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Whether you are hoping to head somewhere fun and warm for Spring Break this year or thinking about a post-grad European adventure someday, the best way to swing for a trip is to start saving…now.

Break Out The Calculator – Different trips require different levels of planning. If you are heading across the country, your trip will cost hundreds more than a trip to your local beach. Consider all costs and divide that by the number of months you have to save. Once you do that, you’ll have your savings goal.

Go Away For $3.50 A Day – Saving merely $3.50 a day turns into $25 a week, which is $100 a month and a whopping $1,200 a year! Before you make a purchase think about whether or not you’re buying something essential. Every little bit adds up!

Open A Special Savings Account – That $1,200 a year does not include dividends, which is the additional money all that cash will earn when you deposit it in an account at your credit union. Deposit your money each at the credit union week and make your money work for you.

Bump Up Your Savings – Once you have a few hundred dollars in your account, consider bumping up to a Share Certificate, which will provide you with higher yields with little risk. Often with as little as $500, you can move your money into a Share Certificate, which locks your money into a specified term anywhere from 90 days up to 5 years. This means you can’t touch the money until the certificate “matures.” If you do, there will be a hefty penalty; so plan accordingly.

Be Realistic – When you travel, you’ll need more than money for airfare and lodging. Don’t forget money for expenses like food and entertainment. You don’t want to say you traveled to an exotic location and stayed in your hotel room the entire time. If you aren’t doing an all-inclusive trip, make sure you plan for everything that might come up. Even if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, set aside some cash for tours, souvenirs, and tips.

Tell Your Friends – Perhaps most importantly, be sure you share these tips with your friends so you have a travel partner! Bon voyage!

You never know what can happen, right? You can run into car trouble, a crashed computer or even unexpected health issues. No matter what happens, you should be prepared financially to handle the unexpected costs that might come your way.

To do this, you should build an emergency fund. An emergency fund will offer peace of mind and give you a bit of a safety net. Here’s how to get started:

Build your emergency fund based on your income. When you receive your monthly or weekly paycheck, allot a separate, predetermined amount for savings, spending and for your emergency fund. Although you might take your time building this fund and it might start quite small, the point is, it will be there when you need it.

Don’t ever tap into the account until you absolutely need it. If you are thinking about dipping into the funds, think about the potential emergencies that could arise; hopefully, this will curb your urge.

If something does happen, calculate the costs and be ready to use the funds. Although you might feel a little guilty about spending the money you worked so hard to save, remember it is there specifically for emergencies and was created to help cushion your pocket when these things happen.

An emergency fund is a great thing to have and allows you to be ready for the worst. And think about it – if you never have to use the money, it is there as additional savings and will make you feel more comfortable about your financial status.