Why You Should Go On Vacation

We all dream of relaxing away from home either on a sunny beach, a snow-capped mountain or even a steel jungle. However, most people put off these vacations either due to financial worry or that they do not have the time because of their job. The average family takes 3-4 vacations a year, which can range from three day trips to multiple week long trips. I will take you into a dive on how to travel on a budget, how you should pack and what else you need to know before you go.

How to travel on a budget:

1. Travel with a plan! Have an idea of what you plan to purchase in each city. This includes new clothes, gifts for friends and necessities like food and drinks. Also, know how long you will be there & if it is a short trip, plan for only one shopping day.
2. Travel out of season! Avoid traveling during school and national holidays if you can. Flights and hotels can be especially pricey during these times due to increase of other families traveling. "Shoulder Season" is classified as the time before or after the busy national holidays. Airfare, hotels & etc. are have much lower prices during this period.
3. Pack Properly! Have at least one pair of long pants (preferably jeans), warm hoodie, and a waterproof jacket.
4. Do not eat away cash! Cheap lunches are the easiest way to save money on vacation. This can be done by grabbing sand which items from the supermarket instead of eating at fancy restaurants every night. However, if you do plan on eating out a few nights, do not spend most of the budget on only one of the businesses. Also, when planning to dine in, do not choose the first option because there could be cheaper and/or tastier places a few blocks down.
5. Book flights in advance! It has been proven that flights are cheapest during the middle of the week-- Tuesday afternoon. Save some money & book weeks out on a Tuesday afternoon!

What to know before you go:

1. Make sure you are caught up on all your documentations! This includes Passports, Visas, medications, and an international driving permit. The driving permit is one of the documents most people do not realize they need when heading out of the country.
2. Read travel advisories! Check to make sure it is safe to travel to that country as the could be dealing with governmental unrest or environmental issues. Make sure to plan for these crises also and make note of where your home countries embassy is.
3. Check reviews & ask fellow travelers! Always be open minded when traveling to new and unfamiliar cultures and regions. Ask experienced travelers but always take their advice with a grain of salt because of course we all have different opinions. Google best places to visit in the countries for shopping, eating and even museums.
4. Local Traditions! Learn the local customs and dress wear of the places you plan to visit. This way you are respectful and seen as more friendly to the local people.

Traveling helps eliminate stress and helps boost our mood & economic means. Traveling should be stress free but when you have to worry about financials, it can mean the opposite. Remember, you can always earn the money back but never the time spent with your family on that magical trip.

Some of my favorite destinations:

• Alaska Cruise (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Victoria Island)
• Chicago, IL
• Las Vegas, NV
• Asheville, NC
• Tulum, Mexico
• Key West, FL
• Breckenridge, CO
• New York City, NY
• Santa Fe, NM
• Kansas City, MO
• Nashville, TN

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