Vacation's Hidden Costs

As a single mom, planning a #vacation is always an intricate dance of timing and financial gymnastics. The one thing I've learned over the years is that there is a LOT more to planning my vacation expenses than just airfare, hotel and food. Here are few things you should consider into your vacation budget, no matter where you go or how you book:

• Have pets? In-house pet-sitting starts about $5 per visit, 3 times per day. If you board, you can expect to spend $200+ for the average 2-pet household. Don't forget you need to tip that pet-sitter and leave emergency funds behind, just in case.
• Ground transportation: $25-50 one-way average. (Uber can bring the price down but is less predictable than pre-booked taxis, limos and shuttles.) Before you go, find out if your destination hotel or resort offers free or discounted transportation.
• Airport parking - factor in at least $9-$10 per day if you plan to drive yourself and leave your vehicle near the airport. I'm a fan of Parking Spot myself, and never forget the tip for the bus drivers each way. ($2-$5 depending on the number of bags your driver loads/unloads for you.)
• International acknowledgment letter - I'm a single parent, which means each time I leave the country, I or my ex- gets to drop $10+ on the notary fee for that letter that says he knows about the trip and approves of my taking the squirt out of the country.
• Tour packages: unless you're at an all-inclusive resort, chances are you're going to want to book some of the fun activities available at your destination. Plan $50 to $150 per person per activity on average. Doesn't include tips, which should be 10-20% for your tour guide(s).
• Snacks - with today's TSA rules, it's hard to bring snacks with you on your trip. I usually drop about $30-$50 on snacks and drinks for my daughter and myself on a 5-day trip. (Includes that morning coffee and midday bottles of water.)
• Meals: unless your trip includes a pre-paid dining package, you can expect to spend an average of $25 per person per meal at most popular destinations, and that's being conservative. Finer dining options will easily run $40-50 per plate at some locations.
• Overweight luggage: $75. I swear that big bag weighed 35 lbs when we left. On the way back it's inevitably 52 lbs, unless I remember to check an extra suitcase for all the crap we seem to accumulate while we're away, including sand and wet swimsuits, which add to your bag's weight.
• Souvenirs: $15-50 per person. Yeah, that's where they get ya. Add a tiny "Belize" t-shirt to a typical $3 stuffed bear and suddenly it's worth $25. Right?
• Hotel/Resort staff tips. $5 for the housekeeper. (Once) $2-$5 for the porter. Room service, concierge...need I go on?
• Lost luggage: $200. Yep. My luggage got lost on it's way to Belize. Toothpaste, toothbrushes & deodorant alone were $25. Sunscreen & bug repellant $8 each. A simple pair of shorts: $25. A new swimsuit: $45. My daughter and I shared a suitcase so multiply all that by 2. Sure, the airline will reimburse us, but for now I'm out $200 I hadn't planned to spend.
• Getting around: in Belize, we rented a golf cart for $65 for 4 hours. Water taxis were $8/person each way. Say you want to leave Disney World and visit Universal or Sea World in Orlando for a day? Plan on spending up to $50 if you hadn't already rented a car.
• Entertainment is rarely part of the package. Adult beverages are inevitably more expensive when traveling ($10+ during happy hour) and chances are you're going to want to rent a movie or splurge on a wifi connection during some down time. Don't forget to factor those costs in.
• Baby sitting. Planning some grown up time while on vacation? Expect to pay higher than home rates for childcare. $15/hr average)

The short of it is, take whatever you plan to spend for a 5-day vacation and add $1000 to be sure you're covered for all those "surprise" costs associated with spending time away from home.