Vacationers Overindulge

Are you planning a vacation?

A survey on behalf of Cheap Caribbean Vacations revealed that people who go on vacation tend to eat out frequently and ignore their calories. Half try to be frugal. Yet, 54% said it’s rare to stick to their budget. 46% use credit more often than they do at home. Interestingly, they feel no guilt when overindulging. It’s my understanding that most don’t experience pain until they arrive home. Once bills hit, reality sinks in. So, here’s my advice. Before you take a vacation or spend time away from home, plan ahead. A budget is your guardrail that allows you to have fun, but protects you from draining cash or creating credit card debt. It helps maintain margin so you’re not left hanging on a financial cliff when you return home. You may have a few pounds to drop, but you won’t have to go on a financial diet.

Many people run into financial trouble this time of year. So, focus on maintaining healthy money habits. Whether you’re traveling or hosting friends and family, you want to enjoy the season to the fullest. Planning now will make that possible. Start saving money by cooking and eating at home. Find recipes that use ingredients that you have on hand. Eat from your pantry and your freezer. Keep a running list for trips to the grocery store so you don’t have to go as often. Buy what’s on sale, double recipes, then eat or freeze the leftovers. Plan ahead and budget wisely, so you can vacation without financial regret.

And if you do have credit card debt from your last vacation, Christian Credit Counselors can help. They’ll create a debt management plan specifically for you. For more information, visit online at crown.org/ccc.