Think about the money... there

I'm sure I don't have to tell you to think about money when you are considering planning a big trip. Cost is usually the first thing people think about when they want to plan a trip or do any other activity.

What you might not consider is the exchange rate and how much your money will be worth in another country. Before deciding where you want to go you should look at a currency converter and find out how much money you will have to work with in your destination place. I think it is pretty well known thank Europe is very expensive for Americans right now, but maybe you don't know that costs of daily living for Australia are much more managable. Check out the conversion for Latin American and Asian countries they may be more suitable for your budget.

Another thing you might want to try and research is how much common items will cost in your destination place. When I first arrived in Australia I was surprised how much common items there cost, especially food and electronics. I've heard similar experiences from friends who have traveled to Europe. They were surprised how much they had to pay for food when they ate out as well as cost for clothes, toiletries and electronics. Once you've chosen your destination and booked your ticket you should come up with a strategy about how you will spend your money while you are traveling.

I hope these tidbits help you start thinking realistically about your next big trip!