Aside from Christmas, do you know when American families tend to accumulate the most debts? The answer is during the summer holiday. Indeed, the summer break is typically dedicated to traveling and visiting distant destinations. It’s not uncommon for families to plan their vacation abroad over the warmer months of the year – at least families with children in school age.
Planning a summer trip has one serious disadvantage: it can be hugely expensive for two reasons. Firstly, everything tends to get more expensive in tourist destinations. And secondly, most American tourists rely on their trusted credit card to manage bills. But after a couple of days, the expenses can get out of control. If you’re going to go on holiday this summer, make sure to keep your credit card at home!
CREATE NEW FINANCIAL BREATHING ROOM
There is no denying that holidaying doesn’t come for free. However, if you can reduce credit card expenses, you put yourself in a better position to control your finances. For many holidaymakers, credit card purchases are a preferred payment method because it means they don’t have to worry about the cost during their vacation. However, credit cards only delay the time of payment. If you are already working on a limited budget, increasing your expenses will make it more challenging to manage your credit card balance.
If you travel abroad, you may encounter high costs as a result of currency management. Is the € stronger or weaker than the $? How about the Moroccan Dirham or the Swiss Franc? You could be spending more than you realize and increasing your credit utilization. At the end of your holiday, you may be faced with a difficult decision: how to bring down your credit balance. When things have gotten out of control and come on top of existing money troubles, it can be tricky to apply for debt consolidation with bad credit scores. While there are debt relief plans available, it doesn’t mean you should let the situation go down to it. Keeping your credit card safely inside your wallet puts you back in charge of your budget.
LOOK FOR BUDGET-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS
Do you really need to go abroad to enjoy the summer break? With the global pandemic, you’ll find that staying close to home is safer and more cost-effective. Why not plan a local trip traveling by rail or driving to the countryside? Regional destinations are likely to be cheaper, both in terms of planning and enjoying local attractions.
EAT LIKE THE LOCALS
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. While it can be tempting to indulge in a fancy, tourist-friendly restaurant when you’re on holiday, you may want to think twice about it. Indeed, rather than checking the addresses in your guide book, have a look at what the locals do. Street food and street markets are popular worldwide, and they can save you a ton of money! If you’re staying in accommodation with a self-catering area, you should make the most of fresh markets to get the best of vegs, fruits, and fresh produce. Choosing local restaurants over non-local cuisine is also the best approach to cut prices down!
Going on holiday doesn’t have to break the bank. You can discover new cities and regions this summer without relying on your credit card. Booking your transport ahead and opting for a local destination and habits can make a huge difference to your credit card balance!
