You just completed your first year of post-secondary school. While patting yourself on the back, you see these new graduates traveling everywhere. You feel the excitement as you would love to go on a post-grad trip after your senior year. And it’s better to start planning now. In fact, the earlier you plan and save, the better and less stressful your vacation will be.
Here are eight reasons why you should start saving immediately for a post-grad trip:
1. Travel is becoming more expensive.
Statistics and research from multiple sources indicate that traveling is now more expensive. Compared to 2019, travel costs are up by 20%. These costs include the plane tickets, hotels, automotive, and entertainment costs accumulated throughout the trip. So, in case travel costs continue to increase, you should have some extra money in your back pocket.
2. Last-minute travel emergencies.
Have you ever heard of cases where visitors had to be hospitalized during their vacation? It’s definitely not ideal. But in case similar situations happen, you’ll have some money to back you up. Hence, if your travel insurance is denied, you won’t have to stress about the surge in medical bills.
3. Airline fees.
Other than paying the airline ticket, there are plenty of hidden airline fees. These include taxes and surcharges and checked baggage fees. In some cases, the airline may say that your baggage is oversized or overweight. This can lead to a penalty fee added to your account. So, as a result, you can prepare for these extra fees by saving money immediately.
4. Food and snacks.
We all feel hungry amid our trips. As a result, you may find yourself splurging on food or snacks. However, food at the airport is often expensive and overpriced. When paying for that meal, your wallet may be crying more than usual. Moreover, some low-cost airlines require you to pay for meals on the trip. So, it’s better to be loaded with money to fill you up for those long trips.
5. Currency Exchange and Foreign Transaction Fees.
When you’re traveling abroad, you may have had to go to a local bank to ask for a currency exchange. Moreover, you may be charged a foreign transaction fee from your credit card company as well. When you purchase from a foreign merchant, you may be charged 0 to 3%, which will be added to your purchase. Although these are seemingly small portions, these fees can add up throughout your trip.
6. More choices and places to visit.
With more money saved up, you’ll have more choices and places to visit. Since many tourist attractions do charge a lot for entrance fees, having a larger budget often means having more flexibility in travel destinations. So with that being said, it’s always better to save money earlier than later.
7. Be prepared for the administrative costs.
Administrative costs are unexpectedly way more than usual. These include passport fees, visas, and other types of paperwork related to traveling. These costs do eventually add up. So it’s important to save up beforehand.
8. More to spend after your journey.
Although traveling eats up a lot of our wallets, having some leftover money is ideal for a post-grad. You may want to go on another trip and visit another landmark. Or you may want to save money for another night of traveling. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
A post-grad trip is definitely worth it! The memories you’ll create and the places you’ll visit are worthwhile. However, it’s important to save up ASAP. You never know where you’ll splurge, and it’s best to enjoy your vacation without worrying about your wallet. So what are you waiting for? Get ready for that post-grad trip now.
Featured image via Arina Krasnikova on Pexels
