How to Afford Your Next Family Holiday

Taking your family on holiday can be an expensive proposition, trust me, I know. While weekend getaways may be affordable, traveling to popular destinations like Disneyland or treating yourself to a Caribbean cruise are probably out of reach for most. There are ways to save money, some of them easy to implement, that can make family holidays possible. You don’t necessarily have to take out a substantial loan from your neighbourhood bank to make your next holiday possible. Here are just a few easy ways you could make your holiday dreams a reality.

Start saving now

We all have to work for a living and our day to day costs certainly take priority over spending money on luxuries. Don’t worry, it’s still possible to save like a pro on a regular basis. Many of us already do this for our children’s future education, or for our own retirement. Why not start saving for your dream holiday now too? Small savings add up over time and with a little perseverance that holiday may be affordable in the future.

Settle for less

As luxurious it would be to stay at a five-star hotel with all the amenities, it’s just as possible to enjoy a holiday with less lavish accommodations. Instead of staying at a hotel, why not check out if there are hostels at your destination? Another possibility is booking short-term lodgings through Airbnb, which will enable you to experience cities around the world like the locals.

Likewise, think about how long you want to go for. Whilst it would be wonderful to take a whole month’s holiday, a shorter trip can be just as enjoyable. Make the most of your limited holiday time and plan your itinerary in advance. If you consider all alternatives, you can find the lowest prices and the best deals without too many compromises.

Extend your business trips 

For some,including myself in my past life, traveling for business is a regular part of the job. And while others may envy the travel to interesting destination, the reality is actually one of long business meetings and unexciting hotel rooms. Work may be work, but why not combine work with a family holiday? If you’re staying at a hotel for meetings or a conference, invite your family to join you on the weekend. Your travel expenses have already been covered and staying an extra day or two will make your return to the office, after a short break, much more productive.

Make your priorities

There is no avoiding the fact that families have expenses, but it is possible to prioritise where our hard-earned money should go. For some, a family holiday is top priority, while for others, replacing the aging family car, or purchasing a new dining room table, may be more important. Whatever you decide this time, your family vacation may be top of your list next year.

Maybe you’ll get lucky and win the lottery

Winning a lottery jackpot might seem out of reach, but that shouldn’t stop you from buying a ticket. Setting a small weekly budget for lottery play may not be the best financial advice, but it does give you the chance to make your dreams come true. You should only play according to how much you can afford. If you can’t get to a retail outlet to purchase your tickets, you can buy tickets online at theLotter. Playing the lottery can give you a burst of weekly excitement and may one day help you afford your family vacation, well, someone has to win it!

Don’t be discouraged!

You can implement some of these tips right away, while others may sound like wishful thinking. On the one hand it’s good to dream, and on the other, it’s a good feeling to take steps to make those dreams come true. Your family deserves a holiday at some point. If it doesn’t happen today, it will certainly happen tomorrow.