7 ways to start saving for your dream cruise

A well-planned trip will create shared memories impossible to value in cents and dollars. Nevertheless, trips do cost money. Here are some tips on saving for that trip of your dreams.

After all, a little extra thought on saving more towards your vacation budget goes a long way to make a trip even more memorable.

So let’s get going – the solution is to save for that trip well in advance.

Here are our 7 top tips on how to start to save to reach your goal.

1. For the cash-flow wealthy individuals

If you have a job that pays you enough to live well – Congratulations! 

To start saving for your vacation, it may be as simple as using public transportation instead of expensive city parking or skipping that cappuccino on your way to work. And choosing to put some of your salary into savings will result in a little going a long way if you are consistent and start in good time.

2. The 30-day rule and how it helps you start saving for that trip

It is straightforward, and it works. When you want to make a purchase, set the money aside for 30 days. If you still want to buy it after 30 days, go for it. If not, you still have the money you set aside.

So why is this clever? First, setting aside the money for 30 days before making the purchase is an excellent test to see if you can survive without this money.

Secondly, and more importantly, within a week or so, most of us would forget about making most purchases, and then we save the money instead.

Try it, it does work, and it will help you start saving for that trip in no time.

3. Start saving using automatic transfers from your account to your savings

Set up an automatic transfer, and then let it do its thing. 

I look at it like this: my first expense after my salary is to pay myself for savings and investments.

Do you think you cannot afford to do it? Start with a small amount. But do start saving for that trip today.

4. Trim and cut…Check what you are paying for every month 

Take inventory of what you are spending your money on. Some things you may be able to cut altogether. Great! However, with other service providers – typically where you have been a customer for a while, you need to contact them. You will be surprised that the prices are lower today, and guess what – they forgot to tell you.

I saved close to 25% when I questioned our monthly spending on our home security system, home and car insurance, and cell phone services.

5. Look at your debt and see if there is money to be saved

If you have expensive credit card debts – look into Balance Transfer credit card deals.

Do you have expensive consumer or personal loans? Look into consolidating your loan into a more favorable type of loan.

Sure, you say, great advice, but my credit score will not get me any good deals. You just answered your question. You need to start by improving your credit score and your credit history. 

Do you have a mortgage? Make a call and set up a meeting. There may be a better deal to be had.

6. A budget will keep you motivated to help you start saving for that trip

Using a budget will give you two things.

A budget will help you control your spending and make you aware of how much you spend on, for example, coffee on the run.

It can be quite an eye-opener when we realize how much we spend on unnecessary things. Because, after all, something like parking, snacks, coffee, and other habits that do not register can be pretty costly when added up over time.

So, get a budget and go easy on yourself over the first couple of weeks. Remember that it is a learning process.

7 Make some extra income

So far, we have talked about how to spend less or be smarter with our money. This is worthwhile and necessary, but there is also a limit to how much you can save. Right?

After all, you could theoretically never save more than what you spend. So there is a limit. But when it comes to making extra money, there is no limit to how much you can earn. 

There are easy ways to make some extra money online with no start-up costs. You are trading your time for money. This is a side hustle rather than building a business. 

Then there is, of course, also the online business where you need to spend some money.  

If nothing else, take one thing from this article. It is all about making smart, deliberate decisions that slowly but surely move you in the right direction.