If you’ve made the ‘New Years’ resolution to travel in 2015, you’re not alone.  There are a few things you’ll have to put into action to actually save for a vacation in 2015, but you can do it!  The vacation of your dreams is waiting but there’s one crucial thing that you have to do to successfully save for your vacation and that’s change your mindset.

By changing your mindset, I mean you’re going to have to accept and believe that vacations are necessary to your health and well-being.  We have to stop thinking that vacations are not important and can be quickly eliminated if something more important comes up.

Vacations are more than just great trips out of town.  Vacations and getaways are great stress relievers, help you build closer relationships, improve your mental health (by reducing stress) and they lower your chance of burn out. So the next time someone tells you not to go on vacation remind them a ‘vacation does the body good!’

In addition to changing your mindset we have a few more tips to help you achieve your goal of saving for a vacation this year.

• Be realistic with your savings amount. You and only you, know the amount you can afford to save for a vacation without negatively impacting your budget.  Being realistic with your vacation destination will help you be realistic with how much you can actually save.
• Incorporate it into your budget. Add your vacation savings amount into your monthly budget.  Re-work your budget and actually write it in as a line item.  Remember everything is attainable if you budget for it.
• Don’t trust yourself! Don’t trust yourself with the notion that you won’t spend your vacation savings if you add it to your regular savings account. Avoid temptation by opening a separate account without a debit/ATM card. Consider an online savings account or a ‘vacation fund’ account at your local credit union.

Always create a plan that is most beneficial to you and your family.  Remember if “you fail to plan, plan to fail!”  The vacation of your dreams is waiting!

Happy travels!

BMWK, where is one vacation spot you desire to visit?