The holidays come with joy and excitement, but also with the risk of overspending, which can turn the period into a stressful experience. How to plan your holiday budget? What expenses can be postponed? Is it more efficient to pay cash or by card when you go on vacation? And, most importantly, how to resist temptations and marketing strategies that empty your pocket? Economic expert Veaceslav Ionita answers these questions and gives practical tips for smart holiday budget management.
Holidays can become a financial burden if not planned properly, warns economic expert Veaceslav Ionita. Contacted by IPN, he explained how Moldovans can organize their budget for a successful holiday without unnecessary expenses, stressing the importance of planning and balancing costs and income.
"The most important thing is to relate your expenses to your income. You must not forget that there is life after the holidays. I recommend setting aside 20-25% of your income throughout the year to cover the costs of the holiday", said Veaceslav Ionita.
According to the expert, planning ahead is essential. "If you plan your vacation at least three months in advance, you save a minimum of 30%, and planning even earlier can cut your costs by as much as 50%", he explained.
Another important aspect is the choice of destination. If you want to plan a short vacation on your own, then Romania or Ukraine offer great experiences at affordable costs. A four-star hotel in Chernivtsi is two to three times cheaper than a similar one in Iasi. But with the war on, Romania has so much to offer: mountain hiking, mineral springs, places to explore on a budget.
"For me, discovering mountain hiking has been one of the best experiences this season. I believe that Romania is a destination still unexplored by Moldovans, but it is an accessible destination that we should discover and take advantage of its beauty", Veaceslav Ionita noted.
The expert also draws attention to additional costs such as food and souvenirs. "Instead of going to expensive restaurants, you can opt for simple but pleasant meals. For example, buying organic products in a shop and enjoying them in nature will give you a unique and cheaper experience. As for souvenirs, choose useful things like local food. All those items that gather dust are not worth the investment. What this season is a souvenir, next year it will be trash and a dust-gathering object on the shelf", Ioniță emphasized.
The expert also pointed to the advantages of digital financial management. "When you pay online, you can see exactly how much you spent and generate clear reports. Paying by card helps you better control your budget, whereas cash burns out faster and sometimes you lose track. Of course, when you go on vacation to the market or fairs, you can't always pay by card. It's important to have a cash reserve, but to avoid unnecessary spending, it's better to use your card," advised the expert.
For more remote destinations, such as Turkey or Egypt, Veaceslav Ionita suggested turning to travel agencies, which can offer better packages than organizing individually. "Agencies manage to offer deals at a lower price for popular destinations. On the other hand, for trips to Romania or Ukraine, traveling on your own is more flexible and more economical," says the expert.
In conclusion, Veaceslav Ionita underlines that vacations should not be seen as an expense but as an investment. "Rest is essential for recovering strength and improving productivity. By learning to balance emotions with rationality, we can turn any vacation into a memorable and affordable experience for everyone", concludes the expert.
In a world in which vacations are considered an essential right for restoring strength and mental health, in Moldova, a large part of the population cannot afford them. Holiday poverty, a term describing the inability to afford a period of relaxation, affects over 60% of Moldovans, according to a recent survey conducted by IDIS "Viitorul". This reality reflects economic problems and inequality that continues to grow despite global economic progress.
The IDIS "Viitorul" survey shows that in 2024, 71% of Moldovans said they could neither afford a vacation nor plan to take one. This figure includes the majority of people from rural areas, with low education levels, but also those in the 60+ age group. On the other hand, only 3.5% of Moldovans fall into the category of those who can afford to go on vacation several times a year. They are mainly young people with higher education, living in urban areas.
Doina Bejenaru, IPN
