We’re officially kicking off the summer countdown here in Austin, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Between patio lunches, sunset cocktails, and well-deserved vacays, summer certainly earns the spot for the most glorious season.
Whether you’re planning a beach vacay with the kiddos, a quiet spa weekend, or a relaxing staycation, we all deserve to splurge during our break from reality.
Keep scrolling for some creative ways to approach summer with extra cash in your wallet for that getaway you so desperately need.
Use an app to help you save automatically.
It takes time and effort to save toward your goals, which is why I’ve been loving Qapital, a free app that makes saving fun and effortless. All you have to do is pick a goal (in this case, your summer vacay), and customize how you want to accomplish it. For example, Qapital can round up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar. Another idea is to instruct Qapital to transfer cash every time you get paid. Or set a budget for a special category and automatically save what you underspent. Qapital can also move cash into your vacay fund every time you hit the gym by connecting to your fitness apps. The options are endless! The app is super intuitive and will help you hit your savings goal before you know it.
Separate your summer savings fund.
Instead of mixing your savings with your everyday checking, open a high-interest savings account dedicated to your vacay fund. Then there’s no question which funds are intended for what purpose, and you won’t be tempted to blow your savings on something else. Plus, you’ll earn more interest than your checking account offers. Online banks like Synchrony Bank and Marcus by Goldman Sachs offer interest rates in the 2.25% range. That compares to 0.01% on most large bank checking accounts!
Use cash until you depart.
Swiping a credit card is easy…dangerously easy. It enables frivolous spending by eliminating the emotional tug of cash leaving your pocket. So instead of relying on plastic, challenge yourself to spend only cash until your summer vacay. You might have to forego some credit card points, but it will all be worth it once you see how much you can save when you’re spending a tangible, finite resource. Plus, you can apply all your extra cash to elevate your summer getaway.
Make some money on the side.
In this age of technology-enabled side hustles, making extra cash is easier than ever. Consider selling some of your old clothes or jewelry with Tradesy. Earn cash and rewards for taking surveys on Swagbucks. Sell your unused gift cards on Raise. Make money with Ebates when you shop online. If you’re a dog lover, walk some furry friends on Rover. Before you know it, you’ll be jet-setting off with some fun-money lining your pockets.
Find discounted airfare.
Has anyone else noticed that flights keep getting more and more expensive? Plus, the sheer number of travel sites and search engines is enough to overwhelm the most experienced traveler. My go-to method of finding cheap airfare is Hopper, a free app that makes your booking experience so much smoother. It tracks flight prices and uses that data to predict the optimal time to purchase your route. Hopper will also suggest alternative dates and times that will save you money. If you’re not ready to book right away, Hopper will notify you as prices rise or fall to help you make an informed buying decision.
