If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram lately, you’ve probably been bombarded with countless images of friends, family, and celebrities living their best lives on vacation. Maybe it’s your coworker posing in front of the Grand Canyon or maybe it’s your cousins smiling while relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean - whatever it is, it’s probably got you dreaming of the day that you can take some much-needed time off, too. There’s just one problem, though: your vacation fund is nonexistent!
Saving for travel can be a big pain, especially if you’re already living on a dime. The good news is that there are some simple and easy solutions that can help you cut back on spending and save some cash so that you can make your dream vacation a reality! With just a little organization and discipline, these five steps will get you started saving.
1. Make a budget
The key to saving money, no matter the desired purchase, is to create a budget. Without one, it can be way too easy to spend money you don’t have instead of putting extra cash aside each month toward your spending goals. There are some great apps and programs online that can help you build a budget from the ground up so that you can stop stressing and start saving.
2. Pack your lunch
While going out for lunch each day may give you a nice break from the office, packing your lunch can save you tons of money and also make you healthier! You could save hundreds each month just by spending a little extra time each morning preparing your bagged lunch. And if you still need a break in the middle of the workday, take your lunch outside and enjoy some fresh air and sunlight.
3. Hitch a ride
If you’re close with your coworkers, this tip could help you save on gas and build up your vacation fund while also cutting down on your carbon footprint! Ask around and see if any coworkers are willing to let you ride with them to and from work. If you live close to your job, you could also bike to work and get a little exercise while saving money at the same time!
4. Check for deals
One of the best ways to save big for vacation is to shop for the best deals on airfare, lodging, and entertainment costs. There are plenty of websites that gather all the best deals on travel expenses to make the shopping a little easier. You never know what kind of deals you may stumble on, and you could end up saving a lot of cash.
5. Sell old stuff
Thanks to the internet, you can easily sell gently used furniture, clothing, appliances, and more to help fund your next vacation. Gather all the items in your house that you don’t want, need, or that you aren’t using anymore and have an online yard sale! You may be surprised how much money you could earn.
It can be easier to save money for travel than you may think. Before you know it, you’ll be hopping on an airplane, heading out to a beautiful destination. While you’re there, make sure you take lots of photos and videos to commemorate the experience you worked so hard for! And if you have any photos or videos from past vacations, make sure you get them digitized with Southtree so that you can look back and enjoy memories made long ago. Memories are so important, just like rest and relaxation. Southtree digitization is the perfect way to preserve memories captured on camera so that you and your family can appreciate them for years to come.
