How do you save for your trip?

[Lynzer Torte]

I would really like to take DH & fam to DL for his graduation. We have a tax return coming but we still need more. What are some ways you save/earn $ for your trips?

I'm already planning on unloading a ton of stuff on craigslist, hopefully that will help.

 

[kylieh]

Here's the long answer of how we've done it... We worked out how much in total we would require for the trip - airfares, accom, entries, food, spending, tips, etc and then added on 10% contingency. Then divided the total amount over the number of weeks. EG $5,000/50 = $100 per week. From there, we added a category to our budget called "holiday", and treated the category as we would the mortgage or groceries.

To raise the extra $$ we cut down on the amount for discresionary(sp?) spending, lunches from home, etc etc. DH had also the opportunity to write some custom software for someone else which also helped.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Here's the long answer of how we've done it... We worked out how much in total we would require for the trip - airfares, accom, entries, food, spending, tips, etc and then added on 10% contingency. Then divided the total amount over the number of weeks. EG $5,000/50 = $100 per week. From there, we added a category to our budget called "holiday", and treated the category as we would the mortgage or groceries.

To raise the extra $$ we cut down on the amount for discresionary(sp?) spending, lunches from home, etc etc. DH had also the opportunity to write some custom software for someone else which also helped.

We do about the same. DGF works a number of nights OT and that goes into the fund. I take Christmas bonus money put it into the fund along with any extra funds I get from a second job or from my sideline photo business. Since this is our annual treat, it is a budgeted expense and we have never had to use a CC for anything. It takes alot of $$$ for 6 people to travel.

Jack

 

[greewe]

We also use our charge card for everything (always paying it off each month). We than have enough miles to cover several plane tickets.

 

[kkheburn]

I start saving a year ahead. Everytime I buy groceries or go to the drugstore I get 5 to 10 dollers back and stash it away.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

↑↑↑Bump!

 

[SamIAm21]

Brown bag it for lunch instead of eating out everyday. Watch for sales, shop at a low cost grocery stores like Aldi, and just basically cut back on spending on non-essential items. I also drive a lot less than I used to, but I can take public transportation to and from work. The train station is very nearby and it's a very short drive. Just cutting back on gas consumption really helps to add to my savings account.

I usually start saving about six to nine months in advance.

 

[Pluto 2]

overtime, overtime,overtime.

 

[bouncy54]

overtime, overtime,overtime.

That's what I did for one of our DL vacations. I worked so much OT that year, DH and I were bumped into a higher tax bracket come tax time! But it was worth it!

 

[Danauk]

We have the same amount of money go out of our bank account on pay day and put in a savings account which we only use for trips we take. That way as we are used to the money going out so don't miss it, but at the same time we then have money each year for a nice vacation.

 

[kellymom]

We have a vacation fund that we put into each paycheck and do this year round. Also when we are about 4 months out from travel (like now) I start to buy Disney dollars each time I go to the mall, $20 at a time seems like nothing but they add up. Last year I had $400 in Disney Dollars by doing it like that. Also any time either of us has a $5 bill we sock it away. Adds up as well and usually we just use that money for something fun that we normally wouldn't spend the $$$ to do otherwise.

 

[DisSarahK]

We're planning on using our tax return.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

We're planning on using our tax return.

Funny- I was just about to come post the same thing!


Thing is- we wanted to go Feb 27-Mar 3 but we'd need to pay for the room 30 days ahead of time and that would mean Jan 28. We haven't even filed our taxes yet so there's no way we'd get it in time. I'm not sure what to do at this point!

 

[Mattsmommy]

Tons of OVERTIME. I think I am the Queen of overtime at my job!!!!!