Even though it’s winter, it's never too early to start preparing for your summer vacation. Before you know it, the warmer months will be here, and you'll be ready to take a trip. The question is: will you have enough funds to take the vacation you really want? Why not find ways to start saving now so you can afford a great vacation? Here are a dozen ways to get started now.
1. Open a savings account just for your vacation fund
Even if you already have a checking account and a savings account, consider opening up an additional savings account specifically to fund your summer vacation. This way, you can still save money for general purposes without having to dip into that account for your vacation plans.
2. Stick with your coffeemaker
If you're the type who frequents Starbucks® or some other coffee shop, cafe, restaurant, or convenience store for your daily cup of joe, consider making your own coffee at home and drinking that each day instead. You could even buy a small milk frother and make your own lattes or cappuccinos. You will be amazed how quickly the savings add up. Even if you need your coffee on the go, decent travel mugs can be quite inexpensive.
3. Have a yard/garage sale
If you have items around your home that you wouldn't mind parting with, consider setting up a weekend garage or yard sale. This can be a great way to make some quick cash and also declutter your home.
4. Declutter and sell online
If you don't want to have a sale at home, you can also declutter by listing items for sale online through sites like eBay®, Craigslist®, local Facebook® groups, OfferUp®, etc.
5. Cut your restaurant-going in half
If you are someone who eats out frequently, try to cut your restaurant trips in half to see major savings. Instead, go to the store and buy ingredients to prepare your own meals. This is almost guaranteed to make a big difference in your ongoing eating expenses, provided you shop smartly.
6. Order only water to drink when you do eat out
When you do dine out, stick with water as your drink rather than opting for sodas or other beverages. Most places won't charge you if you're not ordering bottled water.
"For the four months of your savings program, order tap water in restaurants instead of other drinks," says Money Talks News. "If you typically spend $20 a month in restaurant beverages, you’ll save $80 in four months."1
7. Make big meals and eat leftovers
As you grocery shop, buy ingredients for meals that make large batches so you can eat from them for multiple days. You can eat leftovers in the days after you prepare the meals, or you can freeze portions to eat later. Either way, that's less you have to spend on additional lunches and dinners.
8. Pick one streaming service and use it for all of your movie and television viewing
If you have cable or satellite, "cut the cord" and use online streaming for your television and movie viewing purposes. If you currently have multiple streaming services, such as Netflix®, Hulu®, Prime Video®, Disney+® or others, try subscribing to just one at a time. Watch the things you want from one service, and then cancel, and subscribe to the next one. You can always go back and re-subscribe. There are even ad-supported services, such as TubiTV®, IMDb TV® and Crackle®, which you can watch for free, and have a large number of movies and shows to choose from.
9. Cut down on driving
If you use automobiles for most of your transportation, try to walk or bike more to save on fuel if you live in an area where it is realistic to do so. Investigate public transportation options, or ask co-workers about carpooling.
10. Skip the gym membership
Hitting the gym is obviously great for your health, but it's not as good for your bank account. The reality is that there are plenty of exercises that you can do at home. Like walking or running through your neighborhood, these are completely free. If you seek variety, look up different exercises online, and mix it up.
There are lots of ways to save money or bring in extra income if you're willing to make some lifestyle adjustments, even on a temporary basis. As you work toward your savings goal, remember to put the extra income or the estimated savings into the bank so it will be ready when you need it. If you are dedicated to saving for your summer vacation, these changes could help you meet your financial goal in time.
1. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/save-money-for-summer-vacation/