US Summer Spending Spike Fuels Travel Costs and Budget Advice

A PwC survey of roughly 2,000 American adults found that many plan to spend over $2,800 on travel this summer, while a 2025 Savings.com poll reported that 35% of parents consider summer the most expensive season. Wealth advisors such as Jonathon Merickel of Savvy Wealth and Sammie Guajardo of Facet stress the importance of tracking discretionary expenses – from patio drinks to spontaneous trips – to prevent “summer spending creep” from derailing savings goals.

At the same time, Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List highlighted affordable island destinations that could attract budget‑conscious travelers. The list named St. Lucia as the top spot, followed by Portugal’s Porto Santo and the Seychelles’ Praslin Island. Two U.S. islands also made the top ten, underscoring that even as travel costs have risen since 2025 – prompting 52% of frequent flyers to postpone trips – there remain cost‑friendly options for summer vacations.