of interest in a single day. Additionally, they save you the hassle of figuring out transportation and give you a history of each location.
A quick search will bring back tons of packages and deals online. However, people don’t realize that many cities operate free walking tours with the same stops. I prefer walking tours because they offer a different perspective and take you to places off the beaten path. Plus, they are much cheaper since they are led by locals who work for tips. It’s a great way to see what daily life is like and support the local community.
Currency
One thing people don’t account for is how much money they lose in currency exchange. Like most services, money changers will charge higher fees at busy tourist locations like hotels, airports, train stations, and border crossings.
Therefore, it’s better to purchase foreign currency in advance through your bank for better rates. However, you should also check with your bank to see if they have any partners where you are traveling. This could help you avoid ATM fees and the risk of carrying large quantities of cash.
Tips to Avoid Vacation Debt
It’s good to get away, but you can’t throw complete caution to the wind. Even on vacation, you must stay aware of how much you’re spending. Online banking makes it easy to track your expenses. And avoiding the things that you should never pay for on vacation can help you make more room in your budget for the things that matter most.
Read More
- Vacationing On A Budget
- How To Automate Savings for Vacation
- Should You Go on Vacation When You Owe Money?
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