Do your research
Many of us already spend a good amount of time researching our vacations, so this first step of the budget-planning process shouldn't be too foreign — you just need to take your research one step further. Plane tickets to a certain destination may be cheap, but what about hotel rates, transportation expenses and entry fees to attractions? Before you book a flight, conduct plenty of research to formulate a preliminary estimate of what the destination will cost you. Tornatore calls this "vacationing within your means." Once you've figured out the airfare, don't forget to consider how much of your budget should be allocated for getting around (including airport parking and transfers). And if you're renting a car (or bringing your own set of wheels), use a site like Gasbuddy.com to determine your fuel expenses. The trip calculator can give you an estimate based on the miles you're traveling and the type of vehicle you're driving. Of course, the cost of getting to and from your vacation locale is only a fraction of the overall budget; don't forget about the other biggie: accommodations.