If you haven’t booked yourself a holiday already, you’re likely spending your evenings frantically scanning Airbnb for hidden gems and strategising on how to maximise your annual leave in order to take off for a few days this summer. But whether you’re opting for a staycation closer to home or a trip abroad, the cost of travel can soon creep up, even if you’re keeping a close eye on your budget.

This year, the average UK household is expected to spend £1,850.80 on trips abroad, equating to £943.40 per person. Despite this, nearly a third of UK travellers admit they worry about spending too much before they jet off, particularly on pre-holiday expenses like a new wardrobe and beauty treatments.

The situation becomes increasingly complex if you’re heading away with friends whose financial situation is different to yours. Naturally, you never want to feel like you’re missing out, but it can be awkward to try to bridge the spending divide while still ensuring everyone gets the holiday experience they want. 

“When you make less money than your friends it’s tempting to turn to the credit card to match the spending energy, but you don’t have to go above your means to have a memorable holiday,” bespoke travel experts Go2Africa tell Stylist. Instead, there are some simple yet effective financial boundaries you can set to ensure that the trip goes smoothly.

Get comfortable with talking about money

We often avoid conversations about finances with our friends because it’s uncomfortable. But not talking about it can make things even more awkward, and we find ourselves making up excuses for not doing things rather than being upfront and explaining that it’s out of our budget.

If you’d prefer not to spend on a fancy dinner out every night, try not to compare yourself and your financial situation to your friends. They might be suggesting expensive destinations and activities, but discussing openly how much you’re comfortable with paying might even make them realise they don’t want to spend as much as they first thought.

Be prepared to negotiate and compromise

Bali may always sound like a good idea, but if your friends are suggesting destinations that are out of your budget, suggest alternatives rather than saying no to the holiday entirely. Lesser-known islands or towns just outside of main cities are often a lot less expensive and usually have fewer tourists. Look at other accommodation options, such as renting an apartment or an Airbnb instead of staying in a pricey hotel and staying somewhere with a kitchen means you can save money by cooking at home instead of eating out every night.

Remember to compromise though, so that everyone is happy. You could suggest a cheaper hotel that has options for your friends to have luxury upgrades, or you could stay in a more affordable apartment so you can budget for more extravagant activities and nights out. If possible, suggest changing the dates they’re looking at and travel out of season to save money on destinations you couldn’t afford in the height of summer.

Set boundaries before your travel, not when you’re there

As well as negotiating the big expenses like hotels and flights, make sure you discuss smaller things too. Do some research on the local area and suggest some restaurants and bars you’d all be happy to go to, so you don’t get stuck paying more than you budgeted for because you couldn’t find anywhere cheaper to eat.

Decide before you go if you’re going to be splitting bills equally or paying for exactly what you have, to avoid awkward discussions when the bill comes. Having these conversations before you travel can not only make it easier to budget, but also avoid putting yourself and your friends in uncomfortable situations when you’re away.

It’s up to you to stick to your budget

It can be easy to get carried away on holiday and end up spending more than you intended, especially when you’re with people who are able to spend more than you. Work out how much you’ll need for each day, plus a little extra for emergencies, and stick to it. If you find it difficult to stick to a budget when you’re away, leave the cards at home and only take cash, so you can’t spend any more than you can afford. Remember, their budget is not your budget, and it’s up to you to stick to the funds you have.

Don’t feel bad for saying no

Most importantly, if you can’t afford it, don’t feel guilty for saying no. Be honest with your friends and tell them why you can’t attend, rather than making up an excuse – your friends will understand. If their heart is really set on the plans they’ve come up with and they don’t want to change them, perhaps you can plan a trip next time that you can afford.

Images: Getty