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One of the major highlights of growing up during the festive season was visiting the village.
Everything was relaxing —The beautiful, serene environment that was void of the big city’s blaring noise, the smell of harmattan, the communal living, the streams, and the agbalumo (African cherry). That is what I think when I imagine December holidays and vacations, except now we are grown and it is going to be more of adult talk and bike rides than tree climbing and chasing chickens.
We are adults now, and the financial burden of vacationing falls squarely on our shoulders. We have to be better at planning, travelling, vacationing and general outings. Man must not work alone. We work hard and rest soft!.
Given the situation with the naira and the inflation, one wonders if this year’s travel plans should be put on pause, but some of us have coconut heads, and the truth is that when next in the hustle and bustle of Lagos, Abuja, PH or other nigerian cities we would not have the time to spend time with our family and loved ones except in December. So, let’s assume you are not already on your way to your hometown when you read this, and if you are, that’s fine too. Continue and bookmark this guide on your browser ahead of 2026. In our local Parlance ‘Year wey go sweet, na from December you go sabi’ roughly translates to “an enjoyable year would be known before the beginning of that year.”
The biggest mistake we make with travel is treating vacations as emergencies instead of planned expenses. Travel is not always a surprise. December comes every year. Sallah, Easter, weddings, burial weekends and long weekends always find their way into the calendar. When travel is not planned for, it is funded with debt—borrowed money or delayed bills.
The first rule of travel budgeting is planning early and saving gradually. Once you know you want to travel next year — village visit, beach getaway, or international trip — start a dedicated travel fund. It does not need to be loud. Small, consistent contributions over several months will always beat last-minute panic spending, especially if you were saving it in an account that will allow you to get some interest. Saving ₦20,000 monthly for a year feels lighter than rushing to find ₦240,000 in one month. Add more monthly according to what comes in; don’t save all your money, and don’t develop an ulcer from stress or anxiety.
Read also: Trump’s new travel policy scatters homecoming plans for many
Next is choosing realistic destinations. Social media has raised travel expectations without raising incomes. Not every vacation needs to be Dubai, Zanzibar or Santorini. Nigeria still has beautiful, affordable destinations — Obudu, Erin Ijesha, Ilashe, Ibom Golf Resort, Ikogosi, or even a quiet village stay with reduced expenses. A good vacation is not about distance; it is about rest. Know this and know peace.
Transportation deserves special attention. Have you seen the prices of travel across the board? Air tickets are through the roof; Bus rides are beginning to look like air ticket fares, and even the train tickets are having shoulder pads. So, book early where possible. Flights and interstate transport get more expensive the closer you get to travel dates, especially around festive periods.
If road travel is the option, budget not just for transport fare but also for food, emergencies and return trips. Forgetting the return cost is one of the most common budgeting mistakes.
This vacation, you have to ask yourself where you would stay. Accommodation is another silent budget killer. Know your comfort level and budget honestly. You do not need to stay where you will be stressed financially just to post pictures. Sometimes staying with family or friends, or choosing modest accommodation, frees up money for enjoyment instead of bills.
Another important rule is budgeting for activities, not just movement. Many of us plan transport and accommodation but forget feeding, outings, souvenirs and “small enjoyment”. These small expenses add up quickly. A vacation budget that ignores them will always overshoot.
It is also important to set clear spending limits while travelling. I remember travelling to Akwa Ibom state for a little respite. I spent all the cash I had on things I had no plans for and business buying – the bread was sweet, oh, but unnecessary.
Vacations are meant to be enjoyed, but enjoyment without a budget often ends in regret. Decide beforehand what you can spend daily and stick to it. Rest does not require reckless spending.
Finally, never fund travel with money meant for rent, school fees, loan repayments or emergency savings.
A vacation that leaves you financially stranded is not rest — it is postponed stress. As you prepare for next year, remember: a soft life is sweetest when it is debt-free.
