So you want to travel the world…there are some important money talks you need to have with your nearest and dearest before you start packing.
New Orleans. Vancouver. Barcelona. Buenos Aires. Hong Kong. Sydney. Nairobi. You want to travel anywhere and everywhere.
But these excursions aren’t always cheap. And when you’re sharing a life with a significant other, finances are often tangled together. If hopping on a train or boarding a plane is your great passion, it’s only fair to talk fundamental finances with your S/O.
YOU SHOULD DEFINE YOUR DESTINATIONS.
Before you start reviewing numbers, you and your partner each need to explain your idea of a vacation. You may be closer (or farther apart) than you know. Does a vacation mean experiencing an exotic location or enjoying rest and relaxation? What are favorite trips each of you has taken? Discuss details.
With this information out in the open, you both understand the other’s starting point. When vacation planning time rolls around, you’ll be speaking the same language. Now it’s time to talk about money.
TALK ABOUT YOUR VALUES
What does each of you value enough to spend significant money on? Sure, you’re hooked on travel, but what else is there? Food, clothing and shelter are necessities. You and your partner need to explain what’s really worth big bucks to you…as well as what’s not. If you need help saving money, read our article about how managing money could be the key to your success.
Knowing this not only increases mutual understanding but also opens the door to negotiation. Maybe you can give a little in order to get what you really want — frequent travel adventures.
DON’T FORGET TO COMPROMISE
Travel destinations aren’t always hour or days away. Staycations, or day trips in your local area, are typically much more affordable and less time consuming than outright vacations. Explore the possibility of this type of travel with your partner. Talk about nearby trips you can take that don’t hit the budget so hard. You might face less resistance than with big-budget journeys.
You can also make the point that daycations contribute to local businesses. You’re spending money at nearby gas stations, restaurants, attractions, stores and museums. This is vital to many community economies. Check out 7 ways to save for your dream travel experience if you need some dosh for adventures.
DON’T FORGET THE BIG D
It’s important to talk about the big D — debt. How much does each of you have? What amount are you comfortable with? If you’re putting a lot of your travel on credit cards, you need to discuss how that impacts your overall financial health. Carrying debt is scary to a lot of people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Show that your treks don’t increase your debt or you have a workable plan to handle your credit cards. This boosts confidence in your financial responsibility, which might make your travel addiction easier to swallow.
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