How To: Budget During Spring Break

Spring break is right around the corner and the ants in the pants have been busy keeping the excitement up! As we get ready to head to PCB or visit our friends at their colleges we completely forget about everything else. What to bring? Who to go with? Where to stay? Well don’t forget the budget! Most of us can’t afford to just blow all our savings on spring break so here’s a couple of ways to keep you afloat while sipping coolattas in the pool.

1.  Know how much you have to spend, not how much you can spend!

That side job at the dining hall these last couple weeks may bring you big bucks but that doesn’t mean you have to blow it all. Count your money and tailor your budget to wherever you are going. See what you have in the bank to spend on wants and how much would be wise to keep in the future. Take it out the bank. It’s better to keep cash on you, if not the swipe might control you!

2.  Don’t buy souvenirs.

This is a hard one but resisting the urge will be your best friend at the end. If you can’t resist it completely limit yourself on the number you plan to buy. It’s those little rinky dink trademark souvenirs that will get you. But if you happen to find that one unique vintage bracelet then by all means go for it!

3.  Eat Smart.

Don’t forget to incorporate food into your budget but don’t assume that you have to spend $25 every time you go out. If you’re with a group find places that target that. Look up places that the city is known for like Giordano’s in Chicago or Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles in California. Most likely they won’t be expensive. Then you can reserve 2 days for a nice fancy dinner with your girlfriends.

4.  Use city resources and offers!! Get a Groupon!

Even if you plan on staying in a resort it’s almost positive you will want to get out and explore the city. Get the Groupon app and see what discounted offers they have for the city you’re in. You could save so much it’s scary! Explore the city travel guide and see what free museum days they have or what cool free attractions they offer. You know what they say, “the best things in life are really free.”

Hopefully these four little tips will help out some during this break so you don’t come back to school living off Ramen. Have fun and keep your pockets balanced!