Five Easy Things You Can Do Today to Save for Your Next Trip

I’ve touched on the topic of how I afford to travel before, but it’s been an entire year and I think it’s time to chat about money some more.

It’s unfortunate that the topic of money is so taboo because I think we’d all be better off if we spoke about it more. So many of my friends have lamented that their parents didn’t teach them jack about finances, and now they feel like they’re paying the price.

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I’m on a mission to address the “money elephant” in the room, at least in the context of travel, where I feel most confident discussing it. (Sorry, friends, you’ll need to look elsewhere for investment advice!)

Today, I want to share a few simple, actionable tips to help you start saving for your next trip. These are small steps that don’t feel difficult in the moment but can make a big impact over time. And the best part? Traveling feels even more rewarding when you don’t feel like you’ve had to struggle to afford it.

HOW TO EASILY SAVE FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

1. Stop shopping

I realize that shopping might not be everyone’s weakness, but it’s definitely mine – particularly when I’m stressed, bored, hungry, or tired. Close the tabs, empty the carts (digital and IRL), and unsubscribe from the emails. Determine what marketing tactics work for you, and do the exact opposite. Say, if pretty displays in the store siphon your wallet, order essentials online or for store pickup, so you don’t have to walk further into the store than the customer service desk.

2. Use cash-back websites

If you do have to order something online, be sure to use a cash-back website like Rakuten (referral link) to earn a percentage of your purchase back in cash. So far, I’ve earned over $300 back from purchases I would have made anyway. The catch? You have to make sure you visit Rakuten before checking out through your online retailer (you can check out their partner retailers here).

3. Set up automatic transfers

Does your bank offer a higher-yield vacation savings account? Mine does, and I dutifully transfer $50 out of every paycheck into that account. I’m paid semi-monthly, so at the end of the year when the funds are released, I’ve saved $1,200 for spending money for my trip without really feeling it.

Personally, I like the act of transferring money into a separate line for my trip as it makes me proud to do something for the “future me.” But if you’re the type who struggles with saving or planning or may forget, be sure to set up an automatic transfer around your pay date. If your bank doesn’t offer such a feature, you can set up an account with a bank that offers a high-yield savings account, such as Ally, and transfer into that account.

4. Pack your lunch

The cost of convenience is really high. Lunches ordered out or catered in add up really quickly, and this is one area that can be easily trimmed (trust me, I order lunch out maybe five times a year).

My suggestion is to find something you’ll enjoy eating that takes as much effort as ordering a meal. Maybe it’s a salad or wrap that’s quickly assembled, perhaps it’s a homemade “snack box” of crackers, hummus, nuts, cheese, and fruit, or maybe you make an extra portion of last night’s dinner and eat leftovers every day.

For me, unless I have leftovers, I’m eating avocado toast and fruit for lunch. A loaf of frozen Ezekiel bread lives in my workplace’s freezer, and every day I throw an avocado (one of the “teeny-tiny” ones from Trader Joe’s that cost anywhere from $0.50-0.65 depending on the time of year) and a couple of pieces of fruit in my lunchbox and go.

I also keep raw almonds and dark chocolate in my desk drawer along with frozen whole-grain waffles and nut butter and jam in the fridge for mid-afternoon noshing. My daily meals typically cost less than $1.50, and I dare you to find something at a restaurant made with fresh and healthy ingredients for less than that!

5. Remove all the coins from your wallet

This is another way to “hide it so you won’t notice it’s missing.” When Michael and I were broke college kids without credit cards, we used to only pay with dollar bills and would put all of our change (and the change we’d find and collect) into our piggy banks to put it toward an anniversary dinner or getaway.

I remember being giddy with excitement as we’d empty the piggies’ bellies into bags to bring to the bank, and we’d usually walk away with anywhere from $80-100 in bills. If you break it down by day, it’s such a small amount, but the grand total is nothing to sneeze at. If you’re willing to make the effort, $100 can get you pretty far if you are willing to make the effort (just check out the New York Times’ Frugal Traveler column).

I like the idea of spending it all in one place, too, as it has more impact. These days I am paying with cards more and more to earn miles, but if you primarily deal in cash this is a pretty painless way to rack up some savings. Bonus points for naming your piggy banks – it makes it easier to remember to “feed” them!

FINAL THOUGHTS ON SAVING FOR TRAVEL

By incorporating these simple, actionable steps into your routine, you can start building your travel fund without feeling the pinch. Remember, saving for a trip doesn’t have to be a daunting task; it can be a series of small, manageable changes that lead to big rewards – and sometimes those shifts can even be fun and enjoyable!

Start saving today for your next trip, and before you know it, you’ll be packing your bags without the stress of financial worries.

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Questions for you

What is your favorite savings hack?

Do you still pay in cash? Are you reaching for your credit card more often?

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