Hey travelers,

Do you come back from vacation more in debt after you travel or before?
Just got back back from vacation, and don't want to see the bills when they roll in.
We normally use the charge for everything when we travel. Don't like to take to much cash. and you know the rest of the story....

Usually, we try to have the hotel and airfare paid before we go. We do take some cash but also do not like to carry alot. We usually charge tickets and dinners. So I guess we have debt before and after.

With the exception of my house mortgage and car payment, I live debt free. I don't buy anything that I don't have money for in the bank. Travel is one of my favorite activities. To insure that I don't come back in debt, I pay in advance for my airline ticket and hotels. I also have a special travel fund set aside and immediately deduct from it to pay the credit card bill upon my return. I simply don't book a flight until my travel fund is adequate to pay for the trip.

X-man,I'm with you.I'm with you,We would never dream of taking a vacation that wasnt budgeted for.We also have 3 kids and a mortgage.Our vacation to Ireland a couple of weeks ago was largely prepaid.How can you enjoy your self when you have to worry about a debt when you come back home?

I'm with the other debt-free posters. I don't believe in owing for anything other than a home--and would not take a trip unless I could pay for it without going into debt. Usually the hotel and air is paid for before we leave and the rest is paid for with cash/travellers checks along the way. Credit cards are for emergenies only. A large part of what is wrong with our national economy is the great amount of consumer debt. Why do we think we "deserve" life's suxuries if we have to buy them on "time"?

All great posts. We, too, have a "low overhead" lifestyle with our only vices being travel and Mrs Kal's shoes.

As for "Why do we think we "deserve" life's luxuries if we have to buy them on "time"?"...I think the events over the past few months show that sometimes life is too durn short. So as usual, "Diff strokes-diff folks".

Mahalo,
Kal

Whats wrong with you people. Why not live life to the fullest. I'm not saying get into debt, but enjoy the pleasures of life while you can. IF we learned anything from Sept. 11th, we should ENJOY every moment of life while we can. You never know what tomorrow will hold. You should enjoy everyday as if it was your last. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying let's go out and MAX the credit cards, but hek if you see such a GREAT deal on a Hawaii vacation for example, and you don't quite have the money to pay for it, charge it and take care of it until you return. Some opportunities are too good to pass by....
Something to think about?

Haven't any of you heard of debit cards? Convenience of a credit card, but no bill at the end of the month. Some can even be tied into accounts that give you rewards (like frequent flyers, etc).

Rachel you have the right idea...no need for credit card debt if you have the cash to cover the expenese. Pre-paying is also a good idea. Most travel can can be paid for in advance and in installments. Plan ahead. Stress is not a good travel companion.

I usually hunt down airfares that are low enough to pay with cash I already have, then I "charge" it on a debit card. Debit cards can be a baaaaaaad idea to use for car rentals and hotels, because the rental co/hotel might authorize a deposit larger than the amount you have in the account. So those other major things go on a regular credit card. I'm a budget traveller anyway. We rarely pay over $100 for a room. We don't eat fast food, but going to 4-star restaurants isn't a part of our vacations either. I guess on vacation we try and live our regular lifestyle, but with different scenery. My husband is kind of conservative with money anyway; even though we could afford it once a year, if we were spending $500 a day it would turn out to be a horrible vacation because he'd be worried about the bills the whole time.

Wow... I didn't think of that in regards to using your debit card at Hotels & car rentals... It's probably best to use American Express if available. At least you won't have an ongoing balance. Must be paid in full the following month.

Sure you all pay those debts before/after vacation. I bet if we took a national poll, most people come back with more debt after traveling, especially with children!

No debt at all. I only use debit cards. If I don't have the cash I can't afford the trip.

Sorry xxx, we never do anything we don't have the cash for, including vacation. We use debit or AMEX which is paid in full upon return. It's the way we both were brought up and the way we've always done it. I honestly didn't think anyone put a vacation on credit! Ouch!

A friend showed me a simple checkbook system that works great for me. Everytime I use my credit card, I deduct the amount from my checking account, just as I would a check. When the credit card statement arrives, I've already "paid" for it. No debt, plus all the convenience of a credit card.

No Way!!!
I'm gonna be real here. Yes I do charge my vacations. No bones about it!
Have no quarrels or quirms.. But, I'm not in debt! I know what my limit is. No fool here! Yes we do use the charge card for travel expenses- dinners, car rental, hotel, souvenirs. I also earn frequent flyer miles in the interim.

While I always have my entire budget set aside in a special bank account, I do use my credit card to pay for many of my expenses. I want the $1 million flight insurance by buying my airline tickets on my credit card. And the credit card also provides extra insurance on my car rentals. And if you have any problems with hotels, etc. you have the help of the credit card company to help dispute the problem. Debit cards just don't provide those services.

i guess i go in debt before i go on holidays. i havent' even paid off my august mexican holiday, then now i recently booked for xmas another 3600.00 for myself and my daughter, but im kind of relieved now since i was flying with canada 3000 and they have now filed for bankrupcy and grounded all planes. as long as i get my refund! from now on i will try to save some funds before i book a holiday again. its just to easy to put on my card! especially with my low interest rate.

We charge everything possible to our credit cards (Visa and MC) so we get miles with Continental for every $ we spent. But we pay our credit card bills every month. If we weren't able to pay in full we would travel less. It is so simple: travel as much as you can afford and enjoy every moment.

Wow Sue,

Where were you going before Canada 3000 filed cancelled all flights??
I know it's sooo easy to book that dream vacation on the charge. Tooo easy!