Saving For The Family Vacation
A family vacation is always a time to create special memories. Unfortunately, it seems like fewer families take vacations. Between work schedules and finances, it is difficult, but it isn't impossible. With some creativity and planning, your family can have a wonderful vacation.
First, select the destination and duration, so you can start to plan the cost. Are you going to stay close to home? Or visit somewhere out of state? Both can be great vacations, but you have to keep your budget in mind. Are you going for a long weekend? A week? Longer? All these factors will determine how much money you will need and time off from work will be needed.
If both parents work, it can be tricky to get vacation time at the same time, but if you select a time that's "off season", not only will you have a better chance of getting your requested time off, but you can save a bundle on vacation expenses. Many places offer off-season discounts, which can be sizeable. Take advantage of trusted on-line travel sites that might offer special package deals that would save you money.
Once you know where, when and for how long, how much is it going to cost? Figure out how much you'll have to set back each week toward the vacation expenses. Are there little things you can cut out to put in the fund? Fewer trips to the fast food places, cups of designer coffee, or other splurges can make a huge difference in the budget. Another way to add to the vacation fund is to have a garage sale. Not only will you earn some extra cash, you will clear out some of that stuff that's been cluttering up the house. Make it a family project, with everyone donating things for the sale.
There are a few ways to organize the money you are saving, to help make it harder to spend. Set up a separate account at the bank, something like a Christmas fund can be used, or even just another checking account. Many banks have no frill checking accounts that require no minimum balance and a low amount needed to open the account. Pre-paid debit cards can also be a great way to save money. Activate the card, add funds to it weekly and tuck them away in a fire safety box, or someone else that isn't accessed all the time until your vacation. If you have the money split between the cards, you can designate one toward food, one toward lodging, another toward travel expenses, etc, so you can keep track of your budget.
Before you know it, you'll be home from your vacation, looking at all the pictures and reliving the memories.
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