For some travel companions, the “money talk” wasn’t part of their pre-pandemic planning ritual. But as people start replanning trips canceled by the pandemic or begin booking their first big vacation for the After Times, it’s probably going to be more necessary.
“It’s hard to tell where people are at now,” said Nick Holeman, head of financial planning for Betterment. “Maybe people had to dip into emergency funds or aren’t able to pay off their credit cards in full for the first time due to the pandemic. Now, more than ever, it’s important to have those discussions.”
Even with those closest to us, talking about money can be challenging. When travel is thrown in, it can be made more stressful, because neither party wants to feel like they’re being held back or made to spend more than they can.
But if you’re willing to have those conversations upfront, it can make the trip more enjoyable, because you won’t be spending your time away constantly looking at a banking app. Here are some tips from financial experts as well as frequent travelers about how to navigate those talks.