The good news? You don’t need a big travel budget to take a well-deserved break. With a bit of planning and some smart money moves, you can enjoy your vacation without blowing up your bank account.
1. Budget before you book
Spontaneous travel sounds great… until you realize you didn’t plan for hotel taxes, childcare costs, or how much that daily iced coffee habit will hit your wallet. Before you click “book now,” take a step back and sketch out a full trip budget, including:
- Flights or gas
- Accommodation
- Food (yes, snacks count)
- Activities and tours
- Transportation at your destination
- Travel insurance
- Extras like souvenirs, tours or last-minute add-ons
Add a buffer of 10–15% for those “oops, didn’t think of that” expenses. Especially useful if you’re travelling with kids or extended family.
2. Set up a trip savings account
A separate account just for your vacation fund makes it way easier to save—and way harder to “accidentally” spend that money on something else.
You can even automate it: Set up a weekly or monthly transfer so your trip savings build quietly in the background. You won’t miss $25 a week, but after a few months, you’ll be in a much better position to travel without racking up debt.
You can even give your account a fun name like Beach Mission 2025 or Disney Ops to keep you focused and motivated.
3. Treat your trip like a goal, not a gamble
Your vacation isn’t a random expense—it’s a goal, just like saving for a house, building an emergency fund, or maxing your TFSA.
Ask yourself:
- When do we want to go?
- How much will it cost?
- What do we need to set aside each month to get there?
If you’ve got a partner, sit down and plan it out together. If you’ve got kids, get them involved with a countdown calendar. It’s a great way to get them excited and teach them about saving money too.
4. Big fun doesn’t need a big price tag
You don’t need a five-star resort to make core memories. Consider these ideas:
- Road trip to national parks or provincial campgrounds
- Staycation with day trips, backyard camping, or special family outings
- CAF discounts at hotels, attractions, and car rentals (always ask!)
- Off-season travel with smaller crowds and lower prices
- Credit card points that can cover flights or hotels (just make sure you’re not carrying a balance)
Bottom line: A fun, meaningful vacation doesn’t have to mean going far or spending big.
5. Dodge the vacation debt trap
It’s tempting to put everything on a credit card and deal with it later—but interest charges can turn that trip into a financial headache that lingers long after your tan fades.
Try this mindset instead: Save now. Relax later. Have no regrets.
And if you do need to use your card for part of your trip, no shame—just make sure you’ve got a plan to include the extra expense in your next travel budget.
6. Stretch your dollars while you’re away
Even once you’ve budgeted, it’s easy for costs to creep up while you’re in vacation mode. Here are a money-saver:
- Pack your own snacks and refillable water bottles
- Look for free activities (hikes, beach days, local festivals, museum nights)
- Set a daily spending cap to keep things on track
- If travelling abroad, keep an eye on currency exchange rates so you’re not overspending without realizing it
Little things can make a big difference.
7. The best memories are usually the cheapest ones
You probably won’t remember how much you spent on dinner, but you’ll definitely remember the sunsets, the inside jokes, the silly moments in the car, or your kid’s first time seeing the ocean.
So go ahead and plan something that fills your cup without emptying your wallet. You (and your future finances) deserve that kind of peace.
Need help building a savings plan that fits your goals, whether it's for vacations, deployments, or the road ahead? Connect with a SISIP advisor who understands military life and can help you put your plan into action.
And if you want to keep building your financial fitness, join the Money Mastery Portal for tools, tips, and resources designed specifically for CAF members and their families.
