 TITLE: How to Budget for a Dream Summer Vacation CONTENT: Don't: Take Out a Personal Loan\n-------------------------------\nA personal loan can be used for several different purposes, like consolidating debt or paying for a big one-time expense. You'll pay it back in fixed payments with an interest rate tied to your credit profile, and the rate can reach up to 36 percent. But if booking a trip requires you to take out a loan, you can't afford it—interest will make travel more expensive, and your payment will add an expense to a potentially already tight budget.\nInstead, assess how much of your cash savings you can safely put toward a vacation (while keeping your emergency fund intact), and opt for less extravagant trips if necessary. Even getting an Airbnb within driving distance, in a destination with free activities like hiking, could be enough to feel like a getaway. END