Everyone has this one place we all dream about going to. You plan to save up for it because one day, you will go there and have the time of your life. After all, going on a vacation has many benefits, including keeping you happy and more positive.
Sadly, financial obligations and daily expenses are getting in the way. If you really want to make that dream trip happen, here’s what you can do:
Know the Costs
Traveling is not cheap. Every movement – from the moment you step out of your house on your way to your dream destination up until the last day of your vacation – entails costs. Before anything else, make sure you know how much you are dealing with.
Identify how much you will pay for your plane ticket or estimate the cost of gas in case you are travelling by land. Familiarize yourself regarding the price per night in the hotel or Airbnb. Research about the costs of food and commute so you can also allot a specific budget for each expense. Once you have an idea on how much you will spend, you can proceed to the next tip.
Start Saving Now
Now that you know how much you much you need, even if it’s just an estimate, this could be a good way to help you establish how much money you need to save – and more.
The simplest way is to set aside a portion of your monthly salary for your Dream Vacation Fund. The amount depends on you since you have other expenses as well, but committing to this will help you a lot in financing the trip of your dream. It would also help if you made a separate bank account with online facility and automatic transfer feature for your travel fund. This will make it easier for you to transfer money since you can do so with just a few clicks.
Aside from this, here are other tips to help you save for your trip:
- Collect loose change. They may be coins and heavy on the pocket, but when taken collectively, it could help you finance the vacation of your dreams.
- Sell items you no longer need. There is a big market for pre-loved items and believe it or not, people are actually buying them (as long as the item is still in good condition). Take advantage of this by selling items that are decent, usable, clean, and you no longer need.
- Auction your valuable items. Perhaps you have an earrings or bracelet you impulsively bought several years ago. It’s time to let it go and give others an opportunity to wear it. Consider visiting Truval in New York to sell your old jewelry and make some money for it.
Adjust your Lifestyle
Here’s the thing: saving a portion of your salary may not be enough to finance the trip. Even if how much you’re earning helped you get by, you might sacrifice other expenses just to make sure that your pocket isn’t empty by the time you travel to your dream destination.
Therefore, adjust your lifestyle. Do you really need coffee and donuts just to keep you pumped during the day? Do you know how much money you can save by making your coffee at home? Is eating out every Friday a must and you don’t have any choice but come? What about meeting friends in affordable places instead of fancy restaurants?
The bottom line is look into your expenses and then see which areas you can eliminate or cut back. Once you identified them and do something about it, you can easily start saving and building your dream travel fund. Don’t worry. Those sacrifices will be worth it.
Rent Your Home
There is a reason why Airbnb is popular these days. The rooms are clean, decent, and have everything you need in the house, but offered at a cheaper fee. Plus, previous customers get to share their personal experience and reviews, which is helpful for fellow travelers like you. Why not give it a try until you have enough cash for your dream trip.
Set up your home, take good pictures to entice customers, and respond to queries. The extra cash you will earn from rent could help a lot in financing the trip of your dreams.
Take Advantage of Your Leaves
Believe it or not, these leaves, the mandatory leaves, that is, are actually paid ones. Make sure to take advantage of your annual leave entitlements and schedule that trip of your dreams on those dates.
“I can’t turn them into cash during my vacation,” you might say. That’s true. Nonetheless, you get to enjoy these benefits once you resign or retire from work since these paid leaves will be converted into cash. Not bad, don’t you think?
Keep in mind that the best time to save up for your dream vacation is now, not later. Booking everything months before the scheduled trip will also save you a lot of cash instead of planning everything a month before you plan to leave for vacation. If you want to pay up front, consider staying at an all-inclusive resort for families. This way, you’ll know exactly how much you need to spend and can estimate how much money to bring with you.
The earlier you save for it, the more you will enjoy your vacation because your funds are not limited. Keep these tips in mind to make sure you have enough money for your future travels.
