A Vacation Savings Plan

Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

20 Best Jamaican Recipes - This great new cookbook offers recipes with that spicy Island taste you are sure to enjoy! Relive a taste of the Caribbean today!When you spend at least 40 hours a week at your job, it is probably safe to assume that you are ready for your vacation time. Unless you are independently wealthy, you need a plan to save money to go on a family vacation get-away of your choice. There are many effective ways to save for your family vacation. While this may seem like a simple proposition, some people find it difficult to lay aside some money each pay period. The key here is that you need to have a plan and stick to it.

The first thing you need to do is to open up a separate savings account specifically meant for your vacation money. If your employer offers direct deposit, you can usually specify a certain amount of money be put into this account. Some banks will schedule an automatic direct transfer to your savings account if you don’t have direct deposit or if you are not able to deposit money into two separate accounts.

The next thing you need to do is to have a budget set up for your family spending, which includes monies you can set aside for your vacation dollars. Examine the amount of money your family spends weekly or monthly on family entertainment and fast food restaurants. Then try to reduce that amount, and put the remainder away for your trip. So that a pending vacation doesn't become too taxing on your regular family fun, shop around for freebie activities or reduced-cost entertainment options to enjoy during the months before you depart on your vacation.

Another good way to save up money is to salvage all your coin change. Whenever you are shopping with cash, resolve to only use paper money. Then take the coins you receive and put it aside at the end of every day. You can set up a ‘vacation jar’ just for this purpose. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it can build up. While you may not think you have that much in your change jar, it is possible just to empty it at vacation time to have extra spending money or that little boost you need to go on your dream vacation.

Be sure and involve your kids in the vacation saving venture, as well. This is a great time to teach the valuable lessons of saving and budgeting money. They can have their own ‘vacation jar’ for use for their spending money on vacation. Their change jar can be set up just as yours is, using extra coins they have left over from other spending.

Look for other ways to add extra cash to the vacation fund. There are many ways you may be able to earn extra funds. One idea is to save aluminum cans and take them into the recycling plant periodically for cash. You may be able to sell some of your unwanted items over e-bay, or you could have a rummage sale to earn extra vacation cash as well. Think outside the box. There are plenty of opportunities out there to add to your vacation savings. You just need to resolve that any extra cash you get will go toward your family vacation.

You need to budget realistically. Vacations need not be expensive. Budget an amount and stick to it. If you are going on a driving vacation, set a fixed spending amount ($150 per day, for example). Include all of your expenses, gas, meals, admissions, special activities, etc. Use that amount as your goal for your vacation savings. Think of how much you will need to save per month to accomplish that goal.
To save money, try reducing your eating out. You may want to take a lunch to work instead of eating in restaurants or fast food places every day. Budget for only one meal in a restaurant per week, for example. And, while you are on vacation, try to save money on food by preparing your own food and either eat in the hotel room or have a picnic.
Another good tip for vacationing on a budget is to use all-inclusive vacation resorts. That way, you get everything from your flight, food, drinks and entertainment all in one packaged price. There are many vacation places that offer this type of package deal.

You can also save on your vacationing by traveling in the off-season. For instance, you can travel cheaper to the Caribbean if you travel in October (before the busy season starts). You still get a great beach vacation with all the pampering included, but at a greatly reduced price.

Having a separate account for your vacation savings, by budgeting and by spending your vacation dollars wisely, it is not out of reach for you to have a great vacation. The key to a successful getaway on a budget is to plan.