It seems that your friends are texting the group chat once again regarding that upcoming trip to Miami. However, you cannot join because your finances will not agree with you on that. Honestly, there is nothing more expensive than the vacation that you can hardly afford. Let us discuss how to make your trip possible without selling your kidney.
The first thing you need to do is talk about the main problem in the group – finances. There is no use pretending that everything is fine with them; this leads to resentments. You need to reach the agreement on the daily spending limit before someone buys even a ticket to Florida. In case your budget is $50 per day while others’ is $200, then you are incompatible.
Secondly, you need to choose the leaders. Yes, the concept of democracy is great in many situations, however, when it comes to the group vacations, it ruins the whole idea. One person is responsible for the Airbnb reservation while the other is taking care of the grocery list. In case you rely on the phrase “we’ll figure it out when we get there”, you end up eating those disgusting sandwiches at airports that cost $18 each.
Thirdly, the accommodation choice will make or break your budget. Hotel booking is not always a good choice for larger groups of four or more people. Look for apartments on Vrbo or Airbnb websites, however, do not go for the cheapest place with 3.8 stars rating. Look for the reviews on hot water and noises; sleepless nights destroy the atmosphere of your stay.
Fourthly, the transportation issues can also become a problem. In case you decide to drive, you need to split all the costs with Splitwise application down to the last cent. Flying is easier, you can pack light and avoid extra charges for checked baggage. Google Flights can help you to set up the alerts about flights three months in advance. Last-minute tickets are crazy.
Fifthly, the food can also ruin your budget. There is no need to eat out at every single meal. Visit the local Costco or Aldi and buy all the breakfast and snacks there. Spend money on the food in the other city only for the best places, but not those mediocre restaurants that try to extract all your money.
Sixthly, the activities should focus mainly on the experience, not on consumption of something expensive. Free hiking, beaches visitation and sightseeing in the neighborhood do not cost you anything. Moreover, you can book some tours and shows to take advantage of early bird pricing.
Finally, post-trip settling must be done. You had better not wait until everyone gets back home and forget who bought what. Sit down on the last day, launch the Splitwise app and pay all your debts right away. It will take you five minutes, however, this way you will save your friendship from dying in the debts.
This is supposed to be fun, not the stress test for your budget. This is the time when you make memories with your friends, not trying to show everyone on Instagram. In case you follow all the rules and communicate properly, you will survive this trip financially healthy with your group of friends. Book the cheapest flight right now!