Saving for that Dream Vacation...

Everyday Tips to Save for that Dream Vacation!

Vacation packages are more affordable than ever! A great number of Americans are choosing to take a ‘staycation’ (a stay at home vacation) instead of a traditional vacation. But, more Americans are still enjoying their summer vacations to exotic destinations abroad and here at home. This summer’s popular vacation destinations include Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii and our favorite Miami! You are probably thinking “I can’t afford to go to the Dominican Republic!” Yes, you can!
We spoke with personal finance expert and credit repair specialist Ms. Harrine Freeman (of H.E. Freeman Enterprises), to get a few tips on saving for that dream vacation.

Ms. Harrine Freeman created a Vacation Savings Guide, to help us get started.

1. Create a budget for your vacation. Don’t charge it! You will spend months even years paying off that high interest rate credit card.
2. Create a special travel/vacation fund. Deposit all extra money from a part-time job, bonus from your full-time job, any salary increases into your vacation fund.
3. Comparison shop online for your vacation package. You will save more money by buying everything (airfare, hotel & rental car) together versus purchasing individually. Also consider all-inclusive vacation packages (airfare, hotel, all meals & drinks) and save even more money!
4. Reduce/eliminate a few weekly expenses! For example if you and your sweetheart dine out every Friday and Saturday on average meal of $40 (just as an example friends!). Eliminating one night of dining out a week saves you $1,920 a year! ($40 x 4 weeks = $160 x 12months = $1,920).
5. Bring you lunch from home a few days instead of eating out everyday! The average cost of lunch is around $8. Bringing your lunch from home 3 days a week saves you $24 a week, $96 a month, which equals $1,152 a year!
6. Let’s not talk about our coffee or Starbucks addition! I wouldn’t dare take that from you friends! Seriously consider brewing your own coffee before leaving for work in the morning, it will save you money in the long run.
7. Luxuries are not necessities! Consider reducing household expenses such as the premium channels on your cable/satellite television bill. By eliminating one premium channel from your satellite television package can save you an estimated $168 a year ($14/month for one premium channel x 12 = $168). Other ways to reduce household expenses include using energy efficient appliances and cutting back on unused home and cell phone options.

If we followed tips 4, 5 & 7 alone, we would have $3,240 in our dream vacation fund! That’s enough for a lavish vacation and shopping money ladies. Are you with me? (LOL) These are just a few ways to add money to the dream vacation fund. For more great money saving tips, please visit www.hefreemanenterprises.com or call Ms. Harrine Freeman today for a personal consultation 301-280-5923.

Ms. Harrine Freeman is a Personal Finance Expert, Speaker and Author of the successful financial guide “How to Get Out of Debt: Get an “A” Credit Rating for Free.”

The Travelin’ Diva --

Please visit Reservations Travel Guide website: www.reservationsmagazine.com