Six point plan: How to have a budget happy holiday

Your holiday plans are shaping up nicely. You've reached in good time and are ready to roll out your itinerary; now, comes the difficult part -- sticking to a budget without losing out on the fun factor.u00a0



The trip u00a0comes to your rescue with a handy, budget-friendly guide to a happy holiday that keeps your bank balance in good shape when you're back

* Keep the cash for the day separate from the rest of your cash
* Keep close track of what you're spending on or it could get out of hand, just like credit card use can. Exercise care with credit cards
* Find out how much it costs to get money, and know which source is the cheapest. For example, what fees does your bank charge for using an international ATM and withdrawing foreign
currency?
* Carry a small notebook
if you need detailed accounting that includes smaller cash transactions. Record each transaction in the notebook (including snacks, bus rides, etc). Each evening, total your expenses and note where you wasted money and can do better the next day.
* Bring an envelope for receipts. If certain expenses are deductible, reimbursable or shared, bring separate envelopes for each type of expense. At the end of each day, empty your receipts from your wallet into your envelope.
* If you spend money on a vacation like you would at home, then you'll be much more likely to stick to your budget.