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Saving For Alaska

July 16, 2025 With only a week until our family trip to Alaska, I’ve been trying to save as much money as possible.
How do I save? I try to spend less than what I’ve budgeted. For example, I budget $350 for groceries each month. This month, I wanted to spend less than that. So, while meal planning (which is so helpful for budgeting, eating healthy, and saving time!), I looked in the freezer to see what I already had. I also planned inexpensive meals. This month, I’m on track to save over $100.
I also try to reduce the money I spend on fun. I don’t avoid having fun—I just choose activities that cost less. This includes hiking with friends and family, playing games, borrowing books from the library, grabbing coffee with Shaela, and watching TV at home with Hayden. These choices have saved me about $150. My saving for the month adds up to $250 that I can use for Alaska!
Don’t Lose Faith—Challenge Yourself!
While hiking with a friend this week, we talked about finances. She’s frustrated, believing she doesn’t have enough in her monthly budget to save anything. I know that frustration. I often ask myself how I can be even more frugal than I already am. But then I remind myself—it isn’t just about being frugal. It’s about prioritizing where the money goes.
One thing that has helped me kick-start saving for any goal is challenging myself to a “No Spend Month.” This simply means I try not to spend money on anything beyond essentials like groceries, gas, and bills. The money I save goes toward something specific. When I do this, I let Shaela and Hayden know ahead of time, so they understand we won’t be spending money on extras. I don’t expect perfection, but I do push myself to spend as little as possible.
One thing I tell myself that helps me stay on track is: “This is temporary—it’s only for one month.” I also remind myself of the goal and where the money is going. This challenge helps me realize how much I normally spend on things that prevent me from saving—things like dining out, Amazon purchases, and coffee shop visits.
After a “No Spend” month, I often adjust my budget to make saving possible, even if it’s just a little. If a full month sounds like too much, try a “No Spend Week” and work your way up. The most important part is having a clear goal. For me, it was easier to save, knowing the money was going toward our trip. My next goal is to pay off my car.
Write down your goal. Use a gun tracker. Don’t give up. Celebrate every dollar you save. You can do it! You might also be interested in From debt reduction to smarter saving, Project Money transformed my finances—discover the lessons that changed everything... Financial freedom means control, not wealth. I’m guiding my kids early—open talks, goals, IRAs, and celebrating wins... Kelli’s prepping for retirement at 50 by boosting savings, opening a Roth, and learning to invest smart... Kelli’s mindset shift = power: she’s tackling surprise costs with strategy, not stress. Financial freedom starts with intention and control... Kelli shares how intentional budgeting brings freedom—not restriction. Saying no today means saying yes to your bigger goals tomorrow... Kelli revamped her budget by prioritizing needs, goals, and learning—turning mindful spending into meaningful financial progress... Learning to live debt-free, Kelli pays cash for college, budgets tightly, and uses envelopes to stay focused on her financial goals... Kelli got a glimpse of financial ease this summer—budgeting stayed strong, stress eased, and small, consistent steps proved key to lasting financial confidence... Kelli shares how working with her coach helped her reset her budget, stay flexible, and prioritize saving—all while celebrating a debt-free vacation...