Budgeting

So this blog I wanted to talk about something very important. Money!!! When you leave the country especially in Latin America you will find that a lot of things are cheaper than in the States. This is ture, however, when things are cheaper people tend to spend more than they realize. Before you leave the country have a budget, a set amount of money you are allowed to spend each month. I think it is important to allow more spending in your first month and last month. I say first month because you are in a new place and depending if you are going with a program you will most likely go on tours and historically sites where shopping is going to be the first thing on your mind. I also say more money in the last month because once it scomes time to leave you are going to go shopping crazy for family members at home. Also the airports may charge you more for extra luggage if you accumlated any. Some airports such as in Ecuador charge a 26 dollar service fee. They charge 400 dollars for each extra luggage for international flights, so knowing in advance the airport rules will help in advance on what it is going to cost to go home. Budget is important because it would be crazy to say you are not going to spend anything. You will find yourself gooing to the beach, hanging out with friends in a different city anything is possible when studying abroad. Always follow your budget trust it is easier said then done when your friends are all doing something and you know it is going to cut into your budget its sstill kind of herad to say no. Some of the international students are here with no money and in my opinion that is dangerous because anything can happen. Another IMPORTANT thing to keep in mind no matter where you are studying abroad at NEVER NEVER have too much money on you. I have a friend who is studying abroad here and she was robbed. She lost all her money. Keep credit cards at home. People think they are not going to get robbed but you have to keep in mind everything is unfamilar to you and what may look like a guy tripping and dropping his papers is really a distraction while his friend grabs your things. It can happen to you and you have to think like that at all times. Well this was just a lesson on budgeting and staying safe.