Here's How Dealing With Money Matters On Group Vacations Can Be An Easy Task

Vacations are times to kick back and relax, but getaways can also be a source of friction among families, friends or couples, as back-seat driving or paying restaurant bills cause tempers to fray.

Here are a few tips from Sonia Prades, a psychologist specializing in family relationships, on how to ensure a stress-free summer break.

Keep a kitty for the big things

It's better to decide in advance how you're going to share major expenses such as accommodation costs, transport and food. Make sure you discuss that before you leave so that everyone knows what to expect. Once at your destination, start a common pool for groceries, snacks and other day-to-day items and ask everyone to put in the same amount of money. Exceptions can obviously be made for people who don't drink alcohol, for example, as they shouldn't have to contribute to everyone else's booze budget.

Be clear on whether you're splitting the bill

The very idea of eating out is something that can be discussed and agreed on beforehand. Once you've paid for the accommodation, groceries and a few activities, you should decide whether it's still possible to dine in a restaurant during the trip. If so, then money matters should be discussed with the group prior to heading out. It's often when the same people end up paying much more than others that tensions can arise.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to eating out. Either the bill is split into equal parts for all diners regardless of what they ate, or diners pay individually for each item they ordered. Some prefer the latter option on principle, whereas for others it's a question of budgeting and saving money. It's a good idea to "redefine the rules with each restaurant trip." If you're going to stick to one or two big meals out, then it could be worth keeping things collective, even if the bill ends up a bit higher than expected for some diners. It also depends on the type of restaurant. It makes more sense to split the bill when grabbing a quick salad or a pizza, as everyone will order more or less the same thing. However, respect the revenues and budgets of others in the group and try to make sure some diners don't end up

shelling out for way more than they ordered.

Each to their own for activities

Not everyone will have the same budget or the same expectations when it comes to vacation activities. Everyone should feel free to enjoy the getaway within their means. So if there's one time when budgets should definitely be kept separate, it's for activities. To avoid tensions and frustrations, the group should discuss ideas and reject certain options collectively. Plus, don't hesitate to split up into smaller groups for different activities.