Planning a vacation? Here’s how to save money and avoid scams
Vacation planning, regardless of if your destination is local or international, should be a hassle-free experience. And saving money is an essential part of it.
PHOENIX — Vacation planning, regardless of if your destination is local or international, should be a hassle-free experience. And saving some money certainly helps you savor that weekend getaway or once-in-a-lifetime trip.
From setting clear goals to careful budgeting to payment methods, Arizona Central Credit Union (ACCU) is there to make your travels as convenient as possible.
Vacationing starts with proper planning
Besides determining your destination, it is important to be realistic about length of stay and prepare for any unexpected expenses.
It’s one thing to pack clothes for four nights, and it’s another to have your car unexpectedly break down and require emergency repairs. That being said, setting a higher budget or bringing extra cash on your vacation can turn a nightmare scenario into a minor inconvenience.
Another pregame strategy is reassessing your overall savings plan. You might ask yourself the following questions: Am I meeting my monthly saving goals? Are there expenses (eating out, monthly subscriptions, etc.) I can cut out to afford this vacation?
More than just removing non-essential expenses, you can even look into making some cash via side hobbies like photography or hair cutting.
Make a vacation-specific savings account
Tracking getaway spending doesn’t have to be a guessing game.
At ACCU, you can create a vacation savings account so that your budget is not a mystery when it comes down to crunch time. This separate folder also helps you not accidentally pull from your primary savings account.
Steps to avoid scams
When approaching any travel agency, hastiness is never your friend. Scammers — big and small — make their living off of making people acting out of fear by imposing harsh deadlines and impersonating major bankers or government agencies.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, you can follow three steps to defend against any malicious attack or false promise.
- Always ask for a copy of cancellation and refund policies before agreeing to any down payment.
- Really do your research on the travel agency, hotel, etc. to avoid getting attached to fake vacation package. This could include reading customer reviews online or confirming the location of a hotel.
- Never pay by methods that are hard or impossible to track such as wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Student on a budget?
A multi-year commitment to a university doesn’t have to prevent you from going on a spring break backpacking trip.
Like anyone else — but perhaps even more critical for a student — keeping an airtight budget is essential. ACCU recommends students use a budgeting app, spreadsheet or physical notebook to understand their spending habits before and after travels.
With an established budget in place, students should then seek out “budget-friendly” accommodations and travel locations. Using websites like Couchsurfing, students may even find lodging with local hosts outside of traditional hotels.
Being a student also has its perks, with many travel discounts at your fingertips. Price-adjusted flights and hotels are available through StudentUniverse and StudentBeans, among others.
For more information…
Explore a variety of Arizona Central Credit Union savings and checking account options online.
You can also download the Arizona Central Mobile Banking app, call 866-264-6421 or visit one of nine ACCU branches throughout the state.
Comments