My reality; I’m always planning for the next vacation. I’m happier, more fulfilled, dare I say it, a better Mother when I’m in the midst of planning or at least dreaming about that next vacation. That is my happy place. It doesn’t have to be grand and glorious, it just has to be some kind of time carved out with my overscheduled, overworked, ridiculously busy family. We work hard and we play hard. It seems fair. One way we make those summer plans work? By keeping expectations in check and a few money-saving tips in mind to make the most of our vacation budget. Here are my secret money-saving tips and tricks to help you make the most of your vacation budget:
Set A Budget. Figure out what you wish to spend, what you can realistically afford, and go from there.
Have a vacation fund and plan ahead. As little as $166 a month adds up to nearly $2,000 at the end of the year.
Boost your vacation fund by getting creative. Start a loose change jar. All the couch cushion money and change you find around the house goes in there. Have a garage sale and put all those funds towards that summer vacation.
Redirect. If you have paid off a credit card or loan recently, temporarily re-direct the money you were using to pay that into your vacation fund.
Consider the timing. Trips around a long holiday weekend may cost more. Hotels charge more on holiday weekends and gas prices have the tendency to skyrocket.
Be strategic when booking flights. Do your research before booking that flight. Search online for recommendations for the best times to book to your destination and watch for seat sales.
Utilize the grocery store. If your summer plans have you staying in a hotel, it still makes sense to make a trip to a grocery store to stock up on bottled water and snacks. These store-bought snacks will likely be far cheaper than hotel or convenience store prices.
Share your trip with family or friends. Heading to Florida, the Caribbean or a cottage up north? Consider renting a vacation home and splitting the cost with another family.
Do some research. Take advantage of any free tours, museums, and attractions your destination may have.
Get online for free. Find free wi-fi in your vacation spot; it is often offered at hotels and local coffee shops.
Pet Swap. Lots of families travel over the summer. Consider doing a pet-sitting swap with a friend or family member you know and trust and save the cost of a kennel.
Avoid expensive roadside stops. If you are driving to your vacation destination, pack a cooler full of healthy snacks and drinks so you aren’t sucked into over-spending on the road.
Planning for that summer vacation doesn’t have to be stressful or break the bank. Create a plan, stick to it, and enjoy your trip!
Happy Planning!
Fantastic, definitely spend only when I need to.
Love this post – Simple Tips To Help You Save For Your Next Vacation. It’s been awhile since I’ve planned a trip but now I’m going to set aside a budget and start saving for next years vacation.
I must admit that I enjoy the planning of a trip quite a bit! These tips are so necessary to make to a smooth process.
I really need to work harder at the set a budget goal. I am pretty good about it but sometimes I stray a little too much!
Great post! We have a cat that definitely does not like being boarded. I’ve never considered a pet swapping situation. Thank you for the tips!
These are great tips for holiday travel that I will definitely keep in mind the next time we take a trip.
Setting a budget is a must for me when planning trips.
Love the tips. I am SO STRATEGIC when booking flights! lol
I really like the redirect idea. I’m always keen to trick myself into doing something responsible :0
I save up my points on cards such a Canadian Tire money etc…to help with buying gas or use my points from various Hotel rewards to save on overnight stays…. all your tips are great and we also use some of them too. I will pack snacks and have an electric cooler that plugs into a car outlet to keep water, drinks and food cool and fresh to take along.
Thanks for the helpful tips that I will keep in mind as we plan for our next vacation. I like the tip of saving for a nice vacation and having the money planned ahead for it.
These are some good tips. We are trying to save for a family vacation at present so I can put several of these in action.
Thank you for the tips. I like the idea of the pet swap.
I also like to save my points from my credit card use and take advantage of them when booking a trip.
We are caregivers and I also worry about our 2 dogs. Thank you for the tips, we sure could use a vacay! 🙂