Don't Spend More Than This Much Of Your Income On A Vacation - Money Digest (2024)

ByRichard Sachek

Don't Spend More Than This Much Of Your Income On A Vacation - Money Digest (1)

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Predicting the exact cost of a vacation can be a difficult task for even the most fastidious financial planners. Lodging, airfare, and other transportation can be calculated fairly accurately, but what about restaurant meals and activities like tours and museums? Even trips that are billed as all-inclusive, like certain cruises and resorts, might not necessarily include extras like gratuities or souvenirs. According to the website CreditDonkey, which compares travel reward credit cards, you should "Consider adding a small 'unexpected costs' fund to your budget to avoid any mishaps. Even better, divide your unexpected costs fund into a per-day allowance to make sure you're ready for anything at any time."

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So with that in mind, how much should you budget overall relative to your income for that dream vacation?There are a few good guidelines to follow, the first of which is the 50/30/20 rule of budgeting. Following the 50/30/20 rule, 50% of your after-tax income goes toward housing, utilities, groceries, and the other necessities of life. The 20% component refers to the amount of your income that you should be saving or investing, which leaves 30% for discretionary spending, which includes vacations.

That doesn't mean you'll be allowed to spend the entire 30% on a bucket list vacation, though. Discretionary spending also includes other "wants"like shopping for clothes or electronics, concerts, bars and restaurants, and gym memberships, so you'll need to balance at-home fun with reserving some of those funds for your ideal vacation.

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Don't go into debt for your dream trip

Don't Spend More Than This Much Of Your Income On A Vacation - Money Digest (2)

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If you're looking for a simpler way to figure out how much you'll have to spend for vacation annually, a common rule of thumb is 5% to 10% of your net (after taxes and other withholdings)income. For an earner with net income of $40,000 per year, that's $2,000 to $4,000 to spend on vacation, which can either be one big splurge or multiple more modest trips. Some consumers value travel more than others and may opt to spend more of their income, while perhaps saving on other "want" items at home like fewer restaurant meals or less expensive clothes.

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Whichever guideline you choose to set a budget, you should never go into debt to pay for a vacation. Only commit to spending the money that you have in a checking or savings account and if you pay for travel expenses with a credit card, make sure that you're able to pay the bill in full when it comes due. The stress of accumulating debt, not to mention interest rates that can exceed 20%, will quickly offset the fun and relaxation of going on vacation to begin with and can add hundreds of dollars to the cost.

Credit card rewards can help pay

Don't Spend More Than This Much Of Your Income On A Vacation - Money Digest (3)

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If you're sitting on a pile of airline miles or reward points from a credit card, consider using them to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of your vacation, especially the airfare portion. The downside is that figuring out how to extract maximum value from miles and points can be a daunting task with considerable research involved. Some travelers enjoy the challenge and the planning process, while others simply don't have the time to commit.

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For the latter group, award booking services are available that will handle the heavy lifting for you after you describe the contents of your points portfolio. These services aren't free, but they might be worth the fee to avoid having to learn the nuances of various credit card and airline rewards programs. Money Digest hasn't personally vetted any of these services, but some popular names in that space are Points.me, Award Magic, andThe Hub 'N Wifi.

Finally, if your supply of miles and points is looking a little low, consider opening a new credit card that offers a large initial travel bonus when a minimum spending threshold is met. Just don't be so eager to earn the bonus that you spend more than normal or more than you can afford to pay without carrying a balance. Try to use the card to spend on purchases that you would normally make anyway or pay a small fee to use the credit card to cover a mortgage or rent payment.

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Don't Spend More Than This Much Of Your Income On A Vacation - Money Digest (2024)

FAQs

How much of your income should you spend each month in LGE? ›

50% of your net income should go towards living expenses and essentials (Needs), 20% of your net income should go towards debt reduction and savings (Debt Reduction and Savings), and 30% of your net income should go towards discretionary spending (Wants).

Is it true the more money you make the more you spend? ›

It's normal for your lifestyle spending to increase when you get a higher income. You want to treat yourself after working hard to make that money. "Where it becomes problematic is when the increase in lifestyle outpaces the increase in income," says Camua.

Is saving 50% of my income enough? ›

At least 20% of your income should go towards savings. Meanwhile, another 50% (maximum) should go toward necessities, while 30% goes toward discretionary items. This is called the 50/30/20 rule of thumb, and it provides a quick and easy way for you to budget your money.

What happens if you spend more than your income? ›

It might be time for you to find ways to reduce your spending. It's hard to save any money if you are overspending. And spending more than you earn is an easy way to accumulate debt.

Can you live on $1000 a month after bills? ›

But it is possible to live well even on a small amount of money. Surviving on $1,000 a month requires careful budgeting, prioritizing essential expenses, and finding ways to save money. Cutting down on housing costs by sharing living spaces or finding affordable options is crucial.

What is the 60 20 20 rule? ›

Put 60% of your income towards your needs (including debts), 20% towards your wants, and 20% towards your savings. Once you've been able to pay down your debt, consider revising your budget to put that extra 10% towards savings.

What is money dysmorphia? ›

Money dysmorphia (not an actual diagnosis) refers to someone who is irrationally insecure about finances. That mind-set, financial planning experts say, can lead to money missteps including overspending or risky investments.

What is the 50 20 30 rule? ›

Key Takeaways. The 50-30-20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should dedicate 20% to savings, leaving 30% to be spent on things you want but don't necessarily need.

Do rich people spend more? ›

Millionaires may not be impulse-buying the same $25 cat door you got from Amazon, but they still share the same spending habits as everyone else. Some millionaires spend money to impress their friends and family, while others keep a low profile and a diversified investment portfolio — just like the rest of us.

Can I retire at 60 with 300k? ›

£300k in a pension isn't a huge amount to retire on at the fairly young age of 60, but it's possible for certain lifestyles depending on how your pension fund performs while you're retired and how much you need to live on.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›

The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. According to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.

Can I retire at 50 with 300k? ›

Can You Retire at 50 With $300k? It may be possible if you have low expenses and income from other sources. Assuming a 4% withdrawal rate, the funds might generate $12,000 of annual income. That's probably not enough for most people, and you typically don't get Social Security until your 60s.

How to tell if someone is living above their means? ›

It's important to notice the warning signs if you find yourself living beyond your means and take action. These include high credit card balances, rising bills, saving little to nothing of your income, a low credit score, and spending a big chunk of your income on housing.

How to stop living beyond means? ›

Here are 10 helpful tips on how to live within your means.
  1. Set Your Budget. ...
  2. Track Your Spending. ...
  3. Save Before Spending. ...
  4. Pay Down Debt. ...
  5. Pay with Cash or Debit. ...
  6. Plan Large Purchases to Avoid Impulse Spending. ...
  7. Wait for Sales. ...
  8. Ask for a Lower Price.

Is living below your means worth it? ›

Living below your means has short- and long-term benefits, which can help bring you closer to financial security. Some of the benefits of spending less than you earn include: Freeing up money to help build an emergency savings fund. Saving more money for big purchases like a vacation, car or home.

How much of your monthly income should you spend a month? ›

Our 50/30/20 calculator divides your take-home income into suggested spending in three categories: 50% of net pay for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment. Find out how this budgeting approach applies to your money. Monthly after-tax income.

What is the 70 20 10 budget rule? ›

The 70-20-10 budget formula divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 70% for living expenses, 20% for savings and debt, and 10% for additional savings and donations. By allocating your available income into these three distinct categories, you can better manage your money on a daily basis.

How much money should I have to spend each month? ›

What is the 50-30-20 rule? The idea is you'd aim to spend: 50% of your income on needs: essential living expenses, such as rent/mortgage, bills, food, and transport to work. 30% on wants: discretionary spending, such as eating out, shopping, trips and subscriptions.

How much is normal spending per month? ›

Monthly expenses list. According to the same 2022 BLS study, the average American's monthly expenses are $6,080, 1 which is about 77% of the average monthly income before taxes. This list of expenses covers everything from housing, health insurance and food to entertainment, personal care products and books.

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