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Budgeting my travel extras

Why is it that I can figure out how to travel the globe but

My “when I get there” expenses ALWAYS exceed what I had planned? Looking back on the past two months I’ve realized that

While I’m a whiz at traveling on the cheap, the shopping when I get there…not so much.

I need a way to CONTROL my travel extras

**souvenirs, spas and socializing**

I was determined to try to reign it in these past two weeks and I had a plan!

Armed with my SERVE pre-paid account from American Express and Verizon, I loaded $250 on to the card and hit the road. I knew that I could use the card anywhere that American Express is accepted, and I had the added bonuses of purchase protection, roadside assistance, and entertainment access (all things that I may have to use when traveling). I downloaded the SERVE app onto my Verizon Droid Incredible 4G LTE so that I could send and receive money in an emergency via Facebook, email or text, but my REAL goal was to stay UNDER that $250 mark.

I am proud to say, that the experiment was a success.

While I did buy my share of goodies and souvenirs

I actually found myself consciously spending less, knowing that I had a limited budget. Rather than buy yet ANOTHER leather handbag (yes, I drooled over it for a while), I was much more practical and purchased this Dream Bracelet that I knew I’d wear every day (plus it was unusual).

I love knowing that if I set a budget, that no matter WHAT happens to be in that store or if my favorite champagne is on the menu that I won’t exceed my budget, AND I can do it so easily. For more about the SERVE card from American Express, check out my Serve video and post from two weeks ago.

I’d love to know YOUR tips for staying on a budget when you travel PLUS offer one of Champagne Living’s readers the opportunity to win a Pre-Paid SERVE card loaded with $250 to keep to spend on YOUR favorite items (yes, this includes SPA DAY).

GIVEAWAY

WINNER:  Shannon G – Jurupa Valley, CA

Extra Entries & Rules

  • Follow me on twitter @zipporahs and tweet about this giveaway using the hashtag #ChampagneLiving
  • Comment below with your tweet
  • Subscribe to Champagne Living,  follow me on facebook or twitter – all found on the sidebar (each counts for 1 extra entry)
  • Tell your peeps on your blog, facebook page or twitter about this or any post (each counts for 1 extra entry) and link to us.
  • Share this giveaway on any contest/sweepstakes/giveaway site for 5 extra entries..
  • This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over and ends on October 28, 2012
  • No purchase is necessary.
  • Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of entries received.
  • Void where prohibited by law.

I participated in this sponsored post campaign for Serve by American Express. All opinions stated are my own.

Comments

  1. I’m feeling pretty lucky right now! 😉 here’s my tweet btw http://twitter.com/TarynP/status/257204992216272897

    My tips for staying on a budget?
    My favorite one is using a prepaid card (which you nailed in this post.) It’s WAY too easy to swipe a debit card and lose control of spending… ESPECIALLY when you’re in a foreign country.

    Other tips to staying on a budget including:
    1 – knowing your budget (account for tipping when factoring dining out costs.)
    2 – research extra curricular ideas and print (or email to yourself) the ones you’re interested in) so you don’t have to spend money roaming or using internet cafes to access this data.
    3 – use only cash (or the local currency.)

    -tarynp 🙂

  14. I’m an email subscriber.

    And I forgot to say…my favorite tip is to actually get one prepaid card for each day of your trip. Have the card loaded with that days budget, and when it’s gone, it’s gone for the day.

  17. My tip is to write out a list of projected expenses before the trip and stick to it.

  24. My tip is to do a exclusive search on possible sales/deals online before the trip, search for hotels/restaurants/shopping…etc.

  30. follow you everywhere possible.. thanks for this opportunity! I love that AMEX has joined in the ‘prepaid’ wars.. what a great idea!

    Staying on budget when traveling, for me, has always been a challenge. But I try to have a clear idea of what it is I want to remember with my purchase so that I don’t end up buying something I could get just anywhere.

  39. My travel tip for saving money is to go with a specific experience in mind that I want to accomplish, a specific souvenir that I am seeking, and a list of uber cheap OR free things to do. All this makes me feel like I am living the the high life but yet..NOT overspending.

    I love your idea as well. (Can’t spend what you don’t have RIGHT?)

  45. I tweeted, subscribed and liked on facebook. Winning this would mean a lot to me now! Times are tough!!

  112. We look for good deals on hotels (like half-price from Groupon or LivingSocial) and we watch our spending. We take in free events (like enjoying the outdoors).
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  116. TWEET–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/258205264015134720

    gina.m.maddox @ gmail dot com

  118. My budget travel tip is to bring the smallest suitcase you can (less room to bring back souvenirs!!)

  119. i follow you – @zipporahs and tweeted about this giveaway w/ hashtag #ChampagneLiving

    @cdmtx65

  139. Please give me another entry, I already subscribe to your newsletter. Thank you for the contest.

  179. I tweeted and have been following you for a while (@misspitamarie). Thanks for the giveaway!

  203. Added to this linky yesterday:
    sonyashappenings (dot) com /sonyas-weekend-giveaway-linky

    (I wrote it like that because my comment is not going through and I’m wondering if because of the link.)

  204. Added to this linky yesterday:
    sonyashappenings (dot) com /sonyas-weekend-giveaway-linky

    (I wrote it like that because my comment is not going through and I’m wondering if because of the link.)

    2

  205. Added to this linky yesterday:
    sonyashappenings (dot) com /sonyas-weekend-giveaway-linky

    (I wrote it like that because my comment is not going through and I’m wondering if because of the link.)

    3

  206. Added to this linky yesterday:
    sonyashappenings (dot) com /sonyas-weekend-giveaway-linky

    (I wrote it like that because my comment is not going through and I’m wondering if because of the link.)

    4

  207. Added to this linky yesterday:
    sonyashappenings (dot) com /sonyas-weekend-giveaway-linky

    (I wrote it like that because my comment is not going through and I’m wondering if because of the link.)

    5

  235. My tip is to always plan ahead on paper before you go and I always allow just a little over what I intend to spend and stick to that amount. Also, grab a prepaid card in the amount you set and always use that

  255. Oops! Didn’t realize Twitter follow could be separate entry from tweet soooo… I follow you on Twitter @angevege. 🙂

  256. One way I stay on budget when traveling is to designate a specific amount to spend on each meal of the day.

  280. My tips for staying on a budget: Always know exactly how much you can spend BEFORE going on a trip. Once we’re on vacation we want to be everything. Also only carry cash (the local currency) You don’t want to be paying with a credit card. Things add up pretty fast.

    – I already follow you on Twitter and I’m already subscribed to your blog. 🙂

  359. my tip is to do a price comparison of hotels/restaurants in the area in order to budget your money

  369. Staying on a budget at home or away can be trying at times. If you use the pre-paid cards It makes it alot simpler. These days you can pay almost all of your bills online. I love my card!

  452. I am an email subscriber, thanks!
    When I travel I make sure to set aside the amount of money I think I will need each day in its own envelope/clip/pile. Then I also include a “buffer” amount for the whole trip that I can use if I have to go over one day. So far it has worked well for me 🙂 Thanks!
    kconklin1028@gmail.com

  464. I do all my research before travelling to find the best deals on hotels, tickets, and even dining. That’s how I stay on budget while traveling.

  528. I Tweeted:
    #http://champagneliving.net/budgeting-my-travel-extras/win Pre-Paid SERVE card from American Express loaded with $250

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    一項總統民調指出，賴清德的支持度平均約34.78%，侯友宜為29.55%，而柯文哲則為23.42%​​。
    另一家媒體的民調顯示，賴清德的支持率為32%，侯友宜為27%，柯文哲則為21%​​。
    台灣民意基金會的最新民調則顯示，賴清德以36.5%的支持率領先，柯文哲以29.1%緊隨其後，侯友宜則以20.4%位列第三​​。
    綜合這些數據，可以看出賴清德在目前的民調中處於領先地位，但其他候選人的支持度也不容小覷，競爭十分激烈。這些民調結果反映了選民的當前看法，但選情仍有可能隨著選舉日的臨近而變化。

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