If you’re like many other people, you know exactly what you want to do when you finally get to take that “dream vacation,” and the plans have been on your mind for years. The problem is that you have been wondering how you will ever be able to afford it. Well, your dream can become a reality if you stick to a realistic budget and make your trip a major savings goal.
Note that a vacation isn’t usually considered to be a necessity, but vacationers do take the time to de-stress and enjoy something different than their usual routine, which is good for their mental health. In addition, your trip will mean even more when you realize that all the expenses are already covered and that you won’t have to cope with a huge credit card bill later on.
Here are 5 things you can do to save the money you need for your trip:
1. Determine how much your vacation is going to cost by planning your itinerary and calculating all of your travel-related expenses. Make this list as detailed and specific as possible because it is the key to establishing a savings goal that is realistic.
2. Find ways to substantially reduce your grocery bill. Serious meal planning will save you both time and money, and you can use those savings to finance your dream vacation. Make use of in-store specials and grocery coupons when you go shopping, bring your lunch to work every day, and eat in whenever possible because “the price is right.”
3. Make an effort to reduce your usual entertainment costs without feeling too deprived. For example, you can attend local free events and pick up some DVDs from your library. Remember that you have a definite goal, and when you finally take that dream vacation, you will realize that any sacrifice you made was worth it.
4. Get on the mailing list of a resort or hotel that interests you. Today, many of them provide special discounts and exclusive rates for their growing number of loyal Twitter followers, Facebook fans and email subscribers. The seasonal rates they have available may be surprisingly affordable, and you may also receive a discount if you can make your reservation well in advance of your actual arrival. Of course, that latter entails knowing exactly when you plan on taking your dream vacation.
Note that a vacation isn’t usually considered to be a necessity, but vacationers do take the time to de-stress and enjoy something different than their usual routine, which is good for their mental health. In addition, your trip will mean even more when you realize that all the expenses are already covered and that you won’t have to cope with a huge credit card bill later on.
Here are 5 things you can do to save the money you need for your trip:
1. Determine how much your vacation is going to cost by planning your itinerary and calculating all of your travel-related expenses. Make this list as detailed and specific as possible because it is the key to establishing a savings goal that is realistic.
2. Find ways to substantially reduce your grocery bill. Serious meal planning will save you both time and money, and you can use those savings to finance your dream vacation. Make use of in-store specials and grocery coupons when you go shopping, bring your lunch to work every day, and eat in whenever possible because “the price is right.”
3. Make an effort to reduce your usual entertainment costs without feeling too deprived. For example, you can attend local free events and pick up some DVDs from your library. Remember that you have a definite goal, and when you finally take that dream vacation, you will realize that any sacrifice you made was worth it.
4. Get on the mailing list of a resort or hotel that interests you. Today, many of them provide special discounts and exclusive rates for their growing number of loyal Twitter followers, Facebook fans and email subscribers. The seasonal rates they have available may be surprisingly affordable, and you may also receive a discount if you can make your reservation well in advance of your actual arrival. Of course, that latter entails knowing exactly when you plan on taking your dream vacation.
5. If you want to make a whole-hearted effort to save money for your special trip, remember that the interest rates on CD accounts are usually higher than they are for standard savings accounts. Also, when you set up your CCD, you may have the option of letting the interest accrue or receiving it in monthly disbursements.
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment