Saving for Vacation | Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit

If you are spending your days staring at the window and dreaming about being somewhere else—well, that is a good sign it is time for a vacation! There are far fewer things better than stepping away from life and allowing yourself complete freedom to do anything you want, even for just a little while.

Vacations can recharge our batteries and remind us of the everyday blessings we can sometimes get too caught up in the drudgery to see.

Vacations are great, of course…but if you saddle yourself with a bunch of bills in order to take one, reality can hit you incredibly hard when the fun is over. With a little pre-planning financially, though, you can save for any locale near or far and truly go with the freedom of knowing you won’t have to sell your blood when you get home to pay for it all.

Create A Vacation Budget

When it comes to all things financial, advanced planning is the way to go. There will always be expenses you can’t account for, but the earlier you start thinking about travel costs, the more prepared you will be.

Start by setting a goal. Are you saving for one specific trip, or do you have enough of the travel bug to create a separate account you can build over time to meet your heart’s desire? Once you have created a goal, take a look at your budget and create a target amount that you can set aside weekly or monthly in order to reach your travel goal.

Create a separate budget for each specific trip. Price out places to stay, flights, rental cars and any entertainment that requires entry fees.

Think about how you will eat, too. For many, food can be a driving factor in where and when they travel, but for others, it may be a mere necessity. If you plan to eat extravagantly, budget for it. If you plan to buy groceries and cook simple meals each night, budget for it.

Budgeting works when you are intentional about it, and it can make your trip that much less stressful when you have planned as much as possible.

Saving While on Vacation

Pre-planning and setting aside money for your trip before you ever leave is a great way to travel with fewer worries on your mind, but when it comes to traveling, you should expect the unexpected. Vacations should be an adventure after all, but with a few money-saving tips you can use while you travel, you can enjoy your adventure without blowing your budget.

If you have a flexible schedule, travel in whatever is considered the offseason where you are going. Most places lower their costs to account for reduced business, and without the additional crowds, you might be able to fit even more excitement into your days. Research your location beforehand and look for last-minute deals, as well as free entertainment that might be available to you.

If food isn’t one of your main travel draws, shop local grocery stores when you get to where you are going. Even if cooking every night sounds like less than a vacation, stock up on snacks to keep bellies happy until you can have the mind-blowing meal you have been dreaming of. Another great way to save no matter where you are eating—skip the fancy drinks. Pick up some local brews as a souvenir to bring home, or hit a soda shop and grab bottled versions.

Vacation your way, whatever that way is, and do it without coming home to a pile of bills you are scared to open. Plan financially and let your worries melt away.

Ready to learn more ways to take care of your finances? Contact us to find out everything we can do for you.