A little preparation can go a long way toward turning your vacation dreams into a reality while keeping your financial goals on track. Here are some helpful tips to make your summer vacation fun, affordable, and worry-free from start to finish.

Do Your Research:

Start by learning more about your destination. Research the best times to go, local events, and possible deals. Prices for travel and lodging can change based on the season or even the day of the week, so being flexible with your schedule can save you a lot. The more you know ahead of time, the better you can plan your budget.

Set a Vacation Budget Goal:

Once you know where you’re going, it’s time to build your budget. Think through everything you might spend money on, such as:

  • Transportation (airfare, gas, tolls, rental cars, rideshares)
  • Lodging (hotels, vacation rentals, tips)
  • Food and drinks (plus tips for staff)
  • Activities and excursions
  • Souvenirs
  • Currency exchange (if traveling abroad)

Try using the 50/30/20 rule to guide your spending:

  • 50% for essentials like travel and lodging
  • 30% for fun extras like dining and attractions
  • 20% for savings or unexpected costs

Be sure to write these numbers down or save them on your phone to help you stay on track while you're away.

Prioritize Expenses:

Book your big expenses first, like flights and accommodations. These can take up a big chunk of your budget, but booking early often means better prices. Once those are taken care of, you’ll know how much you have left for everything else.

Find Deals Where You Can:

When planning or booking the trip, be on the lookout for deals. A little creativity can stretch your travel dollars even further.

 

  • Tips to keep the costs of your trip low: Book flights on a Tuesday and travel during weekdays for lower fares.
  • Use flight comparison tools to spot the best deals.
  • Clear your browsing history or use incognito mode to avoid price jumps.
  • Use a rewards credit card that offers perks like travel points, cashback, or trip insurance.

 

Pro Tip: Jovia's Visa® Signature Elite Card lets you earn points for every dollar you spend and comes with a low interest rate. It’s a great way to get rewarded for spending on travel! 

Save Before You Go:

Even saving just a few dollars a day can add up fast. Cut back on little extras like takeout meals or daily coffee runs and put that money toward your trip. 

Travel Savings Tips:

  • Open a separate savings account just for your vacation.
  • Use tools like Jovia’s Savings Goal, which lets you set and track travel savings right from online or mobile banking. Learn more about Savings Goal.
  • Enroll in Stash My Cash, which rounds up your debit card purchases and moves the extra change into a savings account automatically. Enroll in Jovia's Stash My Cash!

 

 Every little bit counts, and these tools help you build your travel fund without extra effort.

Make the Most of Your Trip:

Remember, not every memorable experience has to come with a hefty price tag. Look for free or low-cost activities like outdoor adventures, community events, or museum-free days. When you’ve planned your budget ahead of time, you’ll enjoy your vacation without the stress of overspending.

 Summer Travel Safety Tips:

When traveling, it is also important to keep your money safe and your belongings close to you at all times. For more summer travel tips, check out our article on "Giving 'Safe' Travels a New Meaning." We also recommend notifying us when you're taking a trip. You can set up a travel notification here.