One of my
fondest memories of growing up was the time we took a big family holiday to
QLD. I remember Mum and Dad saving for months and months, we got an extra week
off school (which was very exciting) and went on a 3 week holiday up the coast staying
in cabins in caravan parks along the way.
We kids saved our pocket money so we had special spending money on the
holiday. It was such an adventure and a
real experience for us all.
Whether it is
an overseas holiday or a camping trip up the coast the question is how can you save
for that special holiday which allows you to spend some real quality time
together and build some family memories?
One of our
favourite things as a family was to find the biggest money tin, (you can get
them from the $2 dollar shop) and we would empty our pockets of change each
day. Any money we saved went into the
tin.
Here are some
other tips and tricks to help you save some extra dollars: every dollar counts
for the little extras for your next holiday
1.
Cut
down on your day-to-day spending. Items like: take-away lunches and coffee,
that coke at lunch, clothes, take-away dinners etc.
2.
Look
at your bills: is there cheaper car insurance? Do you really need all those
channels on Austar? Is there a better mobile phone plan or home phone plan your
family could be on? These sorts of
things are definitely worth looking into if you haven’t done it for a while.
3.
Lots
of unused items in your house? EBay-it!
Also consider a garage sale (ask the neighbours to join in), Gumtree or buys
swap sell sites. Toys the kids have grown out of, baby goods, exercise
equipment you no longer use – get rid of it!
4.
Travel
at cheaper times. If you can, go outside the ‘peak’ season which is usually school
holidays. You can quite often get a great deal during off season.
5.
Sign
up for newsletters so you find out about any special deals or news on your
holiday destination, such as the BIG4
South West Rocks Newsletter.
6.
Don’t
buy presents for each other. For your anniversary, Christmas and birthdays put
that money towards the holiday account. Likewise, cut down on what you buy the
kids – of course you’ll need to get them a few presents but don’t they have
enough toys already? A family holiday will last longer in their memory than yet
another toy.
7.
Open
a separate “holiday” account at the bank. ING have a high-saver account and if
I want to transfer money I don’t get it until the following day which makes me
think twice when I think about “dipping into” my savings!
8.
Learn
to say “no”. When the kids want that ice-cream or treat when you are out, or to
go to the movies every weekend or another costly activity – do something free
instead like the beach or park. Explain to them the money is being saved for a
family holiday.
9.
Buy
clothes and presents in sales. If you are super-organised and buy weeks or
months in advance anything you need it will save you loads of money in the
long-run.
10. Sit down together a plan a budget –
this budget calculator on the Money Smart website might help.
Of course how
much time you have to save and where you plan on going will determine how much
you need to save. Be realistic with how much you can save and plan a holiday
accordingly. That all-expenses trip to Barbados might just have to wait!
And remember,
it all counts! You will soon get into the practise of cutting your spending and
remembering that it is all for that dream family holiday will make it a lot
easier.
You can hear
the squeals of excitement when you eventually open up that tin and as a family
count what you have saved - you will be amazed.
Happy holiday
saving. See you soon.
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