…Or anywhere you fancy to go really, but for the sake of these tips, we’re going to focus on New York. It’s a place I fell in live with my first visit; and it’s a place that I would like to go back to, but it was expensive. It’s not overstating things to say that it would be very easy to overspend on a trip to New York City. Even the most disciplined among us would find it hard not to get carried away with all that there is on offer. Whether shopping is your thing, and you are easily tempted by bargains and designer labels alike, or your weakness is good food and drink, New York has something to entice you, and most visitors end up spending much more than they’d hoped too as they get swept away in the excitement and magic of a trip to the Big Apple.
If you’ve got money to spare, great, go for it! But, let’s be fair here, most of us haven’t. You might even worry that you can’t afford a trip to New York, or that you’d overspend at the expense of your financial balance. But, there’s no need. It’s perfectly possible to visit New York without going crazy. You just need to put a little work into your budget.
Prioritize
Photo Source – Pixabay
Whenever you read a guide to budgeting for a break (even this one), it’s important to take it all with a pinch of salt. What is important to someone might not matter at all to you. Your budget needs to suit your needs and priorities, no one else’s. For instance, maybe New York isn’t your destination; that doesn’t mean these tips can’t help, but may just need to be adjusted for your needs.
You need to figure out what those priorities are so that you can work out where you want to spend your money. Some people need a luxury hotel with a spa. Others are happy with a budget hotel with nothing but a bed. Some prefer to travel in style, and others want to save their cash for attractions and souvenirs. Think about what is most important to you and save money elsewhere.
Don’t Forget the Essentials
So many people budget for a holiday and forget all of the associated costs. Things like new luggage, trains to the airport or parking, new clothes and insurance cost money and should be included in your budget.
Book Things Online in Advance
Booking any attractions and broadway shows that you want to go online before you head off on your trip can be a great way to not only get discounts and save money but also to shop around for the best deals while comparing easily. Booking in advance also helps you to keep track of how much you are spending and stick to your budget.
Give Yourself a Shopping Budget
You might head off to New York thinking that you hate shopping and you won’t buy anything. You will. It’s always a good idea to give yourself at least a small shopping budget, just in case.
Add 10%
Having a budget is great, being as detailed as you can helps you to stick to it and manage your money. But, sometimes life has other plans. You never know when things might go wrong, or when you may need to make small changes to your plans. You can’t possibly budget for everything. So, try to leave at least 10% of your budget free, to cover emergencies, deposits, and changes to plans.
Where’s your next travel destination? What you’re best budgeting trick? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!
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