Many of us want to go on vacation in Orlando but who can afford it these days? With the rise of inflation, the family budget is getting squeezed more and more as time marches on. Not only have necessities like eggs, gas, and housing increased so has the cost to travel and have a good time.
As an Orlando based accountant, I see (probably more than anyone because of my profession), a significant decease in discretionary income which offer translates to less fun and entertainment. And as the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. And I might add, not only dull a dull boy, but probably tried and possibly burnt out too.
The No Vacation Nation
American’s have been struggling to go on vacation for quite some time now. Here are some eye popping facts to consider:
- Working more than 35 to 50 hours per week is detrimental to your health as the additional work hours increase your likelihood of heart decrease. And with that, comes increased mortality rates
- 26% of of survey takes have not gone on 2 consecutive weeks of vacation
Either of these stats should be enough to make one consider their work habits.
Benefits of Vacation Time
Now, that we got the bad news out of the way, let’s take a look at the benefits of vacationing. According to doctors, going on vacation can:
- Boost Your Brainpower
- Reduce Stress
- Inspire Creativity
- Inspire Heart Health
- Improve Sleep
So when it comes, to vacations, we must consider the cost of not going on vacation as well.
Tips for Affording Your Next Vacation
So even though money may feel tight now, our health is directly connected to our leisure time, we must make both time and money for enjoying ourselves, but how do we do it now when our family budget is being pulled so many ways?
Here are 7 Tips to Save $$ for Your Next Vacation
- Use Reward Points Credit Cards – Not all credit cards issue reward points for you to cash in on, but many do. Reward points are a great way to save up thousands of dollars per year (depending on your budget) for vacation without spending any extra money at all. If you use credit cards, why not earn some extra vacation money from the credit card company for free! I’m sure they can afford it.
- Round Up & Save Change – The grocery stores are always asking us to round up for good causes or donate change at the check out counter these days. But what if we begin to invest in our health and save that change for our next trip. This could bulk up our vacation fund to hundreds if not thousand of dollars per year.
- Make it Convenient – Perhaps you don’t want to travel far. Don’t let that disuade you. Take advantage of what your area has to offer. For example, in Orlando a Disney Vacation is just a hop, skip and a jump away.
- Book Ahead of Time – The more in advance you try to book your travel, the more opportunities you will have to get the best deals on things like hotels, vacation homes and airfare.
- Dedicate a Savings Account – Create an account to put all your vacation funds into. This way the funds don’t get spent on unnecessary items or impulse purchases.
- Get Group Discounts – If you happen to be traveling as a small or large group, many vacation hot spots will often provide special discounts. For example, there are Disney World Group Packages that get better prices on tickets and resort stays just because of the size of their group.
- Set a Vacation Budget – Outline a realistic budget for your vacation to help avoid over spending and credit card debt. These might only discourage from taking the next vacation and that would defeat the purpose.
We hope that you have found our 7 money saving vacation tips helpful for affording your next vacation. By going on vacation please remember that you are investing in your most precious asset, yourself!