Traveling is a popular pastime for many people and once a year vacation trips are quite common. Budgeting for a holiday is something that should be done all year long and not just in a few frantic months before the trip.

One of the best things to do to ensure you have an enjoyable and affordable trip is to carefully select a travel destination that has a favorable exchange rate. If you do happen to run out of money, it is always possible to get an international money transfer.

Travel to destinations with a favorable exchange rate

In some countries the U.S. dollar will go twice as far, allowing you to enjoy stays in hotels that would be out of range in many countries. Traveling to a destination that has a favorable exchange rate does not mean that you have to put up with a mediocre vacation. Quite the opposite is often true, as some of the cheapest countries to travel to can also be the most delightful.

Putting money away into a travel fund on a monthly basis is one of the best ways to ensure there are enough funds by the time the planned holiday arrives. How much you put away is really up to your budget and how much you can afford to save without depriving yourself of essentials. Saving for a trip should not involve enduring hardship and going without the things you enjoy.

Doing an internet search for cheap travel destinations is a good way to get started. Check around to see what other travelers have to say about the destination. Others who have been to the country you are planning to travel to probably have good tips and advice on local customs. Being prepared ahead of time is the greatest money saver because it lets you budget accordingly.

Buy essentials like sun cream at home

Buying all the essentials for the trip is best done before leaving the U.S. Items that are used by tourists are often a lot more expensive in foreign countries. While many things are very inexpensive, store vendors do take advantage of the fact that tourists need items such as sun cream or mosquito repellent.

These items are then sold for about three times what they would normally be worth. So, buying these types of items is a good idea before traveling.

Airlines now have strict regulations about the size of containers that can be brought on planes, so it may be necessary to transfer the contents of bottles into airline approved container sizes. Most people don’t use up everything they bring along, but if you do, make sure to shop in local stores that are away from the tourist hangouts. This way, you can pay the prices that local residents do.

Buying clothes on trips is something that many people do. It is possible to buy well-made items for a fraction of the price that you would pay in the United States. The best bet is to stay away from the high-priced boutiques that cater to tourists. To really get a taste of the colorful fashions available, it is necessary to visit areas off the beaten path.

Vendors in many foreign countries are used to haggling over prices and if you want to save money, this could be something to try. It is considered almost a sport to haggle over prices, so you need not feel uncomfortable. Only do this in countries where this is an accepted part of life. Using some of these ideas should allow you to enjoy an affordable holiday.

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Andrew Griffiths is a graduate of Loughborough University and Liverpool University in the UK.  He is a self-employed blogger and a freelance writer for MoneySupermarket.com.

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