Everyone deserves a chance to unwind and de-stress, and a vacation can provide an opportunity to do so. Yet, traveling to different corners of the globe is not cheap, which is why you may need to save up throughout the year to fund a much-needed break.
If you want to travel overseas in the near future, read this helpful guide to saving for your next getaway.
Create a Vacation Budget
Never run out of money by setting a vacation budget. You will need to factor in the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Food and drink
- Transportation
- Activities
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs
A vacation budget will ensure you do not need to count every penny at your destination and can enjoy your getaway.
Open a Savings Account
Once you have a vacation budget to work towards, you should open a credit union savings account that offers a competitive rate, 24-hour access, a dependable app, and automatic transfers between accounts. It will encourage you to set money aside for a trip each month, and it can make paying for a vacation feel much easier.
Cut Your Grocery Bill
You do not need to sacrifice freshness, quality, and good health when attempting to trim your grocery bill. You could make superb savings throughout the year by buying in-season produce and switching to cheaper ingredients.
Also, you could slash the cost of your grocery bill at the checkout by using coupon codes for various products. You can then add the money saved into your vacation fund.
Find Ways to Save Money
Cutting your grocery bill can increase your bank balance, but other clever tactics can improve your finances. For example, you should:
- Use comparison services when buying online
- Skip the daily chain coffee
- Buy products from daily deal websites, such as Groupon
- Use vouchers at restaurants
- Car share with a colleague to work
- Recycle an old smartphone or tablet for cash
- Sell your unwanted possessions
Travel Off-Peak
Slash the cost of a trip by traveling to your desired destination during an off-peak season. It could help you stay at the same hotels and embrace the same excursions for a fraction of the costs during peak seasons.
Eat Local
Skip the expensive chain restaurants when on vacation and sample the local cuisine. For example, street vendors are not only much cheaper than commercial venues, but they will allow you to experience a nation’s many fantastic dishes. For example, if you are in Bangkok, you can enjoy fried rice or Baan Yai Phad Thai for as little as $1. So, step outside your comfort zone to save money during a getaway and enjoy many new and exciting flavors.
If you follow the above top tips, you could save a substantial amount of money to pay off your next vacation. Plus, you must look for ways to reduce your expenses once you arrive at a destination, such as taking public transport over a taxi, trying street vendor dishes, and swapping commercial attractions for hidden gems.
Everyone has a bucket list destination they want to visit. For example, you may have always wanted to experience the buzz of New York’s Times Square, watch the sun go down on a Caribbean island, or explore historic Rome.
Yet, if you do not organize your finances, you might never step foot in your desired destination.
If money is preventing you from jetting off, check out these four top tips for funding your dream vacation. Continue Reading
With the growth of the “sharing economy,” the popularity of car-sharing has also increased. Through the use of a smartphone, you can “borrow” another person’s car and move around without the inconveniences of transport. With the many benefits of car sharing, some of them have been discussed below. Continue Reading
Most people spend their days dreaming of relaxing by the pool with a cocktail or exploring an exciting city with loved ones. Yet, you might not have the money in the bank right now to book a break.
If you are longing for a getaway to relax your body and de-stress your mind, some tactics can help you pay for a trip at home or overseas. Continue reading to learn how you can pay for an upcoming vacation.
Save Money Throughout the Year
Add a percentage of your income into a savings account to save for a breakaway with your friends or family. If you set aside $50 per month for the next twelve months, you will have $600 in the bank to spend on a vacation. Also, you should aim to cut costs to save more cash throughout the year. For example, you could cancel an expensive gym membership, switch energy suppliers, or eat out less.
Take Out a Personal Loan
If you do not have the money available in the bank right now, a personal loan could fund your next break away. Oportun provides dependable loans in Austin, TX, as it offers long pay-off times and small repayment options to match your budget and lifestyle. Plus, it could help you build up a good credit history, which could improve your chances of securing a mortgage or taking out additional credit in the future.
A Buy Now, Pay Later Service
Some travel companies provide a buy now, pay later service. It allows vacationers to book flights, accommodation, and tours they can pay off via monthly installments. It can help people spread the cost of a getaway at home or overseas, which can take some of the pressure off your finances. However, you must pay for the trip in full on the specified date or your vacation will be canceled.
Split the Cost with Your Loved Ones
You could make your money go further by splitting the cost of a vacation with your loved ones. Rather than checking into a hotel, you could book a villa or an apartment to share with relatives or friends. For example, a $2,000 villa split between 10 guests will equal $200 each. All you will need to do is find low-cost flights, and you can slash the cost by flying during the weekday at night.
Conclusion
Booking a vacation does not need to be a pipe dream. If you want to fly to a stunning destination in the near future, you should start saving as much money as possible for the trip. Once you have opened a savings account, you should look for ways to shave money off your daily outgoings, from trimming your grocery budget to switching energy providers.
Alternatively, you could spread the cost of travel using a buy now, pay later service, or you could take out a personal loan to quickly pay for a break while building up your credit rating. The choice is yours.
Over the last few months, it appears that the pandemic situation is improving in several parts of the world. However, this doesn’t mean that you can go back to the way that things were. Since COVID-19 is far from being eradicated, you still have to be careful when planning your vacation. The good news is that it is quite simple to travel during this period and have lots of fun. If you want clear and concise instructions on how to manage this, consider the guidelines below:
Stay Updated On Statistics
Before you take off anywhere, be sure to research the places you want to visit. Look for cities like Seattle where most people have been vaccinated. If you want to go out and about, there will be less risk of infection.
Keep in mind that the numbers can change quite quickly, so you need to stay up to date on current news. Be prepared for a change of plans if there is a shift in the situation. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Consider Isolated Travel Options
It’s difficult to control your environment with public transport systems like trains and planes. This is why it’s important to travel in your own vehicle. However, what if you don’t want to be stuck in your car for hours on end? What if you aren’t looking for yet another road trip?
In this case, you could consider renting out a yacht. For instance, if you are headed to Seattle, you can easily access your yacht in Seattle, which makes it simple for you to explore and get supplies as needed.
Look for Remote Rentals
If you are planning to stay on land for any period of time, skip the hotels and other crowded areas. Instead, look for remote rentals in rural or spaced out locations. This way, you can make sure that you don’t have to share a space with anyone outside of your immediate group.
The other benefit is that you get total control over sanitizing the area. This makes it a lot easier to keep all surfaces – and even the air – clean and healthy for you and your family.
Get Creative With Having Fun
Just because there are restrictions in place doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. By being a smart traveller with careful plans, you can ensure that you get the most out of your vacation. For instance, with a little research, you can find tourist spots and other recreational ideas that aren’t swamped with too many people.
You should also take this opportunity to check out places that you would typically miss out on. By doing more research about what a particular city or town has to offer, you can uncover some hidden treasures and enjoy a real adventure.
The pandemic doesn’t have to get in the way of your vacation. With some research, planning, and unique ideas, you can have a holiday that neither you nor your family will ever forget!