A dream vacation may seem impossible to orchestrate (so many logistics! So much money!), but starting now makes it easier to plan and budget for an amazing trip by the end of the year. Although it involves long-term planning and daily effort, sacrifice, and stress, the process can be fun on its own. Here are 11 steps to saving enough money for a fantastic trip in 2019.
The first step: Create a dedicated bank account for vacation savings, separate from other checking and savings accounts. Most banks let customers set up automated transfers from their primary accounts into a separate account. The new vacation account should see only deposits. No dipping into it when life happens — that's what an emergency fund is for. Having a dedicated vacation account makes it easy to see at a glance how much you've saved, and then how much you have to spend while traveling. Just make sure the spending won't incur penalties if the balance dips below a minimum.
It's impossible to make a budget without a very clear understanding of the costs associated with your chosen destination. Everything needs to be accounted for, from flights and accommodations to meals and ticket prices for attractions. Make a general itinerary and dive into online resources such as travel blogs and official tourism websites, as well as published travel guides (get the most recent!) from a library or bookstore.
Watch out for seasonal fluctuations; costs and crowd sizes can vary widely from high season to shoulder season to off-peak times, based on weather, local religious observances, and a variety of other factors. Remember that there might also be expenses before jetting off, such as passport fees, travel insurance, pet care, and phone service. Upon arrival, is it cheaper to rent a car or feasible to use public transit? If you're planning to go abroad, what's the currency exchange rate? What are the tipping customs? It may seem overwhelming, but that's why it's key to start early.
After researching all the associated costs, tally up a total for the entire trip — erring on the high end so there are no surprises down the line. Online trip budgeting tools from sites such as Budget Worksheets, The Independent Traveler, and Visa's Practical Money Skills for Life program can help sum up the costs and keep you from overlooking anything. Custom spreadsheets can be built in Excel or Google Sheets. Once you settle on a final figure, it's time to calculate how much to save per month (or even per week or per day) to hit that number. Turn to a free online savings tool such as SmartyPig and plug in the ballpark total and departure date.
If you have any existing savings that can go into the vacation fund, determine that now and adjust the budget accordingly. An annual bonus or a tax refund could be put toward the vacation, at least in part, as could any windfall or inheritance — provided there aren't other priorities such as debt to pay down. Transfer the available money now so there's no temptation to spend it elsewhere. That immediately brings down the amount you need to save, although it's still important to start saving now to reach your ultimate goal.
The monthly savings requirement for a vacation budget can be daunting on top of other bills and necessary expenses. Sacrifices may be necessary. Look at household spending and consider how to cut costs (and put your family on a budget now if you haven't already). There are probably plenty of things you don't need and ways to reduce fixed costs, such as insurance payments.
Small change adds up, so institute an old-school coin jar. Label it with something inspiring such as "Hawaii Fund" or "Bon Voyage!" and toss in spare change every day. It's fun to watch the jar fill up, and it can be surprising how quickly the money accumulates. Another way to save pennies is to cut out those little fees and expenses, which also add up fast. Make it a rule never to use an ATM that will incur a fee; drink coffee only at home or at the office; say no to drinks in restaurants (or even at home). Institute a test: Do I want to order dessert, or do I want to go to Italy next Christmas?
A family vacation should ideally involve every member of the family who's old enough to understand money and sacrifices. Talking to kids about money can help them understand what it takes to go on a big trip, and even provide incentive to chip in if they get an allowance. To provide incentive, adults can point out that souvenirs, treats, and other extras come from the vacation savings, so the more money that goes in the fund, the more exciting the trip will be. Would other relatives be willing to contribute money to allow your children to travel? Grandparents.com proposes that kids apply for an all-in-the-family travel grant.
It's essential to keep the vacation savings on track, particularly if flights and accommodations will be booked well in advance. Have family meetings where the adults monitor the account. If monthly contributions are lagging, the budget may need adjusting — and expectations for the vacation also may need to change. Count up the coin jar savings, too, or convert its contents to cash and put that money into the account. (Note that supermarket converters take up to 8 percent of the change. Try a local bank instead.) Stay on top of that vacation savings account so there are no surprises once the anticipated date arrives.
A vacation budget doesn't just have to come from money saved; it can also come from extra money earned. Most people have unwanted and unused books, clothing, video games and DVDs, and knickknacks lying around that can be sold online or in an old-fashioned garage sale for some extra dough. Members of the family might consider getting a side job, such as tutoring, babysitting, sewing and alterations, yard work, or any other service that might bring in funds. It's possible that a pleasurable hobby also could generate some money on the side. Putting your home up for short-term rental on a site such as Airbnb can even bring in money while you're away.
Once you've chosen a destination, there's a chance somebody else might help pay for the trip. It's a long shot, but worth investigation. For students and teachers, the most likely candidates for aid, niche research grants can help offset the cost of a vacation, although they may not cover the whole trip. Some nonprofit organizations, private institutions, and government agencies also offer travel grants for training or other specialized purposes, sometimes only for members of their own organizations. (For instance, Rotary International funds some travel related to member projects.) A volunteer vacation might be worth looking into as well, but the budget shouldn't depend on a potential travel grant.
Saving for a vacation can put stress and strain on a household, but keeping the end goal in mind can help keep everyone motivated and excited. Put up little reminders of the destination, such as pictures or a screensaver. Talk about the place beyond money — explore its quirks and interesting facts, its history, the residents' lifestyle. Eat the food and listen to the music of that locale, and look forward to enjoying it authentically once vacation time arrives. Watch YouTube videos to learn about the language and accent, and encourage the family to practice it for fun. Drawing inspiration for the future vacation makes saving less painful and easier to achieve.
