Vacation question

**disneysteve** · 08-26-2015, 05:51 PM

It greatly depends on what you plan to do while you're there, how you plan to eat, etc. If you're plan is to lie on the beach all day and grab pizza for lunch and a hot dog for dinner, you need very little, maybe $25/day. If, however, you plan to visit local sites, go to museums, take in a show of some sort, go on a tour, rent a boat, and dine at nice restaurants, you might need a couple hundred dollars per day. You mention "shopping". What does that mean? Getting a t-shirt from your destination or buying some high-end jewelry or artwork? As for alcohol, everyone's definition of "moderation" is different. Is that a glass of wine with dinner each night or a beer bucket at the pool every day or bottle service at a night club?

Also, when you say "how much money would you take with you?" are you talking about actual cash? Personally, we charge pretty much everything. Despite that, I'm a firm believer in always carrying cash so when I'm on vacation, you can be pretty sure that I will bring along several hundred dollars but the vast majority comes back home with me. If your destination will involve casino gambling, I'd bring along an appropriate amount for that activity.

**HappySaver** · 08-26-2015, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

when you say "how much money would you take with you?" are you talking about actual cash?

That was my question too. We do visit Florida regularly with a free place to stay (family) and we take next to no cash. Say, $100 - $200 in our wallets, and usually it's not spent. We pay for practically everything with credit card. In the rare instance we've needed extra cash (once, we bought second-hand bicycles while down there for which we needed cash) we've just used the ATM. I don't like to unnecessarily travel with too much cash on me.

Now, budget-wise, never mind if it's cash or credit card, for one week:
Gas (hypothetical 8 hour drive) - $200? You know your car's mpg.
Groceries and Restaurant - $300, more if you plan to eat out a bunch. How many people? I assumed 2.
Alcohol - (in moderation) - $30 - $100 range (are you staying in or going to bars)
Social and Miscellaneous -vague category here. I'm going to say $100 to cover movie, musuem tickets, not having more detail on what kind of activities you're planning. Plan extra if you're planning boat rides, etc.
Shopping - totally up in the air. Say $300.

LOL. I added it up and my estimate comes to exactly $1000. Sounds about right for a week of vacation.

**disneysteve** · 08-27-2015, 03:53 AM

When we travel as a family, I typically figure $100/day for activities and $75/day for food. That's for 3 people. But again, it depends on the destination and the specific plans. Some days cost more. Some days cost less.

**corn18** · 08-27-2015, 05:25 AM

We spend $5,000 over 7 days for everything other than travel and lodging. That's for food, entertainment and whatever else. Mostly entertainment as we usually rent a private charter sailboat for a day ($1,200), do day trips every day for scuba, ruins, etc... with a private driver ($200-$300 each). Food runs about $150 / day for 5 people.

**MonkeyMama** · 08-27-2015, 05:35 AM

We most often travel with free lodging (we have two trips planned in the next month or so with free lodging). I'd say it just depends on your budget and what you enjoy doing. Seems it would be a very individual answer. With 2 kids and a small vacation budget, we don't spend much. But with the free lodging at least it does leave more room for everything else. Food usually is the most expensive part of our vacations.

P.S. I wouldn't bring any (extra) cash; would just charge everything.

**ronb** · 08-27-2015, 05:51 AM

My two cents is to watch your spending, no matter how much $ you bring.. If you're anything like me, you don't pay attention to finances so closely on vacation. That can get scary in a hurry.

**disneysteve** · 08-27-2015, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by ronb View Post

If you're anything like me, you don't pay attention to finances so closely on vacation.

We're not like that at all. If anything, we're even more careful on vacation because we're eating out so much and spending money on admissions and tickets and tours so it's more important to keep track of what we're spending.

**phantom** · 08-27-2015, 06:32 AM

I agree with others that it greatly depends how you plan on spending your time. I also think that if you're going to have a vacation budget, you should start with how much you feel comfortable spending on vacation and make that your max. This whole trip could be pretty inexpensive if you need it to be. But, if you have the cash and spending it more freely will help you to relax, I think you should plan on a high budget.

Something else to consider when budgeting is a way to say thank you to your host. When staying with someone I for a week, I'll usually either make them dinner one night or offer to pay for their dinner at a restaurant one night. A small gift might also be appropriate. Chances are they don't need or expect anything from you. But, I think it's a nice gesture.

**scfr** · 08-27-2015, 07:13 AM

Yes, it totally depends on what you plan to do while vacationing. In many places, there are fabulous free or very reasonably priced activities you can take advantage of if you plan in advance. You don't have to spend a lot to have a really fantastic time.

**Fishindude77** · 08-27-2015, 09:20 AM

I'd budget $150 per day spending money, plus travel expenses.
Should be enough to have a great time. It's a much needed vacation, don't cut yourself short.

Vacation question