How I did iT: Paying For Family Vacation In $1.00 bills and Change

Okay! So figured my comeback post could be about something we all wish we could do and were better at: SAVING!

Saving money wasn't something I was always good at or thought about doing. It actually really wasn't that easy for me until about a couple years ago. I work in the hospitality industry, so 5 days a week sometimes 6, I am bring home all cash. This gave me the advantage of dividing my money up and depositing what I had into my account only when I needed it because I was receiving checks too. What I started doing was taking part of what I made every time I worked and setting it aside. My goal was $200.00 a month. When I would reach my $200.00 goal I would deposit it into my savings.

$200.00 became $400.00 then $600.00 and then before I knew it I had $1000.00! WOAH! (lol) What my thought was exactly, when I was 22-23! Now I am rich and I can go shop at Target and buy whatever I want, right?! WRONG! Granted yes at the time this was a lot and yes it still is a lot, most people don't have $1000.00 just sitting in their savings account and there are some people who do. Regardless 94% of people today would like to have a better grip on their finances and have more savings. It's a security thing, you feel safe and secure, and to say at least I have something to fall back on even if it is "only" $1000.00. 

Well, it wasn't until a couple years ago that I actually started saving all my $1.00 bills. Now my boyfriend helps and so whenever we spend cash or when I come home from work, no matter how many $1.00 bills I have I save them all. It is easy and simple, it doesn't seem like it will ever be a lot or that it will take forever but you will be surprised. Before you know it you will have more than you ever expected. 

We decided that we would use our $1.00 bills and all our change we save for our family vacation we take every summer. We have a separate account that we put our $1.00 bills in and for the change we just take to a coin machine, even though you have to give a percentage to the company it is easier for us. Its nice because we use that account for our trip and things we need for the trip so we don't feel like we are going out of pocket or worry about bills coming out because its all separated, its a nice reward for us and stress free! 

What are some ways you save and how do you plan you family vacations for summer?