Ease the sting of holiday spending

I  AM just back from a week’s holiday in Ireland and it got me thinking just how expensive holidaying is. I am happy living in sunny Spain, but when it comes to using a Spanish salary to take a trip outside of Spain – ouch! 

Now is the time when many expatriates are probably thinking about a holiday back home or a vacation out of Spain. It’s a natural instinct to want to get away, chill out and relax during the summer, but unless you organise your trip abroad carefully, it could end up being a minefield.

The trick is to plan ahead. Check out flights well in advance and get the best deals. The longer you leave it the more expensive they usually are.

Plus, buying a few months in advance means you are not burdened with lots of costs at one time. Also, make sure to check-in any extra luggage online.

Checking-in extra bags at the airline desk at the airport can cost nearly double the price it is online. And for those flying Ryanair, get the measuring tape out and measure your carry-on cabin luggage – it’s exactly 55cm x 40cm x 20cm or a €60 extra charge.

And while on the topic of the airport, don’t forget to make your own sandwiches before you leave the house. The stodgy and tasteless food at the airport is ridiculously expensive as we’re captives there with no other options. 

Money-wise, be prepared.  Don’t make the mistake of not going to an ATM to withdraw money before flying, as you’ll be charged a substantial fee for withdrawing money outside Spain.

A good idea is to take some cash and then also whack some money on your credit card before you go. Using your credit card to pay for things will help avoid any nasty charges.

Finally, although you think you’re not addicted to your mobile phone and you can enjoy a holiday with the darn thing turned off, the sad truth is you are addicted!

Don’t get caught out answering calls, surfing the net and sending texts on your Spanish SIM card, as it will cost a fortune.

With all this in mind, you should be able to enjoy your holidays with-out worrying about the cost of it all.