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Dreaming of a family vacation with your spouse and kids, but worried about the cost? Let me be real with you. Planning is the easy part. Paying for it? That’s where it gets tricky.
But don’t stress, you just need the right plan.
Once you know your total cost (travel, hotel, food, activities), you can start saving with purpose instead of guessing.
So let me show you how to plan and save for a vacation your family will actually enjoy, without feeling overwhelmed.
Before Saving, Research the Cost of the Vacation
What type of Family Vacation are you planning?
First, what kind of vacation are you planning for?
I suggest picking out three different types of trips to do with the family.
Trips like Disney World, cruise vacations, or lying on the beachside in Myrtle Beach, or at an all-inclusive resort to save time on food and drinks, or drive to a beach nearby for the weekend.
Whatever type of vacation you choose, add the cost of the trip plus extra for other expenses to a planner to help you keep track of your goal.
Tip: When adding the cost of the trip onto a planner, be sure to add other expenses like country, taxes, travel insurance, transportation, food, drinks, activities, and shopping.
What Location Are You Planning To Go?
The cost of the vacation will depend on the location.
Are you planning to stay nearby, drive to another state, or fly across the country?
Do you want to cruise, explore the world, go to the Caribbean, or take an international trip?
Did you see that Walt Disney offers other vacation packages?
So wherever you choose will depend on how much you can save and when you decide to go.
If you want to explore further, the trip’s price will be higher, so you may need to plan that trip for next year.
However, start with a smaller budget if you want to go on a trip sooner.
Any trip away from home responsibilities can be a great vacation.
What is the Length of the Trip?
The cost of the trip can also depend on how long you plan on staying on your vacation.
Cruises and guided tours have set schedules like the length of days, the month, and selected trip dates.
If you’re staying at a hotel or resort, the price will vary based on the number of days you book.
You can always add more days after you book a trip, but at most 60 days before you leave, if available.
So, plan accordingly regarding the number of days on the vacation.
Where do you plan to stay?
Most hotels and resorts only have one bedroom with a king or two queen beds, a bathroom, a mini refrigerator, and a TV.
Some hotels and resorts have more amenities, bedrooms, or a penthouse suite.
When you book an Airbnb or vacation home, you have a home away from home.
Cruise lines have rooms that vary from one single bed to multiple beds in each stateroom.
The stateroom types are inside room, outside, or suite.
Tip: Check prices on the rooms, taxes, and fees. The cost varies depending on the type of room you select. The bigger the room, the higher the cost.
How much are the activities, drinks, and food?
Have a budget for the food, drinks, and activities.
For instance, Walt Disney Theme Parks offers food and drink packages and other activities to add to your trip cost.
If you’re staying at an all-inclusive, the length of stay may be easier on your bank account.
You can pay for food and drink packages beforehand. Even cruise lines have food and drink deals as well.
Most resorts have an all-inclusive. Check the resort website for food, drinks, and more before booking.
If you get an Airbnb, vacation home, or a resort with a kitchen, then you can prepare food while on your trip and save money.
Tip: Research a local food market or grocery store in the area.
Now that you have a plan for where to stay and the type of vacation you’re taking, it’s time to start saving and paying for that vacation.
Let’s Start a Savings Plan for the Family Vacation.
Plan a weekly savings.
Depending on how often you get paid from work, you want to save each time you get paid.
For instance, plan for a reasonable amount to automatically go into your savings every paycheck.
Tip: set up a direct deposit of a small amount into a savings account for each paycheck.
Don’t use the money in your savings if you want that relaxing vacation.
Plan your food budget, and cook at home.
With a family, it can be overwhelming to save on food.
Then again, it’s not.
Cut out online deliveries, dine at restaurants, or pick up takeouts.
That is where all of your money is going.
I know you’re tired from working all day, so getting something quick to eat is easier.
And it’s just as easy for your money to quickly disappear.
Plan your food budget at the grocery store for the week or longer.
Everything you want to eat at the restaurant can be made at home with the right ingredients.
Tip: I love using Pinterest to find recipes and ideas for weekly food lists.
Save your money so you can get to that vacation sooner.
Then, you can plan a perfect night out to dine at a local restaurant while on vacation.
Plan to reduce your monthly bills.
It’s the simple things like reducing the use of your utility bills.
You can switch off the lights or use a timer away from home.
Unplug electronic devices while it’s not being used.
Keep the temperatures on the air conditioner or heat system according to the recommended setting advice from your utility company.
Plan to unsubscribe from unnecessary subscriptions.
If you want this vacation, you must cut back on unnecessary subscriptions.
A monthly subscription to watch television is an average of $6, and yearly, it will be $72.
That’s for one subscription, so I hope you only have one.
Tip: add up all the subscriptions you pay for every month and times that by 12.
That’s how much you pay a year and how much you could save for your vacation.
So? Which subscription has to go?
Plan your shopping and avoid impulse buying.
This is a bad habit and why your bank account becomes drained quickly.
Shop on Amazon for one item, and now you purchased five items.
You go into the grocery store, and the same thing happens.
You’re buying things you don’t need and not saving for the vacation.
Don’t let the shopping habits take over, and don’t spend what you don’t have.
Tip: list things you need, and only get those items. Write your list on your phone notes section to keep with you. And look for cheaper items or deals when shopping.
You do want to go on this vacation.
Use some help to achieve your goal and stay on track.
If you stick to the budget and save, you will get on that dream vacation with your family and make beautiful memories.
If you need more help to stay on track, use a digital budgeting sheet and a planner to help you save.
While on vacation, use a travel itinerary to keep you on track with your plans and save you money and time.
Your Free Road Trip Planner Starts Here
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Click the link to download your free road trip planner and plan your next adventure smarter, easier, and with way less stress.
What’s Your Saving Tip?
Do you have tips on how you save for your dream vacation? Feel free to share in the comments below.
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Author
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Hi, I’m Lexie G, a wife and mom of two based in Atlanta. I created Lexie On The Go to share helpful travel tips, road trip ideas, hotel advice, and easy getaway inspiration for couples and families.
With a background in the hotel industry, experience booking travel, and years of planning trips for my own family, I love helping others travel with more confidence and less stress.
View more about Lexie On The Go here.
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