Make the most out of your vacation, save money and stay safe! 
Vacationing is a time to splurge, let loose, have a good time and relax but it’s not a time to break the bank or throw too much caution to the wind you get caught in a scam. Let’s face it, today we live in a world where people make a living conning and stealing from the unaware public. We also live in a world where having a budget and sticking to it is a reality.
While vacationing we want to feed into that euphoric feeling and feed our endorphins so we often want to splurge, splurge more than we initially planned. That euphoric feeling won’t last when you’re back home and looking at a depleted savings account. In fact, that feeling could move into the opposite direction and you could get stressed putting a damper on the whole vacation memory.
Resorts, companies and service industries know exactly how to squeeze those extra dimes from your wallet by appealing to your desire to splurge and get pampered. Let me clarify, we all need and deserve to get pampered but not go broke doing so. Why work so hard if you can’t enjoy the spoils of your labor but pamper yourself on budget and within reason. You’ll love it and you won’t add extra worry that comes from spending too much money.
Secondly, predators lie in wait for unsuspecting vacationers to “drop the ball” and let their guard down enough for them to pounce. Sad but true we have to be cautious even on vacation, especially on vacation and that is why extra precautions are needed to protect your valuables, identity and money.
Below are some important vacation tips that compile our “vacation checklist”
Create a vacation budget
Before you go on vacation create a budget and then calculate airfare and lodging. Make sure you allocate specific amounts of the budget to vacation categories and leave a cushion in each category and create a cushion for emergencies and miscellaneous activities or shopping. Some great vacation categories are: food, lodging, entertainment, activities and travel expenses (include rentals) and you can add extra categories that suit your family. Once you’ve created a budget you can start planning your trip/vacation and determine how to maximize your budget. A great way to save money is to book your flight in advance, use fly miles or find a vacation package that combines discounts. Another great way to save money is by using coupons for hotel, rentals, restaurants and various activities. You can use the money you save and put it back into your vacation budget..jpg)
Protect yourself against fraud and theft
One of the easiest ways for criminals to steal is by using machines that can scan your credit card while it’s in your pocket or purse. By keeping your credit cards in a protective wallet or RFID wallet or sleeve you can prevent theft before you ever leave home. Also take as little as you need, packing less or lighter reduces the chances of losing something valuable. While on vacation make sure you lock everything of value in the hotel safe or room safe. Also never take valuables to the beach or near water because statistics show the beach is one of the most common spots items are lost or stolen.
Protect your home
While on vacation you’ll need to protect your home. Of course there is the basic checklist like: set the alarm, keep a light on and find someone to watch the pets but there are a few additional steps you can take for preventative measures. Tell a neighbor you trust you’ll be away and to watch your home or report suspicious activity to the police. Also have the post office hold your mail. Mail stacking up or overflowing from your mailbox can alert criminals you’re not home and it potentially opens you up to identity theft if someone goes through your mail while you’re away.
Stick to your budget
The whole point of making a budget is to stick to it. Be sure you keep a running track of how much you spend and how much you have left so you don’t go over budget. To get the most out of your budget keep your eyes open for deals and specials while vacationing. Take advantage of early dining or daily specials, happy hour, coupons or groupons and sales. If you see something you really want to buy or find an event you hadn’t budgeted for then look at the vacation categories and see where you can take money from one category and apply to what you really want. This will still keep your budget on track and is a reasonable compromise.
Don’t fall for tourist traps
When vacationing try to go off the beaten path and ask locals where to go for dining, entertainment and fun. Chances are locals can give you better tips than the brochures that will steer you towards high traffic tourist spots with hefty price tags. Save your money for the big things that are high priority on your vacation list. Avoid blowing your entire food budget with pricey restaurants that serve chain food. It’s ok to splurge on a meal but not all meals. Look for family owned places that give you a sense of the local culture. Also avoid high priced shops and souvenirs that are marked up.
Vacation Prepared
Don’t forget to pack the important things like: a first aid kit, prescription medicine, sunscreen and health insurance cards. Be sure you tell a few people you trust where you’re going and where you’re staying and stay in contact with them. Also be careful not to try things that can cause an upset stomach or allergy reaction and be mindful of food safety. Be sure to pack proper clothing for the climate and appropriate shoes for all occasions. Be sure to check your luggage for bed bugs before you leave the hotel. The number one place to get infested is in your hotel room and once they’re transported back to your home it is expensive to treat.
Vacations are a time to relax and have fun but unfortunately criminals never take a vacation from crime and it is best to be on alert. Also life happens and it is good to be as prepared as you can to handle the unexpected, especially when you’re far from home. Lastly, the biggest thing to remember is staying on budget. You don’t want to ruin your good time with worry from putting yourself in debt on your vacation.
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