Family holidays can become very expensive before you even leave home. One online internet browsing session or visit to the local shopping centre to buy “essentials” for your next family holiday often become costly… very very costly. Avoid the traps. Keep your discipline. Stick to your budget.
These are the things to avoid so you don’t blow your holiday budget before even leaving home:
1. Buying lots of clothes specifically for the trip
This usually happens when you are visiting winter destinations. So you “need” to purchase expensive down jackets, winter boots, gloves, thermal wears etc; items that otherwise you will never wear in your hometown.
Instead: Before you go on this expensive shopping spree, check what you already have in your wardrobe. Consider borrowing from friends and family members. Tara has a few merino winter clothing she lends out to friends (in exchange of souvenir or food LOL).
Don’t forget to check the weather forecast 2 weeks before your holiday. Maybe the places you are visiting will not be that cold anyway. Consider what you really need and bring only essentials. You can always buy more at your destination if really needed.
2. Buying excessive Baby & toddler gear
Planning to visit a baby department store to buy a few things for the trip? Make sure you don’t come home with half the shop.
Baby shops will try to sell you anything from travel specific strollers, carriers, bags, portable seats, inflatable baths, travel sized shampoos, soaps etc. Before you know it, one whole luggage will be full of baby things.
Don’t go crazy!
Instead: Check out our packing list section and see what you really need. If you are only going to use something once, consider buying second hand or rent it at your destination. Our beloved Maclaren stroller and Macpack carrier were purchased second hand.
3. Buying that new model Camera
One trip to the shops and you can’t take your eyes off that cool new camera. Convinced that it will help produce better photos like the ones your friends put on their Instagram page.
A new camera will not always mean you will get better pictures. Unfortunately.
Instead: Make sure you master how to use your current camera or your smart phone. If you are buying a new camera, make sure you spend time reading the manual, practice and at the very least learn how to change the basic settings.
4. Buying new luggage bags
Who wants to travel with a daggy looking luggage? That bright red four wheeler hard case luggage looks great – let’s buy it!
Instead: clean your current bag. If it’s not broken use it again. Some airports are not very good when it comes to handling luggage. The luggage handler will not differentiate between a $50 luggage and a $1,000 luggage – all will be treated equally – dragged, stacked and thrown around. Your flash new luggage might be scratched and damaged in the process. If you do need a new luggage, consider function not just the looks.
Our red fabric Antler 2 wheeler luggage has been tagging along with us for the past 10 years – and is still going strong!
5. Dismissing certain Airlines because of trivial reasons
Do not rule out a certain airlines just because you have never flown with them before. Do not listen to other’s one off terrible experience with certain airlines. Experience it yourself so you can be the judge.
Of course not all airlines are the same; some provide much better service than others. But given the price difference have you considered the money you can potentially save?
Instead: Keep an open mind. Consider all options full service and budget airlines. Prioritise comfortable departure time, total flight time and convenient transit time for long haul flights for you and your little ones.
6. Choosing hotels based on brand names
Accommodation is another major cost of travelling. If you spend too much on your nightly accommodation – will you have to cut back on food and experiences at the destination? There’s no point in travelling halfway around the world if you can’t do anything fun once you are there!
Remember by spending less on your accommodation – you can stay for longer and have more money for eating out and transport (#priorities)
Instead: Stick to your budget. Go through hotel reviews on Tripadvisor and Booking.com. Don’t just choose branded hotels because it’s the safest option. There is likely to be many centrally located boutique hotels (or even AirBnB) that won’t break your bank account. Follow our 6 steps to choosing family travel accommodation.
7. Not buying travel insurance before leaving home
No family should travel overseas without travel insurance. Chances are you won’t need it, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
If (touch wood) you happen to have an accident overseas, most hospitals will ask for your insurance details or credit card before admission into care. Imagine if you don’t have sufficient funds?
Instead: Add it to your budget. Compare travel insurances and buy one before leaving.
For places we have visited, Checkout our website’s travel Destinations section. We buy of our travel essentials online via Ebay
