Recently I posted, Money Saving Tips, for your Big Trip – Part 1, and Money Saving Tips, for your Big Trip – Part 2 of my 3-part money saving series. In those posts, I shared that we have a passion for travel and need to save money for our trips. With that in mind, I did some research and found some of the best ways to cut our expenses, thus helping us save for these precious trips. After doing all this research I figured this might help others wanting to save and be able to take their family on a summer vacation this year. I found 18 money saving tips that can help make these trips possible. There is a lot of information, so I decided the break up the list into 3 separate posts. Here are the final 6 suggestions of this series. Hope you find one or more tips that you can use to save money for a future trip.
13 – Save money on movie-watching
There are some movies that you just have to see on the big screen, such as Star Wars movies, etc, but more often than not, we will rent from Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Red-box. It just doesn’t make sense to spend so much money on the movie itself, not to mention all the drinks and such at the snack bar. A big benefit for me is being able to rewind if I missed something. It’s also fun to go back afterward and watch a funny scene again. Sometimes you even get the bonus material which is a huge plus.
14 – Replace any old incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs
By replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with models that have earned the Energy Star, you can save $75 each year per bulb. They might cost a bit more in the beginning but since they use less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs, typical fluorescent and LED bulbs can pay for themselves in less than nine months, and then start saving you money each month.
15 – Start a savings account strictly for travel expenses.
This is one I liked. I definitely started a savings account at my bank solely for the purpose of saving for our trips. Some people suggest giving it a fun nickname like “I’m Outta Here” or “Gone Fishin”, but TRAVEL FUND works for me 🙂 It definitely helps me stay focused. I love the fact that I can easily transfer money over from another account. It’s also encouraging that every time I go online to check my other accounts I see this one too. I love watching it grow!
16 – Save automatically into your new travel savings account
As stated above, having separate savings account specifically for travel lets you see your progress towards your trip. However, having an automatic withdrawal from your regular account to your travel account ensures that you save to it regularly. $20 a week is over $1,000 a year, and $100 per bi-weekly paycheck is $2,600 a year. Direct funds into this account on a regular basis and give it a bonus deposit when you can. I have been doing this a while and don’t even miss the amount I save from my paycheck. I save without even thinking about it 🙂
17 – The moment your paycheck comes in, deposit the ENTIRE leftover balance into your travel account.
I have been trying to do this each month and I am seeing a little bit of progress. Of course, I wish it were more, but every lit bit helps, right? As soon as my husband and I get paid I do try to transfer everything left into our travel account. Unfortunately, sometimes there isn’t anything or much of anything left to transfer. But I figure a few dollars here and there will eventually add up. Like my grandpa used to always say, a penny saved is a penny earned. 🙂
18 – Reduce drinking and smoking
A no-brainer if I ever saw one. Drinking out at bars, clubs, and restaurants can really add up, and add up quickly. You can buy a whole bottle sometimes for the price of one drink at a club. it can get ridiculous. If you really do want to have a drink with dinner, maybe limit it to one. Much better to buy it at the store and make your own drinks at home. Make it fun and have a wine tasting party where everyone brings a bottle to share. We did that for a birthday party once, and it was a blast. You get so many different varieties to try. As far as smoking goes, quitting can save you thousands of dollars a year, it can also save your life! I know this may be hard for some, but it is worth trying and will get you to your travel destination much quicker.
So what do you think of this 3-part Money Saving Tips series? Are there any that you are doing? If so, are they helping? Thanks in advance for any comments. Again, here are the links to Money Saving Tips, for your Big Trip – Part 1 and Money Saving Tips, for your Big Trip – Part 2. Happy Travels!
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We switched over to all the new light bulbs a few years ago but we also turn off all lights in rooms we aren’t in. Neither hubby or I drink or smoke so that saves a bundle from what I’ve heard from people who smoke. Since I use CC for just about everything we don’t have loose change to add to a jug but I participate in the 52 week money challenge where I save $1 the first week, $2 the second week and continue to $52 for the 52nd week. At the end of the year I have over $1300. I also like to start backwards, $52 on the first week and down to $1 on the last week. It’s easier for me to get the higher amounts out of the way. Thanks for your great tips!
Samantha, thanks for another great compilation of save-portunities! One thing to add could be that lighting has gone further, even beyond bulbs. LED bulbs are the generation after the compact fluorescents, and they are even cheaper per year of life and easier on the environment. You get a 14-watt LED bulb for 100 watts worth of light. Overhead LED lights literally have no bulbs, rather little electrodey square bits that emit light. [Someone else can explain that! :-)] Amazing!