Family Fun on a Budget
Family Fun on a Budget
Planning for a vacation can be very easy if you prepare ahead of time! I like to make a budget before we leave. First, we write down all of our basic expenses. If we are taking a road trip for example, we include costs for gas, hotels, and meals. When we go to special places, like Disneyland, we also include things like tickets, food at the park, purchased pictures, and other miscellaneous items in the budget. A lot of these costs will be estimates, so it’s good to put a little wiggle room in the budget – especially because anything can happen on vacations, so you want to be financially prepared. You can create a spreadsheet with your estimated and actual spending to keep track. It helps to keep all your receipts and record any cash payments, so you don’t miss any costs! This is a picture of our family vacationing in California.
MilSpouse Money
Mission Response:
What a great family photo of your trip to California! It looks like a nice vacation destination and perhaps especially enjoyable knowing you were financially prepared ahead of time! Thanks for sharing, Brittany! While going on a family vacation can be a great way to relax and recharge, make sure that it doesn’t result in financial stress later from using debt to cover costs.
As Brittany suggests, prepare a budget for your vacation ahead of time. Make your vacation a SMART goal – meaning Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time bound. Do your research and find how much the trip will cost including transportation, lodging, meals, entry fees or tickets, and souvenirs. Shop for the best deals, ask for military discounts, and check for special pricing available through your local Information, Tickets and Travel (ITT) office. Calculate your costs, determine your timeframe for saving, review how this goal fits into your family’s spending plan, and put money aside each month until you reach your goal. While Brittany’s tip to track planned and actual costs with a spreadsheet is a great suggestion, find the method that works best for you. Whether you use a spreadsheet, mobile app, or pen and paper, the key is to know your spending to stay on track. Enjoy your trip knowing that memories — not additional financial obligations — will follow you home.
