The holidays are over, and you’re thinking about a summer vacation and need some tips on how to plan and save for a family vacation.
Planning a trip for the family is exciting until you realize the cost of traveling may not fit your budget.
Not to worry. You need a plan to save for a vacation, and I have some ideas on the best saving plan to get you closer to your family vacation.
You will need to research the prices for the type of vacation, the location, the stay, food, activities, transportation, and the amount of travelers.
Once you know the cost, it’s time to devise a good saving plan to achieve the goal.
To help you save for a family trip, I want to share how to plan and save for a dreamy, memorable vacation.
I share this information from what I’ve learned and experienced with travel clients and what my husband and I do to go on a vacation.
Please note: Some of the Tools below have my affiliate link attached, and I may earn a small commission, with no extra charge to you, of course.
Before Saving, Research the Cost of the Vacation
Plan and save for the family vacation type of trip.
First, what kind of vacation are you planning for?
Disney trip, cruise vacation, or laying on the beachside in the Caribbean Island at an all-inclusive 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.
Plan and save for the family vacation destination to visit.
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?
Where 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 a higher budget, 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.
Plan and save for the family vacation when choosing how long you will travel.
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 online before you book.
You can always add more days after you book a trip, but at most 60 days before you leave, if available.
Tip: If you book through a travel planning expert, payment plans and a low deposit for your trip can be arranged.
So, plan accordingly regarding the number of days on the vacation.
Plan and save for the family vacation by knowing where you are staying.
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.
Plan and save for the family vacation 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, 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 and save for the family vacation by creating 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 go into your savings every paycheck automatically.
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.
If you need help saving money or need ways to earn more, check out ways to make money online.
Plan and save for the family vacation with a 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 disappear quickly.
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 and save for the family vacation by reducing 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 save for the family vacation by cutting off 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 and save for the family vacation when 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 for the family vacation.
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.
