Years ago, banks had weekly vacation banking accounts for their customers. I don't know if that has continued, but if your bank does not have such a savings vehicle, you can make your own vacation account. Start saving now for your next vacation without dipping in the emergency fund.

If you have to forego your usual vacation this year, you may have children and think they will be heart-broken if you don't get away, maybe they will be. But perhaps not as heart-broken as you think, so take heart and start saving now for next year's family vacation. Get your children involved. You can make saving for vacation fun and fairly painless. All you need is purpose and a vacation money jar.

Have a Plan and a Goal

Planning starts with the adult(s) who will set the minimum weekly amount, $10 per week for $520, plus interest; or $20 per week for $1040, plus interest. Your children can help by placing change or a dollar in the vacation jar whenever they have extra money or want to contribute to the vacation fund. Any large jar with a lid will do. Remove the old label and replace it with a picture of your dream vacation destination. Saving for a trip to Disney World? Find a picture of Mickey Mouse or something else appropriate and paste it on the vacation jar.

When you have opened your family vacation account, hold meetings and gather information for the trip. Each time you make your weekly trip to the bank, report to the children, or take them with you. Show them the change in the dollar amount in the bank book as the money grows, it will serve as an incentive to help make the money grow faster.

Next year, you will truly have a "family" vacation. Also, you will have taught your children a valuable lesson in finance.

This year plan something fun that is low cost and nearby. Do a search online by typing family things to do in (your state), things to do in (your state) or family events in (your state). It is that easy. If there is a Chamber of Commerce in your area, call to see if they can give you some guidance. If you are near a large hotel, Hyatt, Hilton, etc., they often have free brochures of places and events in the area. Some bus and train stations/terminals have them as well. And of course, check out your library resources.

"Are we there yet?"