Time Is Running Out: How To Save For Summer Vacation
Summer vacation season is edging closer with every passing day. When was the last time you took a family vacation? If you don’t have the money saved, here are ideas for how you might make it happen anyway.
Create A Plan - First things first. You need a vision and a goal. Know where you want to go and what it will cost. Research your destination and estimate cost of lodging, food, transportation and incidentals so you have a financial goal to work toward.
Focus On A Vision - It’s easier to convince yourself to make sacrifices and much easier to convince your family to get on board if you all know what you are working toward. Talk as a group about how amazing it will be to feel sand between your toes. Incorporate these topics into daily conversations and get into the habit of asking questions before you spend. Would you rather order takeout tonight or have gasoline for your beach trip?
Sell Some Things - What do you own that you aren’t using? Have your kids outgrown gently used toys and clothes? Do you have an air fryer still in the box from Christmas or an abundance of home décor that you don’t need? Remember, one person’s clutter is someone else’s treasure. Have a yard sale or post pictures for your social media friends to claim and buy your extra stuff. Keep your prices reasonable and fair to help you sell more.
Earn Extra Money - If your workplace offers overtime opportunities, ask for as much as you can get. Not everyone is so lucky but you may be able to take on a side gig. Cleaning companies hire seasonal help and a lot of businesses need part time employees to pick up the slack on evenings and weekends. Knowing it’s just for a season and not forever will make it easier to work extra to reach your goal.
Make Cuts - Is there room in your monthly budget to cut costs? When was the last time you shopped car insurance? Can you skip some discretionary spending? The average fast food lunch these days is about $10. Cut this four days a week for four weeks and that’s $160. Do that for a few months and you’re practically on the road to summer fun.
Try A Spending Fast - If you struggle with willpower to control discretionary spending, get the family to do a Spending Fast. Most people are shocked at how much they will save in a month when doing this. Read more here!
Use Rewards Points - If you are a VCNB Rewards Checking or Visa Platinum customer, when was the last time you checked the balance on your uChoose Rewards account? Use those points to pay for travel expenses. While you’re at it, pay for your out-of-pocket expenses with your cards so you’ll accumulate even more rewards points!
Reconsider Your Plans - Maybe this isn’t the year for an expensive vacation but it could be the perfect year for a staycation or a cheapcation. Day trips from home will save on expensive hotel rooms. Trips to parks and fun activities in the area will be lighter on the budget than heading to Disney. Shop for bargains on a cabin or a beach house. Sometimes getting a whole house is more cost effective than hotel rooms. Besides, a house has a kitchen where you can cook some meals and a yard where you can grill out. Sometimes, the best fun is free or cheap and often it’s just doing things that are out of the ordinary.
Finance The Trip - If you badly want to stick with your plans for a dream vacation and simply can’t find the money, that’s ok. Stop by or call your local VCNB branch to talk to a lender about borrowing the money. That’s why we’re here!