It is completely normal and logical to hear the word vacation and equate it with fun and relaxation. But if you’ve been sticking to a strict budget, you might hear the word vacation and immediately think things like it will be expensive, or it will break my budget and the bank, or the cost of this trip will stress me out. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Our credit counseling advice is to create a vacation fund ahead of time.
Last month, Darcy gave some great tips for saving on summer trips by using sites like Kayak.com and Living Social, planning far in advance, and scoping out the best deals.
Whether you plan to travel the world, take a weekend trip, or even take a staycation, it is necessary that you budget for all costs beforehand. Once you have created a budget, you will have a clearer sense of the amount of money you will need to save and will be able to create a savings plan.
First, start by using ACCC’s travel budgeting calculator to determine how much you will need to save for a vacation by budgeting how much you will spend in specific categories such as transportation, hotel costs, meals, and activities. This handy calculator even includes lines for expenses such as travel insurance, passports and travel documents, pet or child care while you are away, currency exchange and bank fees, and luggage fees. Many times, these costs go unconsidered when planning for a trip. Don’t forget that even the smallest costs can add up!
Now that you’ve budgeted for your trip and have an accurate picture of how much money you will need for your vacation, it is time to determine a savings plan. Consider how much you currently have saved, any extra income, how much you deposit on a regular basis, and how often you contribute to your savings. Take the time to determine how long it will take you save for your vacation and how much you will need to save on weekly or monthly basis to reach your goal.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
