LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Consumers may be feeling the pinch when it comes to taking time out for a little summer fun. So, what do you do to make ends meet if you want to hit the road or take to the skies? You don’t want to take that trip, come home, and then ruin your happy family memories of that vacation with a bill you can’t pay. Christina Roman is a Consumer Education and Advocacy Manager for Experian, a multinational data broker and consumer credit reporting company. She is passionate about financial literacy and saving.
“When it comes to summer spending, it’s essential to go into it with a plan,” exclaims Roman.
According to an Experian summer survey, travelers say they’re still booking trips despite price hikes. One-third say they are willing to go into debt to travel.
“We all want to create memories, and we all want to have experiences with our family, but it starts with setting the right foundation by having a plan for how we’re going to travel on a budget,” stresses Roman. Life may be short, but if you plan it right, you may be able to afford a good “long”, affordable vacation, or at least an enjoyable economical short one. There are things you can do.
“I would start by looking at what your finances currently look like,” explained Roman.
Start putting a little money aside six months or more before you are ready for your adventure. There are also travel reward credit cards you can use to pay for your vacations or other necessities. You rack up points or miles, then redeem them for flights or hotel stays, but pay your credit card off immediately. Don’t hold the debt.
“Can we find a lower-cost flight?” questioned Roman.
Look for travel deals and don’t wait till the last minute. Track air prices over time, or better yet, drive if it will save you money. Getting there won’t be your only expense.
“Make sure your budget includes things like the transportation, the food, your travel while you’re on your trip,” stressed Roman. “All of those come with a different level of cost, so you want to factor that into your level of cost of your overall budget,” explained Roman.
Don’t forget to add a little extra cash for emergencies. Include as much as you can in your plan. “You can split the cost of the location that you’re going to,” shared Roman. “There may be a road trip that’s just a few hours away that still gives you the feeling like you got away.” Another savings option could be all-inclusive resorts. All-inclusive may not only make the vacation experience easier, but it may save you some money. Even the time you pick to go on vacation makes a difference.
“If you can push your vacation back just a couple of months, then you may be able to save just a bit more money, and you still get that experience of getting away,” explained Roman. It all starts with a plan. Like most things, you need to know your starting point and your destination, even financially.“ It’s also good for you to look for ways that you can cut your spending now, so you’ll have a little bit more money when you are on vacation,” expressed Roman.
Always look for free fun wherever you are, like parks, beaches, free museums, or zoo days. You may want to open a dedicated savings account where you stash a little extra cash each paycheck for that trip. Whatever you do be safe and have fun.
For helpful tips and tricks click on the links below:
Survey: Despite Price Hikes, Travelers Say They’re Still Booking Trips
How to Travel Cheap and Save on Your Vacation
What Are the Cheapest Days of the Week to Fly?
Average Cost of Travel Insurance for 2026
5 Ways you’re spending your money without realizing it https://www.facebook.com/reel/1488173356225851
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