When you want to plan a vacation with your family, there are many things to consider. While you still need take care of your day-to-day living expenses, you also need to think of ways to put a little money aside every month for your trip. This can be challenging, especially if you do not have a monthly budget or a plan for saving that you can easily follow.

Start a Savings Plan Now

If you live on a tight monthly budget, it makes sense to plan ahead as far as possible. It’s so much easier to put $20 in savings every week for fifty weeks than it is to come up with $1000 at one time for your vacation.

Start saving vacation money immediately! Divide the cost of your vacation by the number of weeks you have left until you want to leave, then put that money aside each week. You now have a vacation budget and a time-line that works for saving the amount of money you will need.

Save Money by Booking Well Ahead

Many online travel websites offer package discounts and have the cheapest deals well in advance. Saving even a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your vacation budget. Some websites will even price match if you find a lower price after you book your trip.

Consider opting for the cancellation insurance in case something happens and you need to cancel your trip. Make sure to read the fine print so you’ll know about any penalties or fees. When in doubt, ask beforehand so you aren’t met with an unpleasant surprises if you have to cancel or change plans.

Shop for the Necessities Before You Leave

Courtesy of Flickr (Javajoba)

Another way to stick to your travel budget is to bring the necessities with you. Although you can certainly buy sunscreen, Tylenol, sunglasses, beach hats, and other travel items, many of the stores in tourist areas have higher prices because, well, they can. Review your necessities and see what you can bring cheaply and what you are better off buying there.

Souvenirs are a fun reminders of your trip. Set aside some money for souvenirs in your vacation budget. Consider souvenirs that have dual purposes, like tote bags, polo shirts, and hats; something you may need anyway, but it happens to have a local info on it.

Choose Meals Wisely

While it is necessary to eat when on vacation, there are ways that you can keep your expenses down. Check on all-inclusive packages that include food and drinks, especially if food and drink are a big part of your plans.

Breakfast, drinks, and snack foods are most economical when kept in the room. Stock your refrigerator and you’ll save a lot of money.

Choose your dining experiences wisely. If you make smart breakfast and snack decisions, you’ll save enough money to enjoy great local restaurants for lunch and dinner. After all, one of the best aspects of a vacation is going somewhere else and experiencing the food and culture.

Research the Area

Developing a vacation budget, and sticking to it, can be easily done if you take the time to research the details, like the price of local events, restaurants, and other costs before you go. Don’t forget the small charges like tolls, taxis, parking fees, and tips. These all add up when trying to stick to a vacation budget.

Once you leave for your vacation, try to stay within the budget as much as possible. If you decide to spend a little more money in one place, don’t let it ruin your budget. Plan to take the money from somewhere else. Your budget doesn’t have to be set in stone. After all, you’ll probably find things to do that you didn’t know about. You can even plan a ‘surprise fun’ budget amount for that very purpose.

A vacation should be fun, so plan as best as you can, try to stay within your plan, and have a great time!