by Wendy
Trying to save more money for travel? I love reading about the different methods people use to budget for vacations and trips, but am surprised by the strident tone some authors take on the subject. Personal finance is…well, personal, and the practicality and importance of travel varies for every person and every budget. Here are a few ways that Jack and I save money for travel – but note that it’s what works for us, personally. We’re a couple with no kids, both working full-time jobs. We agree that travel is a high priority but one that must be balanced with the expense of everyday life in a big city. We splurge on some things, save on others, and try to plan ahead. I’m not being Judge Judgerson if your approach is different.

First, some basics – Keeping your financial house in order makes it easier to go on a trip and relax. Living below your means is good advice. Pay bills on time, have an emergency cushion in case you get back from a holiday and your car stops working. Sometimes it’s helpful to set up (either in your mind or in actual accounts) separate “buckets” of savings for specific goals – or trips. Drop a certain amount from each paycheck in the bucket and soon it will become routine.

Rewards credit cards – Some travel writers love ’em, some think they’re not worth the hassle. We’ve had good experiences, earning free nights with Hyatt and free flights through United. A few notes: we pay off our balance each month. We like both companies and keep an eye out for ways to maximize points, but we do not exclusively book with either if we find a more appealing option. We should probably do a little research occasionally to compare the perks of other cards.

Costco – I was reluctant to pay to shop anywhere, but Jack convinced me of the value of this place. Buying gas at Costco results in significant savings that more than recoup the yearly $50 membership fee. And of course, this is the place to buy in bulk. As a shopping environment, I don’t particularly like it. There’s something about the florescent light, chilly warehouse and overwhelming abundance that makes me nervous. Like in a moment of weakness I’m going to buy a ton of crap I don’t need and become a hoarder. So, no impulse buying. No cheap three gallon jar of gummy bears that I’m craving that particular hour but will sit in a cabinet for the next two years. We only buy things in bulk that we really use – toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, for example. We’ve even found a good brand of coffee beans and frozen chicken pot pies that are easy dinners.

Cut back on “fun” shopping – Years ago, this was harder. I love fashion, and got in the habit of wanting a new item every couple of weeks. I was spending too much spare time and money on this activity. Plus wandering around a mall by myself is not nearly as fun as with my sisters, Mom or Grandmother. So I gradually cut back on shopping as a pastime. Now I try to wait until I need something specific or have a gift card to use. I’ve always liked browsing the aisles at Target, but like Costco, we are careful not to wind up with a cart of stuff. Same with Sephora for me – I’m like a kid in a candy store.

Use it up and Wear it out – I’m not going to lie, there are dresses I’ve worn for so many seasons, I’m about ready to set a match to them. But they are still in decent shape, suitable for work, and often expensive to replace – so they stay put in the rotation. Shop your closet. Look for stuff you haven’t worn in awhile. Resist the urge to purchase tons of new stuff before a trip. Keep your old Converse because you know they’re still awesome. Use what you have. Bought new makeup, shampoo or other beauty product that works ok but isn’t your favorite? Unless it’s truly hideous, use it up. Same with cleaning products, household supplies, and groceries in your fridge and pantry.

There’s no place like home – Our passion for travel is balanced by our contentedness to relax in our own home. We love going out and trying new restaurants, but we also genuinely like those weeknights or weekends where we make dinner and watch Netflix (and save money in the process). On average, we probably go to a handful of movies, concerts or plays a year. Tickets can be expensive and we like to save our entertainment budget for when we travel.

Black coffee and (kinda) cheap lunches – We love our daily black coffee, which is way cheaper than the fancy drinks. Actually I love the fancy drinks too, but generally order those when I have a Starbucks gift card (or have a really rough workday). I could probably save quite a bit by packing food for the office, but I always look forward to a lunch break when I can walk around outside and get a little treat – most often a healthy salad or sandwich.

Holiday gifts – Usually, Jack and I keep gifts to each other very low-key. Ignore commercialism. We know what we really want is a trip, so we might put a $50 cap on our Christmas present exchange, write anniversary cards, or skip the Valentine’s Day hoopla and go for Thai takeout instead.

More about saving vs. splurging – Jack and I actually have fun trying to challenge ourselves to spend less and accumulate less stuff. We don’t have cable or the newest gadgets. Instead of a gym membership, we go walking together, or Jack jogs, or I workout to a old pilates video. We don’t have a flashy car and aren’t worried about redecorating. When talking about shoes with a friend once, she remarked, “we’ve outgrown Payless.” Not me! Sure, Louboutin heels are gorgeous, but practically equals airfare to Paris! But there are splurges too. Jack will spring for nice ingredients from Whole Foods. We both love buying books, and we love good bottles of wine. I like getting my hair blown out at a salon and spend money on highlights every couple of months. Sometimes I wait a little too long between appointments, but remind myself that it’s cool to not give a rat’s.

Research – We do a fair bit of research before booking hotels and airfare, but again, it’s about balance. We don’t stay in the cheapest or most expensive hotels. A nonstop flight might be more expensive, but often worth the comfort and time saved. We look for deals but don’t nickel and dime everything – after all, this is what the travel savings are for! I’m not preoccupied trying to calculate the Euro/Dollar exchange once I’m in Europe – it is what it is. When I’m on a trip, it’s time to enjoy the setting – whether it’s a resort with spa and room service, chic city hotel with nearby shopping and world-class museums, an epic tapas bar crawl while admiring a historic town, ordering mojitos by the ocean or pool, or booking ski sessions in the great outdoors.

So what do you think? Have you tried any of these methods to save money for travel, or do you have new ones to recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments below!