6 Steps to Saving Money for Vacations

I am all about summer vacations, but I am also all about saving money for vacations, and not just using our credit cards. (unless you have money to pay it right off.) This last year we have been teaching our kids to save money along with us. A couple of years ago I made a cute jar {mason jar} with stickers on it that said “Disneyland Jar”.  We have since upgraded the jar to this coconut oil container, and since then I have made it super cute with Disney vinyl and stickers all over it!

Dave Ramsey talks a lot about how people think they deserve a vacation even if they don’t have the money, so they go on these big ginormous vacations and put it on their credit card in hopes to pay it off when they get their tax return or when they win the lottery :). I know I feel like that sometimes, like my husband has been working his booty off and we all need to get away and go on a fun expensive vacation. What Dave recommends is saving up for your big trips, and if you need a vacation but don’t have enough money, do something more like a Staycation, or wait and start saving money for vacations and then make them happen. I have found that even $50 to $100 a month adds a quickly and we can do something pretty fun as a family!!

Saving Money for Vacations

Now if you have saved enough to go on a fun summer vacation, why not still be frugal.  A while back I wrote about a book I have been reading called Live your Life for Half the Price.  It is a great book!  In it there is a chapter all about saving money for summer vacations.  Here are a few things they suggest mixed in with my own opinion!

• The first thing they suggest if you are going on a big vacation is to make a Plan.  That sounds easy, but not just any plan like where you are going and what you are going to do, but also how much you are going to spend at each place you visit. Also think about what you might want to buy there and if you our kids get to spend money there or not.
• Second, make a budget.  I know, for those that hate budgets I am sorry, but I think you will enjoy the trip more if you planned out lodging, food, activities. They also suggest that since you might spend more than you anticipated add 10% to what you think it might cost.
• Third, look for deals.  There are a ton of discounted deals online all the time for where ever you want to go.  Check out Hotels.com, Tripadvisor.com, Expedia.com,  and one that I recently heard of that is one of the best is Kayak.com {they do a broad search of all the sites}.
• Forth, Negotiate, Haggle and Barter.  I didn’t realize this is something you can do anywhere you go, but you can.  If something is not being used and you ask for a discount most of the time they will accept.  It never hurts to ask for a discount.  They might say no, but at least you tried.
• Fifth, Borrow or Rent.   If you need any sort of equipment to go on your trip, consider borrowing or most likely renting it.  RV’s, Boats, Four Wheelers can get quite expensive, but renting them isn’t to bad.
• Last, Prepare.  Make sure you  save money for the things you might not expect.  Check the weather, have first aid kits, sunblock, umbrellas, jumper cables, water, and food.

Happy Vacationing.  I hope this post helps when it comes to Saving Money for Vacations! Come back next where where I will share 10 fun ideas for planning your summer vacation!!

Are you planning a summer vacation this year?