You’ve pored over brochures, checked out Lonely Planet reviews and written up some must-dos for your upcoming holiday. Now try a few easy steps to keep your holiday spending under control.
Develop a travel budget
A budget lets you plan ahead for all the holiday costs you face, and it’s a great way to avoid being stung by overlooked expenses. Make a list of the essentials you need to pay for including:
- Air fares
- Accommodation
- Transport and car hire
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Foreign currency.
Then work out how much you are likely to spend each day on food, entertainment, tours and sightseeing. Don’t overlook hidden costs like phone calls home, and remember to allow a bit extra so that you have cash in case of an emergency.
Add up these totals to reach your overall holiday budget.
Grow a pool of savings
Saving a nest egg of cash to fund your holiday budget makes a lot of sense. It means you can spend up on souvenirs guilt-free, take those exciting day tours, or try a few fining dining hot spots without worrying about how you’ll pay for it all.
Even better, building holiday savings means you don’t have to arrive home saddled with a mountain of debt – something that can quickly take the shine off your vacation.
To reach your holiday budget, divide the total amount you need by the number of months or weeks left until your trip. This represents how much you need to save on a regular basis.
Open a separate savings account
Opening a separate savings account purpose-built to grow your holiday stash can be a great motivator to help you save. Stick to your savings goal by setting up a regular transfer of cash from your everyday account to your holiday savings account. Remember, the sooner you start, the less you need to tuck away on a regular basis to meet your holiday budget.
Save steady
Look for ways to actively grow your savings, all year round. Have a coin jar at home or work where you store your small change. When it’s full, add the cash to your savings account – every bit helps.
Look for ways to earn bonus interest to encourage you to save steady. When you open a ME EveryDay Transaction Account and make a weekly tap & goTM purchase, each month you’ll earn bonus interest for balances up to $250,000 on your first ME Online Savings Account.^ That’s extra money in your pocket.
There are no monthly account-keeping fees, no minimum balance or monthly deposit requirements and you can access your cash at any time without penalty, in case you find a hot air fare or great hotel deal on the fly. Our rates are ongoing so you can start saving for your next holiday as soon as you get back, to cure the holiday hangover.
Track your progress
Check your savings account regularly to keep an eye on how you’re progressing. Relish reaching small milestones because it means you are one step closer to your dream holiday.
things you should know.
*Variable interest rate is current as at <today’s date> and subject to change.
Online Savings Account (OSA) bonus interest terms and conditions
^To receive bonus interest on your OSA for any calendar month you must have a ME EveryDay Transaction Account (ETA) and during that month make a weekly purchase with your ETA debit MasterCardTM using PayPass Tap & Go. Bonus interest is only payable on balances up to $250,000 on your first OSA. Bonus interest is not payable on OSAs opened before 10/08/15. In any month we may without notice waive the requirement for you to meet all of these bonus interest conditions. We may change or withdraw the bonus interest offer at any time
Other important information
Fees and charges apply. Click here for full terms and conditions to the Everyday Transaction Account and Online Savings Account. This is general information only and you should consider if these products are appropriate for you. Members Equity Bank Ltd. ABN 56 070 887 679.
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