How to save for your family's dream vacation

(NC)—Whether your family likes to take smaller trips each year or you're planning the trip of a lifetime, travelling with a family can be expensive. The good news is there are several ways to make your dream vacation a reality. Stephen Menon, associate vice president, credit cards at TD Canada Trust provides simple tips to help you save for your next family getaway:

• Create a budget – Knowing how much to save starts with determining the full cost of your trip. Think about all the costs associated with your travel, from flights and car rentals to taxis and tips, to get an accurate idea of the total cost of your vacation.

• Create a vacation savings plan – Once you know how much your trip will cost, it's time to start saving. To help you save, consider setting up an automatic transfer of a set amount at regular intervals into a tax-free savings account. Look for ways to cut back on other expenses and add that money to your vacation savings. Saving even a small amount on a regular basis will add up.

• Take advantage of rewards – If you have time before your next trip, use your travel rewards credit card to earn rewards that can help reduce travel expenses down the road. A good travel rewards credit card will allow you to redeem points for any costs associated with your travel, from hotel rooms and baggage fees to transportation and taxes. Just remember to pay the balance in full and on time each month.

• Get the kids involved – Turning your vacation fund into a family project is a great way to teach kids financial responsibility. As kids are more likely to consider spending when the money is their own, encourage your kids to save a portion of their allowance for spending during the vacation.

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