The best time to start saving for next summer’s family vacation is usually the fall before you plan to travel. Starting in September or October gives families several months to build a travel fund before airfare, lodging, meals, and activities begin competing for their attention. Waiting until spring can turn an enjoyable trip into a scramble to find extra cash.
There is another advantage to starting early: families gain more control over the kind of vacation they can afford. A household that saves steadily can compare destinations, adjust its plans, and pay for more expenses upfront. That beats returning home with wonderful memories and a credit card balance that follows the family into autumn.
