Creative Ways to Budget for Your Vacation

Planning for vacation means Pinterest boards filled up with ideas and checking flight prices every day. But there are a lot of ways to make the most of your vacation budget.

First though, you need to make a budget! Creating a budget does not mean you’re eliminating all of the fun out of your trip. It simply means you’ll still be in a good place financially when you return home.

With a budget, you won’t fall into a state of guilt when you return home and discover just how much you spent on your getaway with the family.

So, here are some creative ways to budget for your vacation.

Create a kids’ budget

Budget a little spending money for your children, too. This way, they know what they can spend on souvenirs or on a special activity on vacation. It’s hard not to cave at their every request, so make it clear that this is their spending money. Consider giving them control over it, but enforcing the “once it is gone, it’s gone” rule.

Make the most of your limited time and money

Sometimes the activities you choose can become the most expensive part of your trip. Visiting the zoo, museums, or seeing a ballgame can all add up quickly. So, know your budget before you make any decisions.

Check out online deals and packages. Sites such as Groupon or TripAdvisor can be helpful when you’re deciding what activities are worth your time and money.

Also, search for travel blogs for your vacation spot. They may help you find a few off-the-beaten-path activities to include in your itinerary.

Keep a log of your trip

It’s always fun to look back and see what you did during your vacations in years past. You may think you will remember all of the places you went or the unique restaurant you ate at in that one random town you stopped at…but most likely, you’ll eventually forget.

This can also help you budget for the NEXT vacation you take. You’ll be able to see what you spent and what you need to save for the next one. Also, it will be easier to see where you could have trimmed to save more money. Could you have eaten out of your cooler more? Could you have driven instead of flown? Could you have done more if you’d gone to a different location?

Especially if you have a long drive or flight home, creating a log can you help pass the time!

Set a goal for next year

Make vacation a part of your monthly budget. Set a goal for yourself to save a certain percentage of your income each month. Then, next year you will know exactly how much you have to work with!

If you save enough, you might even be able to use some of your funds for a mini vacation later in the year.

Not enough this year? Have a fun staycation!

Many think they have to take a big vacation every year, but that’s not the case! The key is finding a way for your family to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life, to relax and recharge.

And, you can do that while staying close to home! There are many day trips you can take as a family, so take a long weekend to get away somewhere close. Then, you can continue saving for a larger trip in the future.

Camp at LBL, have a grill out at a local park, head to Discovery Park of America in Union City, or travel the wine trail in Southern Illinois. There are fun things you can do that do not take a lot of cash.

If you’re really trying to save, the kids will love just getting away to the backyard! Pitch a tent, build a bonfire, play games, sing, eat some yummy food, and enjoy being together,

Ready to make this vacation a great one?  Work on your budget for it today!