What a dream to go on a vacation! It need not be anywhere far or fancy. Just taking a break from the usual hustle and bustle of life is already a vacation in itself. Then for those who have gone the extra step, a bucket list comes into the picture.
What a dream vacation is could differ from person to person. Some hope to sip piña coladas in the best beach destinations, others to camp and hike by lakes and mountains, while some long to hop into a snow adventure.
Everyone has a dream vacation, that’s for sure. But not everyone is as fortunate as others to have enough budget for it ASAP. Those with limited funds might be left thinking that their vision never has a chance to become a reality. Well, the truth is, not really. There are so many ways to change that with these four steps.
1- Take Out A Travel Loan
While taking out a travel loan may not necessarily be the best route, as going on vacation isn’t a ‘need’ that calls for a loan, there are instances when a travel loan can be useful. Say, you have enough cash and savings for tickets, accommodations, and whatnot. But, just in case, you need to add a little more to cover emergency expenses.
As long as you know you’ll not spend the amount covered by the loan (unless vital), there is no harm in applying for one. It not only helps make your dream vacation a reality but also gives that added layer of security, that should you need some extra cash during the trip, you’re covered.
In most instances, no emergency happens, so be responsible enough to use the amount you’ve taken from the loan to pay back the same loan. That way, you’re not stuck facing a financial debacle after your dream holiday.
2- Plan Ahead
There’s no winging a dream vacation at the last minute. All types of holidays turn out to be successful only through proper planning. This means planning way ahead, at least at a minimum timeframe of six months. Even if you already have a fixed destination in mind, times change, and so do places, so be sure always to check whether heading to that country or place is still a good idea for the time being.
Planning also allows you to develop an itinerary that lets you visit and see everything you’ve been looking forward to for that destination. On top of that, it also opens you up to the possibility of scoring better fares when you’re booking a few months ahead of schedule.
Furthermore, the cost savings by planning goes as far as now being able to time your trip accordingly. If you can go off-season instead of during the peak travel season of your destination, the price of fares, accommodations, and tours could even go lower.
3- Visit Underrated Places
There really is nothing wrong if your ‘dream vacation’ consists of places that are the usual popular tourist destinations. That is your dream, after all.
However, if your budget says otherwise and you’re just itching to go on a holiday, you may opt for underrated places this time. They’re less clad with tourists, so you don’t have to worry about the crowds. And it can also be a lot cheaper, all because it’s not as popular.
A good trick is to fly in from that less popular place, especially if you have to take a long-haul flight, which is more expensive. Trains, in Europe, in particular, are reasonably priced, and who knows, you might still be able to visit that dream destination but for a lower price. Other options include traveling by bus, car, or ferry if these are available.
4- Start Saving
As soon as you have an idea of when you’d like to go next on vacation, start saving ASAP. Don’t delay this. The sooner you start saving, the better you can put more into your travel fund. Every little bit counts, like opting to skip those daily coffee and snack takeaways and bringing your own to work, which makes a big difference when considering the total amount.
Every payday, designate a fixed portion of your salary for vacation savings. You may have to miss out on shopping, partying with friends, or eating out for now. But when the takeaway is that you can finally turn your dream vacation into a reality, that’s a sacrifice worth taking.
The Bottom Line
After rendering all those long hours of work just to pay bills over and over again tirelessly, surely you deserve a break too. There’s no better way to claim that than to fly or sail to your dream vacation. There’s always that temptation to put this off until later, but if you keep doing so, when will ‘later’ come? Take this advice: once you feel confident you’re ready for it, make that dream vacation a reality. The steps above can help you out.
