nmsumath210m20

Math and Travel or Tourism Summary

 

 

 

 

 

          Being a college student, traveling isn’t exactly at the top of the to-do list. However, when we do get a chance to get away whether it is on a spring break vacation under the Mexican sun or a the cheapest ski trip with friends in mountains of Colorado, we seem to have one problem, that may occur: Money. We have all found ways one time or another to pick up extra shifts at work, take out an extra loan or gather as many people to split the cost of one hotel room. Yet, it may be uncomfortable; we tend not to care, why? Well, because it’s cheap.

            I chose this topic, because I have been fortunate to be able to enjoy trips to Mexico, road trip to California and of course Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though towards the first day of the trip I am still scramming up enough to split the cost of gas or the necessities, in which we all know what it is…(partying). I feel that in college we have to try to have as much fun as possible, yet be responsible with our money and of course ourselves.

            I bet most of us never really think about mathematics when we are counting our money, or making deposits of our checks. I know when I’m purchasing a meal on vacation, I’m not thinking of the tax, if there is any, or how much I have divided my total costs on a four day vacation. What is really going on is what drink I will have with my dinner, no matter the cost.

            So under these circumstances, I would count my cash in my purse and probably pull out a stack of hundred dollar bills (not really), probably a couple twenties and put it back. I would say this is the correct amount to carry on cash and the rest with traveler’s checks or ATM cards. This will not only help with the budget, since cash is easy to just give, but it will also keep you in safety in terms of having security of your money.

            Some countries do carry your banks ATM around foreign areas and that is a plus, however, you want to make sure if you were to lose it, you would be able to obtain money no matter what.

            Anyhow, the important thing is to try to make a budget with the amount your taking that way, you have enough money to buy one last meal on your way home, or even more important gas money.

            Here are some ways to look at it. If you were traveling to Rocky Pointe, Mexico and the rooms were $70 a night and you were staying for 3, the total cost of the room itself is $210, plus tax. You are going with 5 friends and splitting it at cost. Which would turn out to be $42, plus the tax, so you’re looking at $45-50? This I should mention would be at American Cost and the purchases made there would then be different due to the currency. If you all would purchase cases of bottled water, snacks you would be able to save on money while you are down there as well. Then you would have to figure, that each day you would probably enjoy a Mexican feast and while your at it a couple margaritas, that would cost you around $15-20, multiply that by 3 days and you range from an average of $50 just on 3 meals while you are there. That is just another $50 thrown away, that didn’t include breakfast or lunch. There will also be times when one friend received extra money from mommy and daddy and want to shop at the Mercado, of course, you don’t want to them to go by themselves, so you tag along and find interest in some jewelry or whatever it may be. On average that is another $30-$40 spent on one day.

            Once the evening comes around everyone is dressed for the formal occasion of outside bars, the cover charge is $10, which isn’t bad, but if you’re a guy, there’s a girl in there who looking for some drinks, in which you “un-intentionally” volunteer to buy and we all know under the influence, we can wake up with maybe $1 and not know how, when or why you spent your nightly cash and it’s only the first night. By now you have spent an average of $200 on board, meals, drinks and fun stuff. So now, you know it’s time to budget. This is where the math comes in, you are there for two more nights and only have $150 left, now what you do with it, is your choice, but when your friends car runs out of gas, or have to stay one more night, is when you put $50 in a safe place and do what you can with the $100.

            With this, I tried to set up an example of how trips like this or any kind can be easily be at ease without getting too excited about the trip and not the responsibility of your money. Don’t forget, you have those bills you have to pay off when you get back and we all know we don’t like the math in that, plus the sun is officially out and the semester isn’t over.