Vacation on a Budget

Margaritaville, Under the Boardwalk, Toes in the Sand, Walking on Sunshine...wherever your next vacation takes you, plan it on a budget. Everyone deserves a vacation, a time to let your mind relax and think of nothing more than the glass of iced tea in your hand, the warm sun on your face and the knowledge of knowing you don't have to look at your calendar or to-do list - you're on vacation. Follow the tips below and pack your bags with ease knowing your wallet won't be hurting when you return to home sweet home.




Save Up
If you have thought about taking a vacation, start saving NOW! Dedicate a small fee from each paycheck to a vacation savings; you will be amazed how much you have saved up when it's time to go! This will ease your financial stress and allow you to have a great time while you are on vacation. One thing that can ruin a good vacation is not planning in advance and having the weight of finances on your shoulders the entire time.


Think about how much loose change you have sitting around. Gather up all of that change and start collecting it in a 10 gallon water jug. When you cash your paycheck, ask your bank to give you $50 in rolled coin and add that to your jug (it's not as easy to spend). By the time your vacation rolls around, you'll be set!


Where to Go and How to Get There
A big contribution of your vacation money has to be devoted to transportation. Check out sites like Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline or Expedia. They usually have GREAT deals on vacation bundles. Plus, if you're having trouble deciding where to go, these sites can help you! They usually offer deals to certain places like Las Vegas, Chicago, California, etc. If you go to Travelocity, they have a gadget where you can choose a "mystery hotel". They base the hotel on what events you want to be near, and let you choose hotels with 1 star, 2 stars, 3 stars, etc. The catch is they don't tell you the exact hotel you are staying in until you have booked the room. If you choose a hotel with 3 stars or up, you're going to get a nice hotel for incredibly cheap. I've known people to get hotels on the San Antonio River walk for $89 per night by choosing this method.


Take a look into all-inclusive resorts or cruises. This will help in planning exactly how much to save up for the vacation.

Brown Bag It
Food can take a big bite out of your vacation savings. So pack a cooler with water, juice, cokes, sandwich meat, cheese, fruit, etc. and ignore the roadside signs advertising the World's Biggest Steak - you and your wallet will be glad you did! Most hotels will have microwaves and refrigerators in the rooms. Hit the grocery store to stock up on quick, easy meals you can make in the hotel room instead of eating out. Allow yourself to splurge at least once though! After all, you ARE on vacation.


Vacations are a time to relax, unwind and devote your time to rest and leisure. So plan a budget friendly vacation ahead