Saving money is not an easy task. There will always be your overhead, non-negotiable bills such as rent, or a mortgage, and food.
Then there is also the typical need-to-haves like electricity, water, and internet. Add all of that on top of saving for retirement, paying off student loans, and trying to have fun every once in a while, and it quickly becomes a bear to save anything extra.
While it might feel that there is no way you can possibly budget to save more, there usually is once you start tracking everything.
Below are 3 ways to save more money so that you can take the dream vacation you’ve always wanted.
Pay Yourself First
It turns out that you don’t have to have the most robust budget to save some extra cash, you just need to pay yourself first.
After all of your non-negotiables and need-to-haves are covered, set aside an extra $50, $100, or whatever you can manage toward your travel funds. And, most importantly, don’t touch it.
Then, with anything left over, that’s what you use to have fun with. This technique is often referred to as conscious spending by Ramit Sethi, and it works wonders, especially for those in the younger, credit card generation.
Start a Side Gig
Sometimes, in order to save more money, you simply have to make more. Picking up a part-time job can be a decent way to start putting away more money for that dream vacation.
You don’t have to go down the street to your local McDonalds and start working the drive-through window at nights.
With the internet, lots of side gigs are available to you from the comfort of your own home, with skills you already possess. Heck, look at what Timothy Sykes did trading penny stocks from his college dorm room.
According to this Timothy Sykes review, he made millions from his side gig trading stocks, and he didn’t know too much about it going in. By no means is everyone going to find that much success from a side gig, but you never know until you try.
Once you start earning extra money, put what you can toward your vacation, and don’t be afraid to treat yourself every now and then (assuming you pay yourself first).
Sell Your Own Stuff
Speaking of side gigs, a great way to earn additional money fast for savings is by selling what you already own.
Take a look at your closet, furniture, and any electronics you have laying around. Old iPhones and iPods can sell for $50 or more on different websites online.
Furniture can be quickly and easily sold on Craigslist for a pretty penny, and most of the time you don’t have your leave your house to do it.
If you’re pretty savvy with apps, you could start selling used clothes on Poshmark. Once you download the app and create your “closet”, you’re ready to start selling.
Some of the fastest cash you will ever make in your life could come from selling that which is right under your nose.
Bon Voyage
Saving more money takes a good bit of work and pre-planning, but it will all be worth it in the end. Using the 3 methods you learned above, put some extra cash into your savings and take the dream vacation you’ve always wanted.