Planning and saving money for an international getaway is definitely within reach with a few easy budgeting tips and the mindset to stay focused on your goal: to experience a new culture, explore a new city, and soak up everything it has to offer!

As we’ve all now spent the better part of the last year stuck inside, our wandering minds are dreaming of exploring a different country, taking in the views we can’t get at home, and just getting away from everything for an exciting adventure. The time to begin planning and saving for your dream vacation is now! We all need something to look forward to, and what’s better than an immersive and unique trip to a breathtaking new destination?

Gathering in a crowded dance club seems like a thing of the distant past now, but I ushered in 2019 by spending the first 60 seconds of the new year grabbing wads of cash off the dance floor of a Latin club called Loca Luna. No joke! When my friend noticed the money hidden inside each balloon set to drop at midnight, we made a strategic plan to swipe as much cash as we could.

When the balloons fell, chaos ensued. There was pushing and grabbing and elbows were thrown; I almost lost a pinky to a pair of spiked red heels!

Even though we only came out with six whole dollars, about enough to tip the waitress, the tone was set. 2019 would be the year I’d be laser-focused and ready to take control of my finances so I could start saving money for the things that add the most joy to my life.

If you want more “joy per dollar” in 2021, you are going to LOVE my conversation with money coach extraordinaire and founder of The Fiscal Femme, Ashley Gerstley. We talk about some surprisingly easy ways to adjust your mindset around money, set financial goals, and make saving money for travel a fun game (that you always win)!

Here are a few tips on how to start budgeting and save for your dream vacation:

• Create a travel fund. This seems like a no-brainer, right? Having a separate account for your travel budget allows you to “set it and forget it”, especially ones that earn you interest on your savings!

• Get a general idea of how much you will want or need to spend to have your perfect trip. Having an exact amount isn’t necessary, but it is beneficial when you start budgeting to have at least some insight into how much you will need to save for your travels!

• Break it down by month or by week--looking at smaller numbers per week is WAY less daunting than looking at a big number like $2,000; this will give you an idea of what you might need to cut from your daily expenses to put aside $10, $20, or even $50 a week in savings for travel.

• Assess and track your daily/weekly expenses, and add up how much you spend on the things you could cut back on or things you didn’t even remember you were spending on, like a daily latte or every single streaming service. This helps you visualize just how much you could potentially save for a vacation by making some small (and temporary!) sacrifices in your everyday life.

• Find a tracking method that works for you! Whether it’s writing down what you spend in a money journal as soon as you spend it, keeping track in an app, or sitting down at the end of each night and going over the day’s expenses, figure out what method will allow you to start budgeting and build the habit, without making yourself feel guilty for spending!
  

In our conversation below, Ashley and I discuss even MORE easy ways to save for a vacation you’ve always wanted to take and how to achieve your financial goals! At the end of the day, the best way to save money for travel is whichever works best for YOU.

Click below to watch 10 Easy Ways to Save for Travel. And be sure you don’t miss our free guide, which is FULL of amazing tips and resources to help you jumpstart your travel fund in 2021!

Happy saving!

Having a trip or destination in mind will motivate you to be dedicated to your savings plan!

Need some inspiration for your next journey? View our upcoming trips or browse through our blog!

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