Marriage is the ultimate investment, pouring your lives into each other and committing to one another endless devotion, energy, and love.\u00a0 As your first married getaway together, you want your honeymoon to reflect that importance, and, thankfully, that doesn\u2019t have to come in the form of the amount of money you spend.\u00a0 Here\u2019s how to ensure your celebration is big on meaning without overstretching your finances.<\/p>\n
Begin planning your honeymoon by deciding how much you can realistically afford to spend, and decide where those funds will come from.\u00a0 Do you have cash set aside?\u00a0 20 Something Finance cites statistics<\/a><\/u> showing many couples set themselves up for stress by going into significant debt when they marry, but a cash-only honeymoon ensures that won\u2019t happen.\u00a0 Is someone gifting some or all of the trip to you outright, or are you considering using a honeymoon registry<\/a><\/u> to help pay for things?\u00a0 To help ensure you don\u2019t miss any details, use a printable worksheet<\/a><\/u> for tallying numbers.\u00a0 Once you decide how much you can spend, stick to it!<\/p>\n One of the best ways to ensure you stay within your financial constraints is to do some driving.\u00a0 A domestic road trip can save substantially by avoiding customs, airfare, passports, and the like, and having your own wheels means freedom to do as you please.\u00a0 And as Martha Stewart points out, a road trip<\/a><\/u> could turn out to be the most romantic adventure you ever take, as well as being a cost-saver.<\/p>\n Whether staying close to home or heading overseas, consider investing in a used vehicle for your journey.\u00a0 On top of avoiding mileage and wear and tear on your car, you avoid spending money on taxis, rentals or other forms of transportation.\u00a0 Use an online search tool<\/a><\/u> to find the right vehicle for your excursion, and when your honeymoon is over, resell whatever you buy to recoup your money.<\/p>\n No matter how you get there, the options are nearly endless when it comes to great honeymoon destinations.\u00a0 Many couples struggle with narrowing their choices, especially if they have very different ideas of what the ideal honeymoon will be.\u00a0 To make sure nobody is just along for the ride, Traveler\u2019s Joy recommends fishing out grounds for compromise<\/a><\/u>. To mesh your budget, destination, and desires, plan a pizza night and open a bottle of wine.<\/p>\n What kind of location will make you both happy, for instance, city, country, beach, or safari<\/a><\/u>?\u00a0 Think about whether your honeymoon should include multiple locales or just one, and consider options that can blend both of your hearts\u2019 desires.\u00a0 For instance, if one of you prefers museums and cosmopolitan hustle, and the other wants to lounge in the sand, a trip to a coastal city<\/a><\/u> might be in order.\u00a0 A hotel with a fabulous spa<\/a><\/u> can provide an opportunity for relaxation in a location also boasting a great nightlife<\/a><\/u>.\u00a0 A destination which offers variety can mean not only satisfying both of you, you also enjoy more experiences for the same expense.<\/p>\n No matter where you go, there are ample ways to have a great time and stretch your money.\u00a0 A travel card<\/a><\/u> which doesn\u2019t charge foreign transaction fees can save if heading abroad, and one with good rewards means you can reap gains throughout the trip, regardless of your destination.\u00a0 Another idea is to decide where to splurge and what will be a comfortable area for give.\u00a0 For instance, do you prefer to spend your money on luxurious hotels, fine food, or activities and entertainment?\u00a0 You can stretch your lodging funds by camping<\/a><\/u> or staying in hostels<\/a><\/u>, make the most of your meal budget<\/a><\/u> by choosing accommodations with a kitchen, and there are cheap or free things to do in nearly any location.<\/p>\n Planning a budget-savvy honeymoon can sound contradictory.\u00a0 However, with the right frame of mind you can plan a perfect trip that\u2019s about your new life together without overspending.\u00a0 Start your marriage out on the right foot by making budget-savvy decisions, and have a wonderful time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nThinking road trip?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Brainstorming session<\/strong><\/h2>\n
More bang for your buck <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Dollar-saving details<\/strong><\/h2>\n