Let’s Plan a Summer 2025 Vacation Together!
Planning vacations can be fun and exciting, but also intimidating! Knowing what to do, where to go, how to budget, and what souvenirs to get can be a lot. So, we are here to help. Let’s plan a Summer 2025 vacation together!
Where Do You Want to Go?
The first thing to decide is where you want to go on vacation! One recommendation is to write out several options. For example, taking a family trip to Lake Tahoe, visiting Florida and going to Universal Studios, or going to Costa Rica to try the famous zip lines might all be on your bucket list. So, write them down! For each place you want to visit, consider planning out these things:
- When do you want to go?
- What do you want to see or do when you go there?
- Where will you stay while there (camping, hotel, family…)?
- How will you get there (plane, drive, boat…)?
- How will you plan for food (eating out, packing…)?
- Who will you be going with?
These are just some of the questions you can ask yourself to get a better understanding of what the entire trip would entail. You can use apps, such as Wanderlog, or create your own system like a spreadsheet to keep track of these different plans.
How Will You Save Up For It?
Next, it’s time to see what you can afford and how you can start saving for the trip! Thankfully, UCCU has a few resources it’s members can use to save more efficiently.
After asking yourself the questions above or your own personal questions, you get a better feel of what the prices would be. For example, for travel, you can look at the prices of flying and driving. Maybe tickets to Florida cost $400 round trip and driving will cost you $300, so you decide to drive. If you do this for other categories, like comparing places to stay and where to get food/if you should pack food, you will get a great understanding of how much this trip will cost.
Let’s say your Florida trip is going to cost you and your partner a total of $1,200. You might be wondering how you are supposed to save up for this while already worrying about bills and other things to save for. This is where UCCU’s Savings Goals tool comes in handy.
Here’s how it works:
- 1. Go to this feature in the app or online banking and choose “Start a Custom Goal.”
- 2. Choose “Vacation” in Category.
- 3. Make a personalized account name for this goal!
- 4. Put the amount you want to save (in this case, $1,200).
- 5. Set your goal target date.
- 6. Save Goal!
- 7. Choose the frequency at which you want to save (it gives you a recommended amount and you can choose how often you want to put money aside).
- 8. Choose the account you want the money to be pulled from.
- 9. Choose the day you want the money to be pulled.
- 10. Choose the start date for when you want money to start being pulled.
- 11. Submit transfer!
Now, whenever you log into your account, you can see that goal and how close you are as you put more money in. This automatic savings tool can be a game changer in planning for things like a Summer vacation.
Other Ways to Save
Another way to save money for and on this trip is getting the 4-3-2-1 Cash Back Credit Card. This card gives you:
- ✈️ 4% on Travel
- ⛽ 3% on Gas
- 🛒 2% on Groceries
- 🛍️ 1% on Everything Else
That means you can earn points on hotel purchases, stopping for gas along the way, expensive airport food, and those souvenirs you pick up along the way! Take advantage of these savings and apply for this card today!
Another way to save is by getting an Elevated Checking Account. This upgraded checking account has countless benefits its members can use, including:
- Roadside Assistance
- Food & Fun Discounts (includes Amusement Parks & more)
- Free ATMs Nationwide
- Credit Card Cash Back Boost
- Early Direct Deposit
- And More!
You can use these tools as you travel, which can save you money and stress. Whether you are driving on the highway to your destination and get a flat tire or need some cash and get some easily with no fee, these benefits help you spend more time on your travels and less time worrying about money.
Check out these benefits and how you can qualify to access them at no-cost to you!
What Next?
Now that you know where you want to go, how much to save up, and other ways you can save on your trip, it’s time to start packing! You’ve accomplished the hardest part—planning. Now, pat yourself on the back and get excited! Start researching things you want to see and do—like best beaches to visit or the most popular local restaurants to eat at.
Remember, the more you plan out your budget and ways to save, the more you will be confident in things working out.
Safe travels and have fun on your vacation!
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