Budgeting for the Beach
Budgeting for the Beach
This is a picture of me and my husband in Crystal Beach in South Texas where we vacationed this summer. It is about two hours from where my husband is stationed. We chose this vacation spot because it was close enough to our home that we did not have to spend a lot of money to travel here since we were able to drive. We also searched for an online vacation rental instead of staying in a hotel. We went with some friends, so we were able to split our vacation rental expenses with them which made it super affordable for everyone.
We also went grocery shopping before we left on our trip which saved money because we were able to shop on base where groceries are cheaper, and we avoided the higher prices that come with a tourist location. Having food and drinks that we could make at our condo also saved on eating out at restaurants, so we were able to spend money on things we wanted like souvenirs and not have to come home with empty pockets. We spent the majority of our vacation at the beach but did ride the ferry (which was free!) over to Galveston one day and enjoyed different attractions.
We saved so much on this trip by just being prepared ahead of time and doing a little research on the cost of items before we went. Another good thing to remember before vacation as well is to set a budget before you go to help ensure that you do not spend more money than you need to.
MilSpouse Money
Mission Response:
Great job planning your vacation, Karissa! Getting away and enjoying a new place is always fun and it is even more enjoyable when debt doesn’t follow you home.
Karissa did a great job getting ready for their trip by determining how much they would spend ahead of time, saving by splitting lodging costs with friends, and preparing meals at their rented condo. These are great tips to follow. Vacation is a fun goal to save for; make it a SMART goal too! Make sure your goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Align your goal with your overall spending plan, determine your savings timeline, and make regular contributions toward your goal. For example, you have an entire year to save for your next beach vacation. You determine your total cost will be $1,500 so you will save $125 per month for the next year to reach your goal. Enjoy your vacation knowing that you don’t have worry about paying off high-interest debt when you get home.
