Vacations are something to look forward to. But as we all know, they can cost a lot of money.

So, if you've made a point to budget a certain amount for that trip, you want to stay on target and stay as stress-free as possible.

SmarterTravel.com made a list of "Nine secrets to a Happy Vacation," and they mostly revolve around planning ahead of time. When you do, you can save and be less stressed because you're not surprised by fees or charges that you didn't account for as you booked your trip.

Here are three things to consider before you leave:

• Read up on your airline's baggage policy so you can budget for fees. They may have changed since the last time you flew.

• Plan for how you'll get around while you're at the destination. Taking a taxi, compared with public transportation or walking, can make a big difference to your wallet.

• Since you're spending all that money on a vacation, it can be an investment. So, consider protecting it with travel insurance.

"Really think about something like travel insurance at the time of purchase, because you're thinking about money," said Anne Banas, executive editor for SmarterTravel.com.

What else do you make sure to budget for when you travel? Send a tweet to @stacia_naquin. Watch for more consumer stories and headlines on "12 News Today" from 5 to 7 a.m. Monday-Friday.

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