7 Terrific Ways to Find Extra Cash for Traveling ...

If you walk through your house, I'm sure that you will find a bunch of things that you don't need. This can include old electronics, furniture, clothes, books and anything else taking up space inside your closet. If you're looking for ways to find extra cash for traveling, having a yard sale or taking some of your items to a consignment shop can help. For this to work, all proceeds need to go into a vacation fund.

If you have spare change in your pocket, you may be tempted to use this money at a drink machine or perhaps on lunch. But if you put your your spare change in a money jar each day, you may generate a few hundred dollars which can go towards a vacation. This money could pay for a single plane ticket or perhaps one or two nights in a hotel.

In the same way you saved to purchase a home, buy a car or make home improvements, create a vacation fund and set aside money from each paycheck. First, determine how much you need for a vacation, and then decide when you want to take it. Based on these two factors, determine how much you need to set aside from each paycheck to reach the goal.

If you have a credit card with a rewards program, using your card on a regular basis can help you afford a vacation. Use your credit card to pay your mortgage, buy groceries or purchase gasoline. You'll accumulate points with each purchase, and these points can be redeemed for plane tickets, hotels, cruises and car rentals. Just make sure you're able to pay off your credit card each month to avoid debt.

Realistically speaking, your job may not provide the income you need to afford a vacation. Get creative. Think of areas where you can earn extra money. Can you babysit on the weekends? Can you moonlight as a handyman? Could you offer tutoring or music lessons to local children?

This might be a stretch, but if you own your house, consider renting out a spare room or perhaps a couch to travelers. If you live in a tourist area, many travelers will willingly pay top dollar for comfortable accommodations, especially when nearby hotels are booked up. Use sites like airbnb.com to connect with travelers.

If you're a top performer at work, and it's been a while since your last raise, asking for a salary increase can provide the cash you need for a yearly vacation. Schedule a meeting with your boss. However, it isn't enough to just ask for a raise; be ready to sell yourself.

You don't have to be rich or privileged to enjoy a vacation. Often times, it's all about careful planning, but with extra cash in your pocket, your vacation dreams can become a reality. How do you find extra cash for a vacation?