8 Money Moves I'm Making to Afford a Fun Summer Vacation (Without Feeling Broke After)

A few months ago, I found myself scrolling through flight deals while eating leftover takeout in sweatpants—classic. The deals were tempting. The wanderlust was real. But my bank account? Less so.

I didn’t want to skip summer vacation altogether (I needed the break, the vitamin D, the change of scenery), but I also wasn’t about to go into credit card debt over a beach photo. So I did what I’ve learned to do over the years: get creative with my finances—before the trip, not after.

Planning ahead doesn’t have to mean cutting every fun thing out of your life or living off rice and beans. It means being strategic, thoughtful, and maybe a little scrappy—in the best way possible.

These are the 8 money moves I’ve personally made (and recommend) to afford a summer vacation I can actually enjoy—without the financial hangover in September.

With travel costs still high, you might be wondering how people are paying for their trips. According to Bankrate’s 2025 Summer Travel Survey, nearly 29% of travelers say they plan to go into debt to make their vacations happen.

1. I Created a Separate “Vacation Sub-Savings” Account

This is one of those boring-but-brilliant money moves that changed the game for me. Instead of just saying, “I’ll set money aside,” I opened a free high-yield savings account labeled “Summer Travel Fund.”

It’s not connected to my main checking, and I don’t touch it unless it’s for vacation-related expenses. Just seeing the balance grow each week keeps me motivated. Even small deposits feel satisfying.

How I made it work:

• Set up an automatic transfer of $40/week from my checking account
• Used an online bank with no fees and 4–5% interest
• Added birthday cash and side gig money directly into this account

You’d be amazed at what happens when your travel fund isn’t competing with rent, groceries, and everyday life. It becomes real, tangible, and ready when you are.

2. I Built a (Flexible) Budget Based on What I Actually Want to Do

Here’s the mistake I used to make: booking a flight because it was cheap and then realizing I couldn’t afford to actually do anything once I got there.

Now, I reverse-engineer my trip. I pick a rough destination, look at what experiences I actually want (eating well, a mix of nature and city, not five museums a day), and build my budget around that, not just airfare.

My vacation budget typically includes:

• Transportation (flights + ground)
• Lodging (Airbnb or hotel)
• Food + drinks
• Experiences (tours, events, entry fees)
• Buffer (for emergencies or impulse activities)

Once I have a rough total, I divide that number by how many weeks I have until the trip—and that’s my target weekly savings. Yes, it’s basic math, but for me, clarity = commitment.

3. I Stopped Dining Out on Weekends—and Planned Low-Spend Alternatives

I love a good weekend brunch, but let’s be honest: between parking, tip, and that one mimosa that turns into three, it’s a $50 swing every time. Multiply that by four weekends a month? That’s most of a flight right there.

So I made a temporary trade-off: fewer restaurant meals on weekends in exchange for saving for the trip. I still have fun—I just get intentional.

What I do instead:

• Host a backyard picnic or potluck with friends
• Try one new recipe a weekend with a friend or partner
• Go for a coffee walk instead of brunch
• Use a meal kit or do a “clear the pantry” challenge

The mindset shift is this: I’m not missing out—I’m making space for something better.

4. I Took a Temporary Break From Subscriptions I Forgot I Had

Remember when we all signed up for a dozen streaming platforms, meditation apps, and freemium services during lockdown? Yeah, so do I.

I went through my credit card statement and canceled anything I wasn’t actively using, or could pause without penalty. I saved $65/month doing this. That’s $195 in three months, which easily covered my travel insurance or a night in a boutique hotel.

Tip: If you don’t want to cancel something forever, set a calendar reminder for your return date and pause the subscription instead. You’ll probably forget about it (which tells you something), and it’ll still be there when you get back.

5. I Sold the Stuff I Don’t Use (and Stopped Buying More of It)

This one took a weekend but paid off fast. I went through my closet and home office and listed everything I hadn’t touched in the last 6–12 months on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and Mercari.

Some of the winners:

• A dress I never wore ($45)
• Two used-but-decent headphones ($60)
• An old printer I didn’t realize still worked ($25)
• A mini espresso maker that I thought I needed ($40)

In total? I made almost $250. That’s half my plane ticket.

The bonus is psychological: once you start selling clutter, you’re less tempted to buy new stuff you’ll probably regret. I found myself asking, Would I sell this in 6 months? If yes, I don’t buy it.

6. I Turned Side Skills Into Short-Term Income

I didn’t launch a side hustle empire. I just looked at what I already do well—and offered it in a few casual ways. The key here isn’t creating new skills. It’s monetizing what you already know in a low-effort, short-term way.

Here’s what worked for me:

• Editing résumés for a few friends-of-friends ($75 each)
• Dog sitting for a neighbor who posted in our group chat ($40/night)
• Running errands for a friend recovering from surgery (they insisted on paying)

I made $300 in one month from these low-key gigs.

7. I Used My Credit Card for Points—But Paid It Off Weekly

This one’s a little controversial, so let’s be clear: this is only worth it if you’re paying your card in full every time.

I started using a travel rewards credit card to pay for everyday essentials (groceries, gas, pharmacy), but I immediately paid the balance weekly, so it didn’t get out of hand.

In three months, I earned enough points for a one-way domestic flight. Not bad for money I was spending anyway.

If you’re already using a card, make sure it’s earning something back—travel miles, cash back, or even gift cards. But again, only if you’re not carrying a balance. Interest cancels out the rewards real fast.

8. I Set a “Don’t Spend” Window on Travel Days

This one may seem small, but it made a big difference: I blocked off the first and last day of the trip as low- or no-spend days.

Instead of arriving and immediately going out to a pricey dinner or dropping $50 at the airport, I pack snacks, plan a walk or free museum, and give myself a decompression window.

What this does:

• Cuts down on rushed decisions (like panic-buying food or souvenirs)
• Extends the vacation feeling without the vacation cost
• Helps you ease back into normal life without blowing your post-trip budget

Basically, bookending your trip with intentionality keeps you from undoing all your good planning in the final 48 hours.

Final Thoughts

Summer vacation shouldn’t leave you broke, stressed, or playing financial catch-up through the fall. And you don’t need to choose between fun and financial responsibility. You just need to plan like you mean it—and give yourself time to make smart moves before you board the plane.

What surprised me most wasn’t how much I saved—it was how much lighter I felt traveling without money anxiety tagging along.

So start where you are. Pick one or two of these moves this week. The beach, the mountains, the passport stamp—whatever your summer dream is—will feel even better when you know it’s fully funded.

Emma Reynolds, Savings Advisor

Emma loves everything about saving money and finding ways to stretch every dollar. From starting your first savings account to maximizing retirement funds, she's always finding simple strategies to help you reach your financial goals.