When you have credit card debt, many life events are often put on hold. Simple pleasures like eating out, shopping and going on vacation are riddled with guilt as you think about how all the money could be put toward bills. But when you constantly pay off debt, you also need a break now and again to continue enjoying life and staying financially motivated.

Even if you have credit card debt, you can still plan a wonderful vacation without skipping payments. Tuck Associates wants to help you gain financial independence and build confidence as you pay off debt and find a healthy balance.

The Importance of Flexibility

If someone only commits every cent they make to paying off bills, they’re likely to become depressed and burnt out. Although it’s important to pay as much as you reasonably can toward debt each month, you shouldn’t sacrifice important aspects of your well-being including a social life and family vacations.

The key factor of enjoying financial freedom while you pay off debt is flexibility. You may not be able to justify or afford the brand name jacket you want, for example, but you can still purchase a new coat that looks great and boosts your self-esteem.

The same goes for a vacation. While cheaper accommodations and transportation should be chosen first, you don’t have to automatically assume that traveling is completely out of the question just because you have debt.

Choose the Right Destination

Tuck Associates suggests choosing a travel destination that is relatively local and, as a result, more affordable to reach. A close location will cut down on flight or train costs so you can allocate more money to your savings, debt repayment or other travel expenditures.

A road trip to the coast or a few states over can be just as fun and exciting as jet setting to another country. It may not be exactly what you want right now, but keep that flexible mindset in place so you can embrace the opportunities and adventures that are close to you.

Visit Family or Friends

If you have family or friends in a different state, consider staying with them instead of paying for a hotel. Although private accommodations are typically more convenient, allowing loved ones to host you could save you hundreds of dollars that can be put toward credit card payments.

Understand Debt’s Role in Your Life

Some forms of debt are difficult to ever live without; mortgages, auto and student loans endure for years, and they are an essential part of life. People who still have these forms of debt can still learn to budget within their leans and lead fulfilling lives.

If you have credit card debt, the first thing you should do is understand which debts are the most pressing. Typically, these are the cards with the highest balances or interests. Turn your attention to them first so you can free up your budget after they’ve been paid off.

Plan Ahead

You will only amass more debt and guilt if you go on vacation before you’re able; credit card debt requires careful planning, so you should adjust your monthly budget and begin putting money away toward your next vacation for several months or even a year before the trip.

The goal is to pay with cash entirely, not pay down a card only to acquire more travel debt. With a flexible mindset and solid budget, you can begin planning your next vacation guilt-free