Preparing for a trip abroad generates a lot of anxiety, especially if you've never left the country before. You're probably still getting over the stress of not being able to smile in your passport photo, and realizing you won't have unlimited data to snap everyone about how cool and worldly you are with a pout on your face. Take this from a seasoned nomad--you will certainly forget some very obvious necessities, and that is OK. America isn't the only place in the world that sells conditioner, and if you forget your rain jacket just be excited to have an excuse to treat yo' self. However, in efforts to make these excess expenses as minute as possible, keep these seven things in mind while preparing for your journey.

1. Budget your trip wisely.

The single most stressful thing about traveling to any destination is that everything costs money. From the round trip plane ticket and accommodation, to needing funds for all of the savory tastes and trinkets of your destination, you'll need to be prepared for anything. While saving funds and making budgets, keep in mind the currency that you will need to exchange your US dollars for and the exchange rate between the currencies.

The most important expenses are your transportation and your hotel/hostel fees. If nothing else is set in stone before you walk out of your house, these need to be. Additionally, that extra $10-$20 for travelers insurance goes a long way in case of emergency and make sure you are aware of cancellation refund policies and fees for the places you plan on staying.

Last but not least, make sure you have a decent amount of funds for souvenirs whether you plan on bringing a piece of the world back for your family and friends or you just want a few postcards for the scrapbook. It's easy to get carried away when you're in a place that has unique trinkets and memorabilia that you can't find at home.

2. Make plans, but don't over-plan.

I cannot stress this enough. If there is anything I've learned from family vacations and trying to fit absolutely everyone's entire bucket list on the itinerary, it is this. Make sure that everyone involved gets to see their top one or two choices, but don't try to cram everything in. Too many activities means less time to soak in the scenery and enjoy the adventures. You want to enjoy your journey to the fullest, and rushing through to pack everything in is a surefire way to need a vacation from your vacation when you return.

If you have three tours that last four hours each with seven minutes to get to each one, there is absolutely no time for unexpected stops, delays, and major crises. If you pass a cute little shop with something you cannot live without, you better get over it quickly and live without it anyways because you're already 30 seconds from missing the most haunted places in the city tour bus. Allow plenty of time to see the entire museum and leave gaps in your schedule for suggestions you get from your new local friends sitting next to you on the train. Save yourself and leave room to enjoy the moment.

3. Invest in an international phone plan.

This one is really a matter of preference, but I feel much safer being able to text my loved ones back home so that they know I'm alive and I can still get pictures of my dog from five-thousand miles away. There's no reason to pay an arm and a leg for the biggest plan, you can use the Wi-Fi at the hotel at the end of the day to post your Instagram and Facebook photos. Not having Snapchat at all hours of the day will give you no choice but to live in the moment. However, being able to text your family back home will give you the opportunity to take them on vacation with you in spirit (without having to let them choose the activities) and they will feel safer knowing that you're alive and well. That being said, know the limits to the plan that you choose so you don't come home to crazy fees for going over your international data plan--20 cents per megabyte adds up really quickly.

4. Create a rough itinerary for everyone waiting for you back home.

While it is important to stay away from a rigid schedule, you'll always know the general area of each day as you need to have a place to stay in advance. Leave your family the name of the city or potential activities during each part of your trip and the hotel's contact information. Hopefully, these things won't be necessary; but in case of emergency, on either side of the globe the lines of communication will be open enough. If your family sees a horrific event on the news and doesn't even know what countries you're visiting, they'll age at least 20 years each hour they don't hear from you.

5. Pack as lightly as possible.

Leaving the place where all of your belongings are conveniently organized in one place can be a severely stressful situation, even for those who are the farthest thing from homebodies. The list of hypothetical crisis start piling up in your head, and suddenly you're planning for a blizzard on the coast of Mexico in late July. Trust me, when it comes to everything--except fresh socks, underwear and t-shirts--less is more and if you're anything like me, you'll end up wearing your favorite pair of jeans at least five times.

If you're traveling for an extended period of time then planning on checking a bag. There are two very important things to remember concerning this: use the lightest suitcase possible and weigh it when it's packed before you leave. If your bag is over 50 pounds, the extra fee will put a serious damper on your souvenir fund. So packing light as well as using a lightweight piece of luggage will make all the difference. Be sure to weigh your packed bag before your departure with a few pounds of leeway--especially if you are using a bathroom scale. If you want a more accurate number, your local train station will often have a scale that you can use for free!

Be aware of the climate and weather patterns for the season wherever you are traveling, and pack accordingly. It's safe to always keep a light jacket regardless of your destination to have in cold restaurants, museums, or theaters. It's likely that a destination abroad will not use the same wall plug-ins, so be sure to invest in an adapter before leaving as well.

6. Clear up space in your phone and camera.

There's next to nothing more heartbreaking than deleting precious memories because you've run out of space. Back up all of the devices that you plan on taking and clear them out in order to maximize the number of photos you can take!

Be prepared to take ALL of the photos. You can delete blurry and undesirable images at the end of each day or once you've returned from your trip. But you can never go back to the same moment in time and recapture it. Even if you aren't searching for the perfect Instagram photo, seriously consider snapping a few of your favorite moments and forking over small change for post cards. That being said, don't miss out on your own adventures because you're stuck behind your lens! Snap away and don't spend too much time reviewing your photos while on the go. Balance is key.

7. Wrap up any obligations before you leave home.

Coming home from vacation to a messy apartment, a mile-long to do list, and piles of unfinished business can seriously kill your post-vacation vibes. The point of taking a vacation in the first place is lost if you're immediately immersed in stress the moment you return. Take care of bills, emails, assignments and other obligations before taking off so you can enjoy revisiting your photos and relax before returning to work. Make sure there is someone to take care of your beloved fur babies, and clean your house, apartment, or room before your departure. It may be overwhelming at the time, but your future self will thank you for being proactive and taking care of business.