I am going to start with the back story to this piece “Here’s How To Save Money To Travel.”  The other day my friend called me asking me when I was going to purchase my ticket for Houston, Texas. I reluctantly told her “Tuesday “as I sat on my bed sadly looking at my bank account.

My travel fund was running low. Like really low. Like I’m so poor I will be eating rice for dinner after I purchase this ticket. (Okay maybe not really that bad but the idea was my travel fund was not where it was three trips ago.)

And I needed to re-evaluate my account. That’s when the thought hit me. I have been telling you about how great travel is but have yet to help you save for it. So, here’s how to save money to travel.

Don’t forger to budget

Okay, here’s a secret about me. I love to budget. I mean like it’s the best way I have found that has allowed me to save money. And if you are not budgeting then sis I have no idea what to tell you. You are making money and just throwing it away. Budgeting helps you to be a good steward of your money.

While you are being a good steward you get to see where you have an excess in your budget that you can save and use to travel. From now on every time you think about traveling. I want you to hear me yelling the words BUDGET in your ear.

Use a bill Calendar 

Another great way to save is by using a bill calendar. That is you put all of your bills on a calendar. I suggest digital so that you can set reminders. This way you are aware of when a bill is due.

How does this help you? Well, it allows you to see where your money is going. Giving you a better picture of how much money you have and how it’s being spent. It’s like a small cheat to a budget. This way you can better manage your money and save money in that travel fund.

Set up a separate savings account 

I have a bad habit. When money is put in my hands, my first instinct is to spend it. That is why I recommend that you open a separate savings bank account where you automatically deposit money for travel in it. This way your fund is adding up and you are saving.

If having a separate savings account is not your cup of tea. Then think of another way you can put money away so that you don’t really have access to it. I suggest that you sign up for the 365 savings account. An online saving account that allows you to save money by putting money away every paycheck. The only one I know and have used is the one by Capital One.

Use a coin jar

Secret number two about me. (I feel like I am really baring my soul in this post.) I have a coin jar. Yes, an actually jar that I save coins in. Maybe, it’s more like a bottle but nonetheless, I’m saving all my coins.

I would take cash and use it throughout the week. Any change that I get I save. At the end of the week, I put all the changes in my coin jar. This way I am forced to use cash and I am saving my change. There is an online version of this with most banks, but I don’t want to pay them the fee. Plus, I like to see my money filling up the jar.

Once I have successfully filled the jar. I cash the money and put the money in a travel fund, or I treat myself to a weekend getaway. Honestly, this is how I travel.

Travel credit cards?

Third secret. (At this point I am an open book.) I hate credit cards. I personally run from the thing. I stay away from it as I stay away from something evil. With that being said if you are not afraid of them like me and you know you have good self-control. I recommend a credit card that has travel miles on it or one with points.

This way you can use the miles or points to pay for airline tickets and hotels. I actually think this is a good idea. I have a friend who did it and she loved it. She was always going to Japan on her points. BUT, here’s my disclaimer. Use credit wisely.  I am not a financial advisor this is just a recommendation.

There you have it. All my secrets to saving money to travel. Happy travels.

Keep up with Mernelle on her blog here, and more travel posts, here.