Hey y’all! I hope you had a great weekend. Our’s was crazy as usual, but luckily productive! We’re excited for warmer weather which means we can get out of the house more. We are trying to limit expenses though, we have some trips we’d like to take in the next year, so budgeting is a must, which is why I’m here today!
Today, I want to talk about my tips to help you pay for your next vacation. I’ve compiled a short list of tips that should help you determine a budget and budget for a vacation. Take a look!
Plan Purchases + Budget for Travel
Just as you budget for bills, groceries, and savings make travel apart of your regular budget. When you make it a priority, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can save up for a great vacation. Start out small, even if it takes a year or more to save for a small trip, a small trip is more fun than no trip at all!
Also, really think about and plan your purchases. When you are tempted to buy some new home decor piece or pretty top think about your travel goals, and decide if you’d rather put that money towards memories instead.
Limit Eating Out
Eating out and/or that daily coffee or soda can really add up! Here are some numbers to put it into perspective:
1 Soda a Day=$730 a Year=A Round-Trip Plane Ticket!
1 Starbucks a Day=$1460 a Year=A Cruise to Mexico!
Eating Out Twice a Week=$5200=An Amazing All-Inclusive Vacation!
If that doesn’t motivate you to limit eating out, I don’t know what will!
Plan Ahead + Make a Vacation Budget
Plan ahead with your vacation. Decide where you want/can afford to go, plan excursion/tour costs, and additional costs, and make a savings & budget plan to make it happen. When you have a tangible destination and vacation plan in mind, you are more likely to stick to your budget to make the vacation a reality.
Nix Credit Cards
This is a really big one. STOP PAYING CREDIT CARD COMPANIES INTEREST! If you have credit cards, how much interest do you pay a month if you don’t pay them off each month? Odds are it’s $50, $100 a month. That really adds up, and can quickly get you a vacation. If you must use credit cards, get one that will gain you cash back or airline miles, and pay them off each month to avoid interest charges. Be sure to pay attention to annual fees as well.
Work with a Travel Agent
Why? Travel agents, like myself, can help you create a vacation budget, and help you determine what is attainable for you. Let your agent know your must haves, things/places to avoid, and your ideal budget. If you don’t know, be honest! We’ll work with you to figure it out. There are so many options available in many different budgets, so don’t think you right off that bat that a vacation isn’t for you.
As travel agents, we can also help you set up with a payment plan. If you aren’t a great saver, or if it would help you to stick to your vacation goal, a payment plan is a great option!
What do you think? Can believe how the eating out costs add up!?!
Do you have any other tips of your own that help you plan for a vacation or particular goal you have? I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I’ll see you back later this week.
