This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for using the Travel Budget Planner calculator to estimate your trip costs in both the destination currency and Naira (₦).

Part 1: Initial Setup and Exchange Rates (Automatic)

The calculator first loads essential real-time financial data.

Step 1: Wait for Exchange Rates to Load

• Action: Wait for the “Loading exchange rates…” status to change.
• Check: The Live Exchange Rates (vs ₦) section displays four key currency rates (USD, GBP, EUR, CAD) against the Naira.
• Result: The status text confirms the last update time.

Part 2: Enter Trip Details

Use the Trip Details card to define the core parameters of your vacation.

Step 2: Select Destination

• Action: Click the Destination dropdown menu.
• Input: Select your desired country from the list (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Ghana). This automatically sets the foreign currency for your budget.

Step 3: Set Duration

• Action: Enter the number of days for your trip in the Trip Duration (Days) field.
• Input: Use whole numbers (e.g., 7, 14, 3).

Step 4: Choose Travel Style

• Action: Select your preferred Travel Style from the dropdown.
• Options:
  • Budget (Hustle): For minimal spending.
  • Moderate (Balanced): The default, for average comfort.
  • Luxury (Balling): For premium services and experiences.

Step 5: Review Autofill and Proceed

• Action: After selecting all three fields, the calculator automatically suggests budget figures and reveals the input forms.
• Result: The Budget Categories and Calculate My Budget button appear.

Part 3: Customize Budget Categories (Input)

Review and modify the suggested costs in the destination’s foreign currency (e.g., USD, GBP, EUR). All inputs here are in the foreign currency.

Step 6: Update Flights & Transport

• Input: Adjust the round-trip Flight Cost (one-time expense).
• Input: Adjust the Airport Transfers cost (one-time expense).
• Input: Adjust the Local Transport (per day) cost. This figure is multiplied by the trip duration.

Step 7: Update Accommodation

• Input: Adjust the Hotel/Airbnb (per night) cost.
• Check: The calculator automatically updates the Total nights and the Total accommodation cost displayed below the input field.

Step 8: Update Food & Dining (Per Day)

• Input: Adjust the daily costs for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. These figures are summed and multiplied by the trip duration.

Step 9: Update Activities & Fun

• Input: Adjust the total expected cost for Tours & Activities (one-time total).
• Input: Adjust the total amount for Shopping & Souvenirs (one-time total).
• Note: The Emergency Buffer (20%) field is automatically calculated and cannot be changed manually.

Part 4: Calculate and Review Results (Output)

Step 10: Calculate the Budget

• Action: Click the large Calculate My Budget 💰 button.
• Result: The Results Section appears, and the input sections hide.

Step 11: Review Total Budget

• Output: The TOTAL TRIP BUDGET is displayed prominently.
• Naira Total: Shows the total cost in ₦ (Naira).
• Foreign Total: Shows the total cost in the destination’s currency (e.g., $0.00).
• Rate Confirmation: The current exchange rate used for the calculation is shown below the totals.

Step 12: Analyze Breakdown

• Output: The Budget Breakdown shows the cost for each major category (Transport, Accommodation, Food, Fun, Buffer) as a total amount and a percentage of the overall budget.
• Output: Review the Per Day Budget, Per Person (if splitting), and Emergency Buffer values.

Step 13: Utilize Action Items

• Action: Use the Print Budget Plan button to create a hard copy.
• Action: Use the Plan New Trip button to clear the inputs and start a new calculation.