Going on a trip can be a lot of fun, but in some ways, it can also be stressful.  One of these stressful areas is your travel budget.  Unless you have a lot of money set aside or are independently wealthy, chances are, you’re not going to be able to throw money around.  Instead, you’ll have to pick and choose what you purchase.  However, there are some ways you can save some money and stay within your travel budget.

Purchasing non-perishables (donuts, bagels, bread, cereal, etc.) from a local supermarket can save you from spending money on breakfast and maybe even lunch.  You can also pick up snacks and drinks so you don’t buy things out of vending machines—they’re always more expensive than stores.  Even if your room doesn’t include a mini-refrigerator, some hotels do feature ice machines so you can cool down your drinks this way.  Always avoid room service if it’s an option because it’s always expensive.  You can usually eat out for less.

Another tip is to make a list of people you wish to buy souvenirs for and set a certain amount for each.  You may want to spend more on your sister, for example, than on a work associate, but if you don’t plan this out, you may end up impulse buying.  This can quickly lead to spending a lot of money and filling up any extra space in your luggage.

Speaking of luggage, some airlines now charge for checked baggage.  To avoid paying too much in fees, try to fit as much of your clothing as possible into one bag.  Also remember that you may be able to put your toiletries and other small items in a carry-on bag.  If you expect to purchase a good amount of stuff on your trip, you may want to fit a smaller bag inside your larger one.  On your way back, you can use the second bag to carry your purchases.  This way, you only pay for one checked bag on the way there instead of two.

Look for multi-admission passes or transportation passes.  Many public transportation systems feature weekly passes, and these usually come out cheaper than paying each time unless you aren’t going to use transportation very often.  Some city tourism departments also offer a multi-admission pass that lets you in to a number of different attractions for one price.  Again, if you’re going to visit three or four of these attractions, buying the pass instead of paying individually may be cheaper.