Picture this: You’re on a beach, sand between your toes, warm turquoise water splashing the shoreline, maybe an ice-cold beverage in your hand. It’s pure bliss. And then … you wake up to the less-than pleasant reality of a cold Midwest morning.
As cabin fever sets in this fall and winter, it’s a good time to start dreaming up fun vacation ideas for spring break and beyond. Whether you’d rather head to a warm beach or plan a European adventure, there are saving and travel tips that can make sure you come back relaxed instead of stressed about paying off your vacation for the next year or more.
1. Select your destination
This sounds like a no-brainer, but the sooner you choose your destination, the sooner you can start researching. Don’t know where to go or can’t decide? I’ll oftentimes look at flights using Google Flights to see what destinations are more attainable than others based on price and flight times. With your destination in mind, make a game plan for everything you want to do and see. This’ll help you figure out a budget and determine how aggressive you need to be in reaching your savings goals.
2. Start saving
Once you have your budget, get to work. Instead of depositing loose change into the empty coffee can above your fridge, consider opening a vacation savings account and set up automatic deposits from your paycheck. This’ll ensure your extra cash actually makes it on vacation with you. Plus, IHMVCU members have access to money management tools that can help get you to your perfect destination.
Some travel agencies offer payment plans for large or group vacations. Typically, the sooner you book, the cheaper the trip. With a minimal down payment, the travel agency can book your trip earlier than if you waited until you had all the cash in hand. Then they can work out a plan for the remaining balance leading up to your trip.
PRO TIP: TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance can cover a variety of travel-related risks, like flight cancellations and medical emergencies. If you’re planning to purchase, read the fine print to see exactly what you’re covered for, or find a plan that allows a Cancel For Any Reason add-on.
3. Use the excitement
Once your dream trip is booked, use the excitement as further motivation to save. It’s much easier to convince yourself not to eat out or spend extra cash if you know there’s a beach vacation on the other side of saving money. You might also find extra motivation to pick up additional shifts or a side job if you know it leads to a memorable excursion in Europe. Do you have a bonus or raise in your future? Save some of it for your upcoming vacation if you can.
4. Be prepared
As the trip approaches, get to know everything you can about your destination. When planning my family’s vacations, I rely heavily on Tripadvisor and Yelp for reviews on everything from hotels to restaurants to things to do. Often, previous visitors will leave tips on how to save to fully enjoy your trip.
PRO TIP: SHUTTLE TO SAVINGS: Find out if there are shuttles or trains from the airport to your hotel. If you’re traveling outside the United States to somewhere with an expansive public transit system, get to know the routes and save yourself the added expense of cab rides.
The key to saving for your dream vacation is to have a plan in place. The sooner you start saving, the closer you’ll be to the experience of a lifetime!