Empty bank accounts and guilt after vacation indulgences? An expert advises how to prevent this.

Returning from vacation and feeling a shiver at the sight of your bank balance? You're not alone. Summer indulgences can seriously strain the budgets of even those who manage their finances perfectly. This is something to be especially careful about, explains economist and personal finance specialist Eva Hlavsová from Direct Fondee.

Our financial decisions are not just about numbers, but also about emotions.

This is especially evident during vacation, when we long to relax and indulge in things we deny ourselves in our daily lives. Retailers take advantage of this, especially those serving tourists – customers they typically only see once a year.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying life—especially during vacation. The problem, however, arises when we return home to stress about spending and worry about whether we'll have enough money for everyday needs. If this situation persists, it's worth considering the causes and finding solutions that will help avoid similar stress in the future. – says Hlavsová.

One of the traps is – according to her – "loss of sense of value of money", resulting from the use of foreign currency.

- Using foreign currency can distort our perception of the value of money, especially when prices are expressed in a completely different numerical order than we're accustomed to. In such situations, it's easy to lose track and fail to notice that even small expenses can ultimately consume a significant portion of the budget. - explain.

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Empty account – what to do with it?

According to Eva Hlavsova, the key is a carefully prepared budget. It's worth finding out in advance how much basic products and services cost in your destination and planning a rough daily budget based on that. If you prefer to pay in cash, carrying the exact amount for each day can be helpful. When paying by card, it's worth taking advantage of features available in banking apps—such as daily limits, spending notifications, and transaction categories—that help you keep track of your finances and avoid unpleasant surprises upon your return. – advises Hlavsová.

At home, we tend to think practically, but on vacation, we want to have fun and make the most of our time. So when something special comes along, we often buy it out of fear that we'll never have the opportunity again.

- FOMO, or the fear of missing out on special opportunities, is particularly common on vacation. It's this fear that often pushes us to make impulsive, expensive decisions. A good way to prevent this is to determine in advance what we truly want to experience during our vacation—whether it's deep relaxation, culinary discoveries, or unforgettable experiences. It's worth allocating a larger portion of your budget to these elements, cutting back on other, less important expenses. – emphasizes Hlavsová.

However, she adds, this is much more difficult when traveling with others, which is most often the case. A child wants a souvenir, friends invite us on a trip—and to avoid spoiling the atmosphere, we agree to everything, despite our budget.

- No one wants to be perceived as someone who skimps on everything. However, talking about money – with a partner, children, or friends – is not only necessary but crucial for maintaining mental and financial well-being.  Clearly stating "this won't fit in my budget" is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of maturity and responsibility – argues Hlavsová.

However, the most important thing – according to the expert – is not to compare yourself with others – social media, neighbors, co-workers.

- From every side, we are bombarded with idealized images of other people's vacation experiences: exotic destinations, luxurious hotels, lavish dinners. It's easy to feel like you have to keep up to date to stay on track. However, trying to live up to these often unrealistic standards can lead not only to excessive spending but also to frustration and psychological strain. – warns Hlavsová.

Therefore, he emphasizes, everything, including the choice of travel destination, comes down to planning.

- If I want to return to my daily life after vacation with a sense of peace, not financial stress, I need to ensure, even during the planning stages, that the total cost of the trip—even including the budget for spontaneous expenses—fits within my monthly household budget. It can't conflict with my regular obligations or long-term goals, such as saving or investing. Immediate pleasure shouldn't come at the expense of financial stability and future security. - underlines.

In her opinion, the worst thing you can do is borrow money for your vacation or get into debt during it.

- One of the surest ways to ruin your vacation is to go into debt to finance it. Relaxation doesn't require long journeys or major expenses—sometimes the simplest solutions bring the most joy.  To this day, my fondest memories are of a camping holiday in the Šumava Mountains, which cost me nothing. What's more, the money I saved back then is still working in my investment account. It's this kind of satisfaction—both emotional and financial—that stays with us for a long time. - Hlavsová concludes.

Everything indicates that more and more people are starting to approach their holiday spending with greater awareness and responsibility. According to the report "Poles' Holiday Wallet 2025", a staggering 82 percent of respondents declared that they financed this year's vacation from their own funds—without taking out a loan or credit. This proves that Poles are increasingly understanding the importance of planning, even when it comes to vacations. This approach—in line with the recommendations of experts like Eva Hlavsová—allows you to enjoy summer without stress, and upon your return, maintain peace of mind and control over your household budget.