5 Easy Things You Can Do Today to Save for Your Next Trip

1. Stop shopping

I realize that shopping might not be everyone’s weakness, but it’s definitely mine, particularly when I’m stressed, bored, hungry, or tired. Close the tabs, empty the carts (digital and IRL), and unsubscribe from the emails. Determine what marketing tactics work for you, and do the exact opposite (e.g. if pretty displays in the store siphon your wallet, order essentials online or for store pickup, so you don’t have to walk further into the store than the customer service desk).

2. Use cash-back websites

If you do have to order something online, be sure to use a cash-back website like Rakuten (referral link) to earn a percentage of your purchase back in cash. So far, I’ve earned over $300 back from purchases I would have made anyway. The catch? You have to make sure you visit Rakuten before checking out through your online retailer (you can check out their partner retailers here).

3. Set up automatic transfers

Does your bank offer a higher-yield vacation savings account? Mine does, and I dutifully transfer $50 out of every paycheck into that account. I’m paid semi-monthly, so at the end of the year when the funds release, I’ve saved $1,200 for spending money for my trip without really feeling it. Personally, I like the act of transferring money into a separate line for my trip as it makes me proud to do something for the “future me.” But if you’re the type who struggles with saving or planning or may forget, be sure to set up an automatic transfer around your pay date. If your bank doesn’t offer such a feature, you can set up an account with a bank that offers a high-yield savings account, such as Ally, and transfer into that account.

4. Pack your lunch

The cost of convenience is really high. Lunches ordered out or catered in add up really quickly, and this is one area that can be easily trimmed (trust me, during the work-week, I order lunch out maybe five times a year). My suggestion is to find something you’ll enjoy eating that takes as much effort as ordering a meal. Maybe it’s a salad or wrap that’s quickly assembled, perhaps it’s a homemade “snack box” of crackers, hummus, nuts, cheese, and fruit, or maybe you make an extra portion of last night’s dinner and eat leftovers every day. For me, unless I have leftovers, I’m eating avocado toast and fruit for lunch. A loaf of frozen Ezekiel bread lives in my workplace’s freezer, and every day I throw an avocado (one of the “teeny-tiny” ones from Trader Joe’s that cost anywhere from $0.50-0.65 depending on the time of year) and a couple of pieces of fruit in my lunchbox and go. I also keep raw almonds and dark chocolate in my desk drawer along with frozen whole-grain waffles and nut butter and jam in the fridge for mid-afternoon noshing. My daily meals typically cost less than $1.50, and I dare you to find something at a restaurant made with fresh and healthy ingredients for less than that!

5. Remove all the coins from your wallet

This is another way to “hide it so you won’t notice it’s missing.” When Michael and I were poor, broke college kids we used to only pay with dollar bills and would put all of our change (and the change we’d find and collect) into our piggy banks to spend it on an anniversary dinner or getaway. I remember being giddy with excitement as we’d empty the piggies’ bellies into bags to bring to the bank. We’d usually wind up with anywhere from $80-100. If you break it down by day, it’s such a small amount, but the grand total is nothing to sneeze at. $100 can get you pretty far if you are willing to make the effort (just check out the New York Times’ Frugal Traveler column). I like the idea of spending it all in one place, too, as it has more impact. These days I am paying with cards more and more, but if you primarily deal in cash this is a pretty painless way to rack up some savings. Bonus points for naming your piggy banks – it makes it easier to remember to “feed” them!

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What is your favorite savings hack?