There is no greater motivator than necessity, and while this is true with serious matters, like paying the bills, it’s also true for other, more leisurely things, like planning a vacation. If you’re hoping to go on vacation soon, there are a few steps you can take to assure that you save up enough for a comfortable and fun trip.

Cook lunch. It almost sounds too easy, right? But cooking instead of buying food can save you more than $20 a week. Add that up, and it may hurt to find out just how much you spend on food per month.

Take public transportation instead of driving. If you have a choice, then public transportation is always the most affordable option. Even when Metrocards go up, you don’t have to worry about car and insurance payments.

Ask yourself: Do I really need this? Be honest with yourself. Most of the times, what you hold in your hand is a want, not a need.

Remember that the item you want will be there later. Unless we’re talking some designer dress or something in demand, what you want will be available to you later on, when you’re not budgeting for a trip.

Decide to save, and stick to it. Make the firm decision to save as much as you can, and then stick to it – even when it’s tempting to splurge.

How do you go about saving for a trip?