Everyone needs a vacation once in a while. It doesn’t have to be every year, although this is certainly something to aim for, but you should take a longer break from normal life every few years at the very least.
The problem is that although this is certainly something many people want to do, it’s not always affordable. Vacations cost a lot of money, even those that are what might be termed ‘staycations’ where you don’t travel outside your own area. If you factor into this the cost of a flight and accommodation for more distant travels, you’ll see that it can quickly add up.
It’s not impossible to enjoy a vacation, though, no matter how much money you might have or make. If you save carefully, it can be done. Here are some ways you can save for a vacation to ensure you have the best time possible.
Have a Target
One of the biggest problems people find when they are saving is that they don’t know exactly how much they are meant to put away and what their ultimate goal really is. If this is the case, it’s easy for them to take money out once in a while (or even fairly regularly) because they don’t feel they are close to having enough for whatever it is they want. The reality, of course, is that they might be just pennies away from what they need, and they just don’t know about it.
This is why it’s important to have a target to save towards. Enjoy some time working out exactly how much your vacation is going to cost. This is a fun exercise anyway, but when there is a reason behind it, it’s even better. When you know precisely how much you’re going to have to pay, you’ll be able to save more easily and reach your target quicker. Plus, you’ll be less tempted to spend that money.
Cut Costs Elsewhere
Knowing that you have to save money for a vacation is one thing, but it can be hard to find the extra money you need to put enough away to have the right amount when the time comes to book. This is especially true if you usually live paycheck to paycheck.
The good news is that even if it takes a long time, the smallest amount of money saved in one place can go towards your vacation. So, you might want to look at cutting your subscriptions, meal planning to prevent food waste, walking instead of driving, or looking for coupons to save on everyday costs. You can even use coupons to make your vacation cost less; a Priority Pass coupon code is a great example.
Automate Your Savings
Perhaps it’s not the amount of money you have to save that’s the issue; it’s the fact that you have to do it at all. If you’re not used to putting money away each week or month, you might accidentally spend it before you realize that it wasn’t really meant to be spent. The more often you do this, the less you’ll be able to save.
This is why it’s a good idea to automate the savings process. By setting up an automatic payment on the day you usually get paid, for example, you won’t even miss the money because it will go out right away. Make sure it’s an amount that works both in terms of your savings goal and your other financial commitments; you don’t want to leave yourself without enough money because you’ll have to dip into your vacation fund, and that can quickly become a habit.
