I have planned it all out and purchased my tickets. I have saved for a few months to afford this trip and now that I am close to the departure day, I am spending more money on things I think I need. For example, I didn't have a light jacket. I need a new more compact umbrella, new walking shoes and new traveling clothes. And little things like ear plugs and such.<BR><BR>Does anyone else do this? What was your most outrageous pre-vacation expenditure?

I am so bad before I go away. I spend so much on hair & beauty products, because I know I will need enough for 10-14 days usually. I then also buy about 10-15 rolls of film, not cheap. Of course right before you leave you start noticing that you need a new bathing suit, sneakers, etc. I think before I went away this past August I probably spent about $300! Crazy.

I definitely shop before a trip.... shoes, jackets, slacks, toiletry bags, luggage tags, etc. New camera was the most expensive thing... then left it in the living room and had to buy a cheap one when I arrived. I will say though that most of my purchases have been ones I used quite a bit. A Goretex jacket for Ireland was perfect. "Nice" clothes though were a waste... we didn't dress for dinner like we thought we would.

Yup: <BR><BR>today: $200 haircut and color and $40 sweater.<BR><BR>last week: $45 pants<BR><BR>No shoes!!!! oh well, 3 days to go.....

Just three weeks to go to my first trip to Europe and I started trip-spending the moment that I signed up in January. First, it was a new LARGER purse(s) (because I only carry a tiny purse), then the warmer clothes (I live in So. Calif), then noise-cancelling headphones for both of us to listen to audio books on the long ride over. This weekend, it was new and different carryon pieces because of the weight (low) allowances for carryon pieces. Yes, the raingear (doesn't rain here) of all sorts, waterproofing shoes. <BR><BR>I've just been tossing every week's purchases in the general direction of a large box on the bedroom floor. It will be interesting to see just all that I have bought through these months when packing "week" arrives. I'm sure that it totals several hundred $$$$ also! <BR><BR>Undoubtedly, we will be out at the last moment standing in line somewhere for that last minute thought.<BR><BR>I read, and re-read 18 inches of info from you wonderful people and found it invaluable for this trip planning.

I know this is off topic, but I got floored by a previous post--$200 for a haircut!?!<BR><BR>I know I am a naive male who doe not understand the subtle intricacies of female beauty needs, but $200?!?!?<BR><BR>Jeez, and I'm ticked at my barber b/c he just went from $10 to $12....

$200 for haircut and color, seems right.

I also find myself buying items for each trip. Like perhaps lighter-weight clothing than I already have for summer, or a lined raincoat. It does add to the cost, but I think I should have most of what I need for a future trip, although I'll probably find something else. M.

I think folks need to realize that they choose to spend this money pre-vacation, not that they need to do so at all. I have various clothes for all seasons, why would I need a new bathing suit when I went to Greece? I didn't my old one is fine. Except for film - but I bought a digital camera years ago and now I don't even spend on that...about all I really buy are batteries for my cd player for music over on the flight and a little bit of my favorite noshes for the plane ride over...Other than that I have what I need - or I borrow from friends is I really need a specific type of bag - ie., years ago needed a backpack for when I was traveling for 6 weeks and borrowed a friends...Why spend money here when i can find way more better ways to spend it on vacation?

Well, Barb, you sound like you have your life together. I wish I did, I start to panic before I leave and start buying "stuff" like small bottles, mesh bags, things I don't buy during the year usually.

It might help that I travel all the time on business (almost weekly) so I usually clean out the bathroom of toiletries. I have a bag of small soaps, shampoo and conditioners...plus I also have all the samples from whenever I go to a cosmetic counter and they are giving away freebies. I save the small bags/pouches and they make excellent travel bags. Plus when you fly first class they always give you that dobkit of stuff - most of which I don't use - I have a stack of them - earplugs, tooth brushes and toothpaste, socks etc - amazing what;s in there...

Hey, GeeGirl - get in line for big pre-trip spending!! I've got all the stuff I need to go anywhere/do anything but still I buy more. You just never know - and besides, what's another pair of shoes, right? I leave next week for London/Paris - and have plenty of clothes for cool wet weather but they aren't coordinated! So, black, browns, creams slacks and sweaters, and a couple of bright sweaters (red, turqoise) for when I get bored with monochromatic scheme. Shoes for work are different than shoes to walk; so, 2 new pairs. And one must always take a little black dress - but can one find a little black dress these days? Especially with a plain neckline, no V, no scoop, no boat, no turtle, just plain and long sleeves, of an appropriate weight to wear alone on warm evenings or with silk T and sweater on cool evenings, but not so long that you look like granny and not so short that you look like a moronic Twiggy wannabe. Pick up something that might work and keep looking for the perfect dress. I just spent $290 at Magellan's, although I returned about $110. I got one of those canes with a seat, but it had to go back because, well, frankly, the seat wasn't big enough for Mum's robust rear. And if I put on 2 lbs, it's all over - back to the mall. And I cut my hair off, so that means new, dangling earrings; nice enough to want to wear, but not so nice that I care if they get stolen from the hotel. And good grief, these leather gloves are looking pretty worn; I probably should replace them. And ohmigosh! Look at these pajamas! If there's hotel fire, how embarrassed I'd be to be seen in them. It's so hard - all this shopping, but it must be done. And that pretty little journal with the wine labels on the cover is only $10 and so appropro; and should I take a corkscrew? New lipstick? So glad to know I'm not alone.

No, hardly anything. I think it's generally a bad idea. OK~ Maybe a tiny tube of toothpaste & new travel toothbrush ;-)<BR><BR>Because I pack very light, I don't run around getting a bunch of new stuff. Warning---Especially shoes!!! You really need to have them "broken in" at least a month's worth before a trip.<BR><BR>I downsize all my cosmetics into little bottles I've collected. I travel often enough (for pleasure only) I know about what makes a "good pack" for a 2-3 week warm weather vacation in my 22" rolling suitcase.<BR><BR>When I've tried to buy new "travel" specific clothes, I've had bad luck several times (not comfortable, pilled really bad, didn't wear well, no matter what the catalog said!).<BR><BR>I find I have MUCH better wardrobe by picking my favorite 4-5 outfits, that I already know look great and feel great and wear those.