Open A Travel Savings Account
Is 2019 the year you’re planning the trip of a lifetime? Whether it’s exploring the world with friends or heading to a dream destination with your other half, there’s no doubt that the prospect of clear blue skies and fresh adventures is hugely enticing as we trudge our way through a dreary grey winter at home. But while the dreams are certainly there, are the funds? Going on your travels can be quite pricey, so making plans and saving up is a must for most of us. If you have the will and the commitment, you can make it happen – here’s how…
It’s all too easy to say to yourself that you’re going to save each payday, only to get to the end of the month and find you don’t have any cash left over to save for your trip. So the best thing to do is set up a separate savings account with a standing order for a set amount to come from the account you get paid into. You can also use an app like Moneybox, which lets you combine regular savings amounts with a feature which rounds up the change and saves it on any card purchase. Automate the process as much as possible to avoid the temptation of dipping into your savings for other reasons.
Make A Budget Plan
If you don’t know exactly how much you’re spending then you can’t make savings. So, coming up with a budget plan is vital. Start by looking at your last bank statement and noting down all of your bill amounts, any credit card payments or joint loans for couples you have. The amount left over is your discretionary spend. Look at areas like unused subscriptions you can cancel, or little spending habits like that weekly takeaway that add up. But remember it’s important not to cut out all the run – you’ll only resent it otherwise and end up breaking your spending plan.
Be Smart About Your Bookings
Shop around to find the best possible deals on everything – flights, accommodation, transfers and food. Look at the time of year you’re planning to travel – some places still have beautiful weather outside of the peak travel season when you’re likely to pick up better deals. With flights, if you choose not to fly direct sometimes you can save big with several smaller operators, or by picking less popular flight times. With your accommodation, investigate whether one of the new boutique hostels could be an option. They have sleek design but cost far less than a hotel.
Remind Yourself Why
Saving involves making little sacrifices quite often and sometimes it can be hard to stay on track. So it’s useful to remind yourself of the bigger picture. Try changing your phone wallpaper or your desktop at work to a picture of your dream destination, or start a Pinterest board of holiday outfits that you can look at whenever you feel discouraged. You’ll be sat on that beach before you know it!
Steffi Says... 