woo hoo have already $5.71 saved for my next cruise how do you save?

[kevinsgirl88]

how i save for cruises is by collecting change!! and putting at least 20 out of my pay every week (when i find a job)! how do you save? :D

[BND]

By putting money into a savings account every pay period. It's for vacations, household repairs, gifts. I save change and extra cash for spending money, tips, onboard account.

[ksadonnab]

Yep, I save spare change all year and use it for tips. We always pre-pay the standard tips but this is more enough to cover everything from cabs, porters, excursion tips and that extra thank you cash for cabin attendant, bartenders & wait staff who give special service.

[ksuds]

We set up a bank account just for vacations. We pay x.xx amount into it each pay as if it was a payment due.

[cruiseguy1016]

We have a vacation fund. $X from each pay check goes into it. A large portion of our overtime (when we get it) also goes into it. We use it for our land based vacations and our cruises as well.

[jakesmom04]

X amount from each of our paychecks goes into a "fun savings account". We also throw our change into a jug. We both work a part time job on an "as need" basis and that check is always put into the fun acount.

[sr4mjc]

ING account that gets money every paycheck just for vacations and entertainment, flights, excursions etc.

[printingchick]

how i save for cruises is by collecting change!! and putting at least 20 out of my pay every week (when i find a job)! how do you save? :D

 

Like you, I divert $25/paycheck into a different account. Over the course of a year (I can only afford to cruise once a year), that's about $1,200! It's my CRUISE ACCOUNT!

 

Sometimes, emergencies require withdrawals from that account, but I keep it in an entirely different bank so I rarely even think about that money. It's a direct deposit, so the money never passes through my hands.

 

I also use a Royal Caribbean Visa credit card that earns me points toward cruise discounts.

 

You mention when you find a job. You'll notice my last cruise was in 2011 and my next cruise is in 2014. I was unemployed for the 2011 cruise, but had already paid most of it off before the lay-offs hit and the trip was a graduation gift for my son, so we went. I've went back to work, after a full year of unemployment, about a year and a half ago. I booked my 2014 cruise the DAY it went on sale. It's killing me having to wait nearly TWO YEARS to take that trip, but I need to feel more financially secure before traveling again. Having it BOOKED has at least made me feel like it's within reach. The roll call for the cruise actually has decent participation, given how FAR in the future it is.

 

Plan ahead...that's my advice!!

[Jan_In_Maine]

My DH always laughs at the different things I do for cruise spending money

 

1. I save change that adds to approx $15/mon x 12 = $180.00

2. We have refunds on soda bottles/cans/wine $10/mon X 12 =$120

3. Every week when I buy groceries I up the check to almost $25.00 (less the difference of coins) - so about $24.50/week x 50 weeks = $1,225.00

 

Thats $1,525.00 for the year that I don't miss (and have fun playing with the money:rolleyes:). That usually does our tours, drinks, tips, hotel, other on-board spending, etc.

 

Airfare is usually part of my bonus or some years income tax return. Jan

[htjmom]

We have a saving account attached to our checking account and everytime we use our debit card it puts a dollar in the savings account, plus we have a direct deposit into the savings on the first of every month. Soon adds up and I don't have to make an effort to put it into savings, the bank just takes care of it.

[karinad]

Partly, by spending and charging on my RCCL Visa. We're not big spenders, but, if I'm going to spend, I charge, this way I make my money work for me!;)

[DMickey28]

I don't. I spend half of the year broke and then when we get our tax refund, big bonuses etc I pay things off and book a cruise. I really need to re-think this system and get more of a budget going! LOL.

[kevinsgirl88]

these are all great ideas!!! i think with my tax returns im ganna pay off my car (have a little left on it) and then use the rest for a cruise!!!! me and DH are moving back to SC once he is done the army which will be in Jan i beleave so i have already been looking for a job! and i always book about 2 years in advance so that way i can pay it off!:D

[crookedhalo]

Set up a savings account just for vacation money...BUT make it hard to get to (i.e. not accessible through the ATM or on-line banking);). That way you really have to make a decision to go and get that money:o. Every pay period have a bit of money sent there without ever seeing it....you know the old saying "out of sight, out of mind":cool:

[kevinsgirl88]

Set up a savings account just for vacation money...BUT make it hard to get to (i.e. not accessible through the ATM or on-line banking);). That way you really have to make a decision to go and get that money:o. Every pay period have a bit of money sent there without ever seeing it....you know the old saying "out of sight, out of mind":cool:

 

great idea!!! and also husband proof lol:p

[Cheryl H]

We live off my husband's income and anything I can make goes in the vacation account after paying our tithe to church. I teach piano lessons 4 nights a week and work for a local photographer. Also worked at the grade school for 2 years. Makes it more fun to work when it's for the vacation fund.

 

Also we use the points on our RCCL Visa to pay our onboard expenses and tips. We don't pay a penny interest...but we earned enough points to have 350 dollars shipboard credit last cruise.

[kevinsgirl88]

We live off my husband's income and anything I can make goes in the vacation account after paying our tithe to church. I teach piano lessons 4 nights a week and work for a local photographer. Also worked at the grade school for 2 years. Makes it more fun to work when it's for the vacation fund.

 

Also we use the points on our RCCL Visa to pay our onboard expenses and tips. We don't pay a penny interest...but we earned enough points to have 350 dollars shipboard credit last cruise.

 

thats awesome:D wish i could work for just my vacation fund!

[Bookish Angel]

We are 100% debt-free and live frugally so that we can travel well any time of the year.

[kevinsgirl88]

We are 100% debt-free and live frugally so that we can travel well any time of the year.

 

im almost debt-free just have my car payment :) cant wait for tax time to pay that off and book a cruise!

[dmdicato]

Yep, I save spare change all year and use it for tips. We always pre-pay the standard tips but this is more enough to cover everything from cabs, porters, excursion tips and that extra thank you cash for cabin attendant, bartenders & wait staff who give special service.

 

We save our change all year and use it to blow in the casino!

[BND]

We are 100% debt-free and live frugally so that we can travel well any time of the year.

 

If we were 100% debt free we could cruise every month:D

[martinm]

I let the cruise companies save it for me..

Don't all of you have a direct payment made from your payroll to your favorite cruise company?

 

:cool:

[kevinsgirl88]

I let the cruise companies save it for me..

Don't all of you have a direct payment made from your payroll to your favorite cruise company?

 

:cool:

 

 

LOL i wish!!! :D

[justluv2cruisewithhubby]

Instead of buying my lunch at work like everyone else I always bring my lunch and put aside that $25 a week it adds up fast $1200.00 per year enough for a nice cruise for me and DH.

[kevinsgirl88]

Instead of buying my lunch at work like everyone else I always bring my lunch and put aside that $25 a week it adds up fast $1200.00 per year enough for a nice cruise for me and DH.

 

thats another great idea!!1 that would save us $50.00!!! woo hoo great ideas!!:D