In this current economic climate, families are looking for ways to save money every way they can.
Typically, the family vacation is the first thing to get cut from the yearly budget.
Families think that they can skip time together and put off that vacation for another year.
However, children are only young once and you never know what the next year will bring.
You can't put a price on time spent together as a family, so perhaps it is wise to reconsider eliminating the vacation entry from this year's budget.
Try these creative ways to save for a family vacation.
Put all of your spare change in a jar.
This is the easiest and most convenient way to save money for that family vacation.
Find a large, clear jar that you can drop your spare change into anytime you hear those loose coins jingling in your pocket.
Any unexpected money that comes your way can go in this jar as well.
You'll be surprised as to how quickly the money adds up.
Have a garage sale.
In this economy, people are looking for ways to find things they need at discounted prices.
Selling your gently used things at a garage sale is a great way to make money.
Old furniture, out of date clothes, kitchen gadgets, and books that you aren't using anymore can bring a good amount of money to add to that jar and get you that much closer to saving for your family vacation.
Sell some things on eBay or Craig's List.
If you do not sell everything at your garage sale, go ahead and try to sell them on eBay or Craig's List.
If you have furniture that can be sold, stick to local listings on Craig's List so that you do not have to worry about shipping.
Smaller or more unusual items can be sold on eBay if you are willing to prepare the items you are trying to sell.
The money you make from selling these items can take a big dent out of the amount you need to save for next year's vacation.
Put your go-out-to-eat-money in the jar as well.
Every time you are ready to go out to eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, eat at home.
Take the money that you would have spent at that specific restaurant you were planning to go to and put it in the jar.
Get an on-the-side job.
If you are really motivated to get your family on that vacation this year, get a job on the side.
Babysitting, mowing lawns, or walking dogs can bring in extra money while allowing you to keep your regular job.
If you have the opportunity with your normal job to get some overtime work, you can make even more money to put toward your savings.
You will only have to take on the extra work until the vacation money is saved.