Shoppers Magazine 02

SIMBA SHOPPERS MAGAZINE - THE CHRISTMAS ISSUE
VACATION PLANNING CHECKLIST
DECIDE WHERE TO STAY
• List your top 3 choices with pros and
cons of each
• Research package deals
• Find accommodations that meet your
needs
MAKE TRAVEL PLANS
• Create a budget; consider vacations as
part of overall expenses. Think about
vacations as part of your regular
household budget
• Involve your family. Discuss plans and
expectation and set limits together
to avoid arguments or unplanned
expenses
• Setup a specific vacation savings account
and initiate autopay credits into
this account
• Book accommodations
• Book airline tickets, reserve rental
cars, etc
• Purchase tickets for any events or
attractions
TO DO BEFORE YOU GO
• Request time off work
• Arrange for a house or pet sitter
• Put a hold on mail/newspaper delivery
• Pay bills that will be due during your
time away
FOR THE CALENDAR
• Record your vacation dates
• Reschedule appointments and activities
that conflict with your vacation
• Make a loose schedule of activities for
the trip
FOR THE SHOPPING LIST
• Supplies and gear for your destination
• Gift for your hosts if you’re staying in
someone’s home
• Gifts for friends and neighbors who
take care of your house, lawn, or pets
benefit of having itemised and
traceable expenses
AFTER YOUR TRIP
• Compare your initial budget with
actual costs. If you see that you went
off track, don’t beat yourself up.
Discuss with your family and attain
consensus on what you could do
differently next time
• Pay bills pertaining to the holiday as
soon as possible. Taking care of the
costs of one trip will free you up for
both necessary regular expenses and
for saving up for the next trip!
The benefits of taking a holiday
can be considerable if you spend
your time away in a positive
and healthy way. You don’t even
have to venture far from where
you live or spend a huge amount
of money. Just taking a week
away to concentrate on yourself
will create significant benefits for
both your mental and physical
health.
DURING YOUR TRIP
• Stick to your Budget. Regularly balance
what you are spending against
what you planned and adjust when an
where necessary
• Use your credit or debit card wherever
possible. It is safer and easier than
carrying cash, and you have the added
Time spent planning your holiday is always an investment
in the time you’ll get to spend relaxing once you get away.
Spend some time now, and just think one or two things
through so that you can get out there and have the best time
possible without any of the worry or stress.
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