Make it Happen: Your Dream Vacation
If you’re anything like me, traveling is at the very top of your bucket list. There is so much world to see, I don’t want to be confined to this small town in Missouri. However, seeing the world comes with a hefty price tag. Don’t let money stop you from going on your dream vacation. Here are some tips and tricks to make it happen without breaking your piggy bank.
Set a Price Point
There are a trillion and one price points for vacations. You could go on a luxurious stay in Tahiti for thousands of dollars, or you can get a cheap hotel in Florida for a few hundred. It all depends on what you plan to save. So what is your price point? Knowing this will make it easier while creating your budget, because you’ll know what places you can afford.
Budget, Budget, Budget!
Budgeting is very important when you’re about to spend a big chunk of money. Make sure you know how much you’ll need for lodging, food, airfare, rental car, excursions, etc. Setting this up in advance will make the financial part of your trip much easier in the long run. Fun fact, there are vacation budget templets on Google, so it’s as simple as that!
What Will it Take to Save?
After budgeting, you know the big dollar amount you’ll be needing to stash away. My suggestion: divide the cost of the trip by the months until you’re leaving. For example, if my trip is $3,000 and I’m leaving 6 months from now, I should save $500 per month. For a little extra cash, you could save a few bucks a month on top of that. Also, if you’re like me and always want to spend money, create a separate savings account at your Credit Union. Think of it as a bill you absolutely have to pay each month and don’t touch it!
Have an Extra Income!
Think about getting a small part time job until your trip. This could help you save a few more dollars, and potentially use for future trips as well! If you’re too busy for that, have a garage sale! Go through your house and find things you don’t use anymore (I know you have a least a couple). This could help with a small portion of the expenses.
Actually Stick to Your Budget
Don’t let your dream vacation put you in a bad spot financially. Make your budget, and stick to it. If you’re worried you’ll spend a little too much, start saving a month earlier and use that money as a “cushion fund”.
Enjoy!
If you stuck to your budget, and worked hard for your savings, enjoy your dream vacation! It will feel much better when you’re lying on the beach or hiking a beautiful mountain top knowing your finances are all in order.
For information about saving accounts visit us at our website and use our budgeting tool to kick-start your dream vacation budget!
