The bitter cold hits your face; you brace for the next blast. You wrap your scarf tightly around your head in an effort to keep in what little warmth you can find as you trudge through the icy snow. Your mind drifts to thoughts of splashing around in the water in the warm, summer sun, but your vacation is so far away. Is it really? It isn’t when it comes to saving for your trip! It’s never too early to start saving for your next vacation, and the more you save, the more you can do. With a few small changes, you can have a lot saved for some fun in the sun.
You probably already have a destination in mind, so begin with a little research on costs, and set a realistic goal for yourself. Keep in mind that you’ll undoubtedly face some financial emergencies throughout the year such as car or appliance repairs or replacement, and you don’t want to have to dip into your vacation fund for these costs.
Begin with the following tips to start saving today.
Be sure that any money you save, such as the cost of your morning coffee or money from coupon apps, gets added to your vacation savings account. Keep it fun and get the whole family involved in tossing their change into the jar or selling some stuff. Make a thermometer on a piece of poster board to track your progress and fill it in as your fund grows. Alternatively, consider making it relate to your trip, such as an airplane tracking your progress as it flies from your home to your destination. By making it fun for everyone, your whole family will be excited all year long for your vacation. It may be a little work now, but imagine all the fun you’ll have when you can take a fun, relaxing vacation without worrying about going into debt.
