When to Buy Your Tickets

 Awhile ago I was planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro. For weeks I had been looking at ticket prices. Randomly one day I saw roundtrip NYC - Rio for $250. I was elated!! However, instead of buying the ticket right away, I made a mistake and waited... The following day the price went up 50 dollars... Still, like a fool, I waited. The next day, the ticket was over $600. What a difference two days make.    

We've all made that same mistake. We wait around trying to find a friend to come with us. Then we want to see if the price will drop again. Then we want to find the perfect place to stay.  Waiting around usually leads to the price going up and this time it meant that I missed out on a trip of a life time.

How can we avoid that mistake? BUY right away!! Ticket prices fluctuate.  Shopping around and talking with others gives you an idea of what average prices are. When you see a good deal, a price you're comfortable with, buy it! Don't wait around with dreams of grandeur that the price will drop. It might, but if it goes up you'll only be kicking yourself.

Don't be afraid to go alone if you can't find someone else willing to buy their ticket. Remember, this is YOUR dream vacation. Don't let others make you spend more money than what you need to. Talk about your budget with your travel partners. Tell them to be ready to buy the ticket once you find a price you're comfortable with.

 If you're going to stay with friend, give them the potential dates you might arrive and see when they're around. Having to wait for them to get back to you might mean you'll miss out on a cheap ticket.