While we love to celebrate the joys of the holidays, it can become expensive, especially if you plan to travel to see family or take a much-needed vacation. But even though your wallet is worn out, we still have some ideas on ways you can have your vacation without breaking the bank.
Plan ahead…like, really ahead
If you are hoping to visit the home of the Mouse or some other special theme park, it’s a good idea to plan your stay as far in advance as possible. Not only will you have more time to save, but you are also much more likely to get a good deal and stretch your budget a little further. And then you can post daily countdowns on social media—that alone makes the planning fun.
Get a travel agent
Did you know that a lot of travel agents don’t charge you for their services? Many of them get paid directly by the companies they work for when you book through them, so using a travel agent is a win-win for all parties involved. A travel agent can also help you make sure you don’t overspend and give you some tips and tricks for getting better deals for your stay—along with the hot gossip on which restaurants you shouldn’t skip and which ones are actually overrated.
Make it a family affair
If you have kids who earn money through a job or chores, this is a great opportunity to encourage them to save up their pennies to get a souvenir or to enjoy a fun outing. You can even offer to match what they make if they reach a certain goal, which means your expenses are halved for their souvenirs and they will be motivated to save some funds for your trip. Another win-win—we like those.
Create a visual reminder or goal
Have you ever noticed that companies often make a visual representation of the money they have received for a fundraiser? You might see a thermometer drawing filled in as the money is donated or a graphic that changes every time a donation is received. Companies do this because it works: having a visual reminder, especially one that shows how just a few extra dollars would meet the goal, is a powerful way to motivate people to give. This can work for your family, too—set a goal for your vacation fund and make a chart that you fill in as more and more funds are added.
Spare some change
Find a clear container (a soda bottle works well), set it on your kitchen counter, and designate it as the Official Spare Change Vacation fund. Then ask everyone in your family to drop some dollars or coins in the container when they have a little extra cash on them. A few dollars at a time may not seem like a lot, but that money can add up quickly. A four-person family could raise a few hundred dollars in a year if everyone donated about $10 to the vacation each month—and that money can go right back to your vacation, maybe for a fun experience or a couple of great dinners out. Georgia’s Own even offers savings accounts that everyone can contribute to, so you can store your hard-earned vacation savings in a secure location.
Find the right app
There are tons of great apps out there that can help you save a little extra here and there to create the right vacation budget for your family. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Mint: This app gets bonus points for not only using your info to create a budget for saving, but also tracking your credit score in case you need that info, too.
- Groupon: Yes, this one is still alive and kicking—and it’s got some great deals. Use this app to help you find coupons for purchases you hope to make in the future.
- Ibotta: This app has gained popularity over the years, and is a great way to get some money back on the purchases you make—which is especially useful at this time of year.
If your dream vacation seems too expensive, don’t give up—instead, get busy following some of these tips to make your dream come true. You might be months or years away from taking the vacation you want, but having the funds to enjoy your vacation is definitely worth the wait.
Don’t have an account to store your vacation savings? Georgia’s Own offers vacation savings accounts, so you can watch your money grow and take your dream vacation in no time. Click here to open a savings account today.
