Instructions
You and a friend are planning an amazing 4-day road trip from Naples, Florida, to Charleston, South Carolina! You've saved up a total of $2,500 for the two of you. Your goal is to figure out if this budget is enough to cover all your plans. Use the information below to calculate your expenses and manage your money. Show your work in the space provided.
Trip Details:
- Total Budget: $2,500
- Duration: 4 days and 3 nights
- Travelers: 2 people
- Must-Do Activities: See the Beauty and the Beast musical and take a tour of the famous Outer Banks TV show filming locations.
Part 1: Calculating Your Fixed Costs
Fixed costs are the big expenses you know you'll have to pay. Let's calculate them first.
A. Travel - Gas
The round trip is 1,200 miles. Your car gets 30 miles per gallon (MPG), and gas costs an average of $3.50 per gallon.
- First, find out how many gallons of gas you'll need. (Total Miles ÷ MPG)
- Now, calculate the total cost for gas. (Gallons of Gas x Cost Per Gallon)
Total Gas Cost: $_____________
B. Accommodation - Hotel
Your hotel costs $180 per night, and you are staying for 3 nights.
Total Hotel Cost: $_____________
C. Activities - Entertainment
You need to buy tickets for two people for both activities.
- Beauty and the Beast musical tickets: $95 per person.
- Outer Banks TV Set Tour tickets: $55 per person.
Total Activity Cost: $_____________
D. Total Fixed Costs
Add up your costs from sections A, B, and C to find your total fixed costs.
Total Fixed Costs (Gas + Hotel + Activities): $_____________
Part 2: Budgeting for Daily Spending
Now that you know your fixed costs, let's see how much money is left for food, souvenirs, and other fun things!
E. Money Remaining for Food & Fun
Subtract your Total Fixed Costs (D) from your Total Budget.
($2,500 - Total Fixed Costs)
Remaining Money: $_____________
F. Daily Spending Allowance
Divide your Remaining Money (E) by the number of days in your trip (4) to see how much you and your friend can spend each day.
Money Per Day: $_____________
Part 3: Thinking It Through
Answer the following questions based on your budget.
1. Based on your calculations, did you stay within your $2,500 budget? ___________________
2. The daily spending allowance you calculated is for two people. How much is that per person, per day?
$_____________ per person, per day
3. What is one way you could save money on this trip to have more to spend on souvenirs or a fancy dinner?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Answer Key
Part 1: Calculating Your Fixed Costs
A. Total Gas Cost: $140
- 1,200 miles ÷ 30 MPG = 40 gallons
- 40 gallons x $3.50 = $140
B. Total Hotel Cost: $540
- $180 per night x 3 nights = $540
C. Total Activity Cost: $300
- Musical: $95 x 2 people = $190
- Tour: $55 x 2 people = $110
- $190 + $110 = $300
D. Total Fixed Costs: $980
- $140 (Gas) + $540 (Hotel) + $300 (Activities) = $980
Part 2: Budgeting for Daily Spending
E. Remaining Money: $1,520
- $2,500 - $980 = $1,520
F. Money Per Day: $380
- $1,520 ÷ 4 days = $380 per day (for two people)
Part 3: Thinking It Through
1. Yes, the budget works. You have $1,520 left for food and fun after paying for the main expenses.
2. $190 per person, per day ($380 ÷ 2 people).
3. (Sample Answers - other logical answers are acceptable)
- Look for a cheaper hotel or an Airbnb.
- Pack your own snacks and drinks for the car ride.
- Eat at less expensive restaurants for breakfast or lunch.
- Find discount codes or deals for the activity tickets.