From Budget to Boarding Pass

Wishing you could plan your next vacation but worried about how to afford it?

You’re not alone! The good news is that with the right budgeting approach, you can make travel a reality without financial stress.

Create a Budget

Every financial advisor will tell you the first step is understanding where your money is going. Start with a simple budget sheet:

1.  Calculate Your Income – If you have a steady salary, this is easy. If your income varies, estimate using an average.

2.  List Your Fixed & Variable Expenses – Fixed costs include rent/mortgage, utilities, car payments, and debt repayments. Variable expenses include groceries, gas, and entertainment.

3.  Use the Zero-Based Budgeting Method – Every dollar has a purpose. Any leftover funds should be allocated to debt repayment or savings—including your vacation fund!

If you already have a budget in place, great! Just make sure you’re prioritizing your travel savings along with other financial goals like retirement, home repairs, and education.

Smart Ways to Boost Your Vacation Fund

💰 Keep “paying” yourself – If you’ve recently paid off a car or credit card, continue making that payment—but deposit it into your vacation savings instead.

🏦 Open a high-yield savings account – Set up automatic transfers so your vacation fund grows without effort.

🎉 Save your “found” money – Tax refunds, bonuses, rebates, or unexpected cash gifts? Deposit them into your travel fund before you’re tempted to spend them elsewhere.

Need Help Getting Started?

If budgeting is new to you—or you’d like to revamp your approach—email me! I have a Monthly Budget Sheet I’ve personally found helpful in managing my household finances, and I’d love to share it with you. If you'd like to receive this type of content directly in your inbox, sign up for my weekly travel insight email here.

Your dream vacation is possible—let’s make it happen! ✈️🌍