My Big Fat Greek Girls Trip
Three years ago, a friend in Alexandria and her husband moved to Athens, Greece for a three-year job rotation. Almost immediately, another friend and I declared that we'd be visiting before they came home.
Three years sounds like plenty of time to plan a trip. In reality, life has a way of filling every available space with work deadlines, family commitments, home projects, and all the other things competing for our attention—and our budgets. But this June, after years of talking about it, researching it, and saving for it, we're finally on our way.
One thing I've learned over the years is that meaningful experiences rarely happen by accident. They usually require the same things as any other financial goal: a plan, a budget, and a little patience. This trip wasn't a spur-of-the-moment splurge. It was something we intentionally saved for and built toward over time, which makes finally taking it feel even sweeter.
Flights:
I opened a new United Plus Mileage credit card in order to bank some hefty miles that could be used for flight upgrades on an international flight. Extra legroom comes with a pretty price tag on those long-haul flights, so this was a great way to use the miles. Travel rewards aren't worth spending money you wouldn't otherwise spend, but when used strategically they can help stretch a travel budget considerably.
Tip: I had to do a temporary “thaw” to my credit in order to open the new credit card. Follow my guide for freezing your credit and navigating temporary thaws for these situations.
Hotels: Budget-friendly or Luxury-stay?
As we've gotten older, we've become less interested in squeezing every dollar out of a vacation and more interested in spending intentionally on the things that matter most. For us, that meant paying a little more for walkability, proximity to the water, and reliable air conditioning in June.
Tip: Getting on the same page about costs, my travel buddy and I sat down to sketch out a budget with realistic flight and hotel costs. Next, we set up a savings plan – I even have a dedicated savings account for travel – to reach our budget goal. She used her bonuses, I used a regular paycheck deposit plan. There's something satisfying about watching a travel fund grow. Every automatic transfer becomes a small vote for your future self, and over time those little deposits turn an aspirational trip into a plane ticket and a hotel reservation.
Experiences: Investing in your trip intentionally
Y’all know that I’m big on investing in the experiences. Years from now, I probably won't remember exactly what our hotel room looked like. I will remember learning to navigate Athens by e-bike, searching for the best baklava, wandering a farmers market before cooking dinner, and lingering over fresh seafood at an open-air taverna with a good friend.
Tip: We use the app Splitwise to track our shared expenses like the tours we pre-booked. This app makes it easy to identify how you want to split something (equally, stated percentage or dollar amount) and even tracks purchases in different currencies. It also helps neutralize those fears that can arise in group travel, “I paid for coffee yesterday…”
As I've gotten older, I've realized that the best trips aren't necessarily the most luxurious or the most exotic. They're the ones you intentionally make room for—on your calendar, in your budget, and in your life.
Three years ago, Greece was just an idea discussed over a glass of wine in Alexandria. This month, it's finally happening. And while I'm looking forward to the blue water, the seaside tavernas, and spending time with friends, there's something rewarding about knowing that a little planning, patience, and saving helped make it all possible.
Yamas!
This communication is for informational and educational purposes only. No content or reference is intended to be a recommendation for the sale or investment in any product, strategy or service nor should it be perceived as individual advice. Please seek the advice of a financial advisor regarding your particular financial situation. Visit xmlfg.com for more information.
SEE ALSO: What the Latest Tax Law Changes Could Mean for You (and Why It Matters Now)
