When money is tight, the thought of going on vacation can seem almost impossible. After all, hundreds or thousands of dollars don’t just appear out of thin air, and, let’s face it, the lottery isn’t a reliable option. We all know that working extra shifts can make more money, but, when that isn’t a possibility, then you need to think more creatively. Everyone should get the opportunity to see the world, so here are six ways to get a little bit closer to your vacation fund goals.
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Round Up Your Purchases
Every time you buy something, no matter what it is, you should round up the cost of the purchase to the nearest dollar and transfer the extra change to a savings account. This won’t make a big difference right away, but, soon enough, you’ll see the money start to build. Doing this also makes things more expensive, so you may end up buying less stuff as a result.
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Sell Things You Make
Crafty and creative hobbies can be a goldmine in the right hands. Instead of keeping your creations to yourself, you should set up a store and sell them to whoever wants them. You can do this online or at craft fairs in your local area. As long as you sell your products for more than the cost of making them, you’ll have extra cash that you can put towards your travels.
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Clear Out Your Closet
For those that aren’t very creative, you could go and sell things you already own. Devices like phones and tablets can be sold in a number of ways, including to re-commerce sites, like Gazelle. You can check out some Gazelle reviews to help decide if this is the right option for you. Other household items, like old clothes and furniture, can also be sold online or in a garage sale.
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Live Off One Income
If you live as a couple, then consider living off just one income for a while. This way, you can put the other solely towards your travels, building your fund much quicker. This can be difficult at first, but, if you plan your budget well, and commit to it, then it will be much easier than you think. Carefully consider which income is the best and start to cut out any non-essential purchases.
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Get The Kids Involved
Once you make the transition from a couple to a family, you will have noticed how much more costly travel becomes. You have to pay for a whole other person and make expensive changes to accommodate them. To make this a little easier on you and your partner, you could ask your child to contribute some of their allowance towards the fund. This is also a valuable lesson.
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Start A Crowdfunding Campaign
Despite what many believe, crowdfunding campaigns aren’t just for young entrepreneurs trying to launch a business. In fact, anyone can try to raise money for almost any reason they choose. If you’re brave enough, you could create one of your own and ask friends, family, and strangers to put money towards your vacation.
Saving for a vacation can be tough, but, hopefully, with the creative ideas above, you’ll be off on your travel in no time.
