Tips For Your First Vacation On Your Own

Congrats, you’ve finally made it to the point where you can afford to take a vacation. If you were lucky enough to go on family vacations, you know how much planning and money goes into these things. Planning your very own vacation as an adult with your hard earned money can be both exciting and scary.

Find Ways You Can Save

This means any way possible. If you have a friend who lives in your chosen destination, hit them up, and see if they can have you as a house guest. Room and board: check! Also try enlisting friends to join you on the trip, that way you can all split the hotel bill.

If you want to do any specific activities like whitewater river rafting or skydiving see if Groupon has any offers. There are probably other sites for the area with specials too. For example, Las Vegas does Nite Tours, which is pretty much a club crawl and a way to save money on drinks and club admittance.

Via Flickr/Pictures of Money

Do Your Research Before You Go

In order to properly budget and save for your vacation you will have to have a pretty good idea of all the things you want to do and see and how much it will cost. This means you have to factor in transportation fairs, food and drink prices, taxes, and currency exchange rate (if international.)

Via Flickr/Joel Bedford

Talk To The Locals

They live here year round, so take their advice. This is the best way to find hidden gems in a foreign land. Plus you will get to fully immerse yourself in a new culture and environment, which can be way more fun than just doing the tourist thing.

Via Flickr/Ben The Man

Always Have a Plan B

Like many things in life, vacation does not go as planned. Do not fret, just be sure you have a back up. If it is not working out with your host, budget some extra money for a hotel room. If that thing you wanted to do is too expensive, find a similar activity for cheaper. If you are staying in a place with a kitchen, cook some meals instead of going out for them. A great backup plan for vacation is a credit card-for emergency use only! Make sure you apply for one with enough time before the trip. And you should always, always, always buy the flight insurance. If an emergency pops up and you cannot go on vacation, you will at least get your money back so you can in the future.

Via Flickr/Moyan Brenn

Budget For When You Come Back

So in other words, do not bring all your money with you. This tip is especially important for the people who do not get a paid vacation. You will have to make sure you have enough to pay rent and bills so life will pick up smoothly upon coming home. What good is a relaxing vacation when you come home to stress because you’re behind on bills?

 Via Flickr/401(K) 2012